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A Fond Farewell to Ali Wassing

5/23/2017

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PictureOutgoing Executive Director, Ali Wassing (L) with CBAL Chair, Allison Alder (R).
Recently, the staff and volunteers of the Columbia Basin Alliance for Literacy (CBAL) gathered to say goodbye and thank you Ali Wassing. Ali is moving into retirement after 10 years as the executive director of CBAL.

Ali is humble and prefers to stay out of the spotlight. She provided inspirational support to the CBAL team as she quietly went about her work. When it came time to hire a new executive director, we panicked a bit. How would we manage without her? Ali had been our guide and had cheered us on for so long.

While at CBAL’s helm, Ali provided visionary leadership. She guided the organization through challenging times. Ali knew where to focus, and she could see the possibilities for CBAL. She grew this organization into a model non-profit that is respected throughout the province and across Canada.

Ali was accountable to many people and for many things. She was responsible to the thousands of CBAL learners and to the 77 CBAL communities. She was answerable to the hundreds of volunteers and staff and to dozens of partners and funders.  Ali had to motivate the CBAL team to grow while looking after the risks of growth.

Ali did all of this so that the staff and volunteers could focus on what’s important - changing and improving people’s lives. Because of Ali’s work, we could devote ourselves to our work. We knew that there would be money for juice, stickers and books. We knew that there would be an office out of which to work. We knew that our funders and partners would stay happy and continue to fund CBAL’s work.

When I asked, “What is it that makes Ali such a special executive director?” the response I got was, “She’s everywhere!” Because of this, her legacy is everywhere. The seeds of literacy and lifelong learning are taking root everywhere.

We wish for Ali to continue “being everywhere” in her retirement – travelling, experiencing new things, enjoying family and friends while knowing that she has strengthened the CBAL foundation. She has left her mark in the best way possible. For that, we thank you, Ali, and we wish you all the best.

Allison Alder
Board Chair

Columbia Basin Alliance for Literacy 

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Learning What We Need to Know

5/23/2017

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PictureJean at the Adult Tutoring program in Kimberley.
My dad was the only one of five boys in his family to complete high school. Back then, a lack of schooling still meant that work was available and that it could provide for a good life. I was reminded of this personal experience when Jean walked through our door with a cookbook tucked under his arm; his goal was to learn to read recipes and change to a healthier diet.

​Jean is a talented musician, avid outdoorsman and a father of three. He had worked in the construction and forest industry since the age of 15 and had never had an opportunity to learn to read. At the age of 70, he embarked on a new journey. “I wanted to learn to read, to be more independent, and I don’t think it’s ever too late to start,” Jean says. “Each week I learn more, and the more I learn, the more I want to learn!”


Jean considers his weekly tutoring sessions to be ‘school’. His grocery shopping dictionary has expanded. Reading nutrition labels helps him make the best food choices and reading flyers helps him find the best prices. Curiosity about his own heritage has led him to read stories about the Inuit and Mi’kmaq. He loves to learn more about famous musicians and their music because he has listened to their songs and played them on his guitar for years. Planning fishing trips to northern lakes has meant studying maps and learning of far away places.

As adults, we find ways to learn what we need to know. CBAL programs can help along this path. Many who come to CBAL learn how to manage their finances, use an iPad, write their life stories or feed their family healthy food on a budget (to name a few). Some adults, like Jean, who didn’t have the opportunity to complete their public schooling have the courage to start back at the beginning.

It’s never too late to start. Time is precious and it’s extremely rewarding to work with those who continue to inspire us with their enthusiasm and dedication to life long learning.

CBAL provides adult tutoring in many areas. For more information, please visit the Community Programs page on our website.

Carol Fairhurst
Community Literacy Coordinator – Kimberley
Columbia Basin Alliance for Literacy

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A Special Kind of Volunteer Tutor

5/23/2017

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PictureVolunteer tutor Derek Brown
Tutoring adults takes patience, kindness and enthusiasm. Often these qualities are more important than anything else. When  adult learners step forward to ask for help, we want to be able to respond by matching them up with the right volunteer.

For some people, the task of helping a special needs learner can seem overwhelming, but not for CBAL tutor, Derek Brown. Derek spent decades coaching both local and provincial youth baseball and hockey teams. He enjoyed the times when he had special needs athletes on his teams. As a volunteer with CBAL, Derek has spent the past four years tutoring a special needs learner in Grand Forks.

This year he took on a second student, and things couldn’t be better. “[Tutoring] is an opportunity to give back,” said Derek of why he chose to become a CBAL tutor. “It’s fun watching somebody grow.”

Derek heard about CBAL’s tutoring program while taking a course at Community Futures. After retirement, he was looking for part-time work to keep him busy. Former Boundary Community Literacy Coordinator, Sheila Dobie, inspired him to try his hand at tutoring. He’s been volunteering ever since.

Derek said the most important thing to remember about tutoring special needs learners is to adjust your expectations. “With my learner, I had high expectations of him at first. I learned to be flexible with him and that he doesn’t like homework.”  Derek said being open minded and adaptable in how you help your learners is also important.

He likes to make sure his tutoring sessions are practical and based on the interests of his learners. His current two learners are interested in hockey. He often has field trips into the community where they practice reading signs and reflect on safety.

CBAL depends on over 200 volunteers like Derek. Our volunteers tutor, help at our programs and events, and participate in our Community Literacy Planning Committees. Thank you to all of our volunteers who make such a big difference!

Are you interested in becoming a CBAL volunteer? For more information, please visit the Community Programs page on our website.
​

Erin Perkins
Community Literacy Coordinator – Boundary
Columbia Basin Alliance for Literacy

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