Rotary Club of Sussex President Kathy Cole was on hand at Crosswinds Centre to present a cheque for $1,000 to support of Community-Academic Services Program (CASP).
CASP is an adult literacy program providing hundreds of adults in Sussex and surrounding areas with reading, writing and numeracy skills over the past ten years. For the past five years, the Sussex CASP has targeted the local disabled population, however, the program is open to everyone.
At present, CASP has more than 40 students enrolled in the program. CASP instructor Pat McGovern custom designs the curriculum for each learner based on his or her interests so that topics are exciting and relevant...
Crosswinds is the sponsoring body for CASP in Sussex. CASP is primarily funded by Literacy New Brunswick. However, each year the local CASP must raise $3,000 to deliver this program in Sussex. “Rotary has been an important financial sponsor of our program for many years,” stated Crosswinds manager Wanda Steeves, “without local support, our program could not continue.”
“2004-2005 is a special year for Rotary International,” explains President Kathy Cole, “This is our Centennial year. Rotarians around the world are being asked by our International President to address literacy issues, and we are proud to be able to support this very worthwhile local literacy program”.
Rotary International Director David Roper reinforces why literacy programs are so important. “Adults who can’t read can’t help their children to read, and the cycle of illiteracy and poverty is passed on. The ramifications of illiteracy are endless,” said Roper. “Helping people to achieve literacy and numeracy skills and become self-sufficient is the most critical tool available for fighting poverty. Regardless of the community, there are many opportunities for Rotarians to promote literacy.”
The twenty-three members of the Rotary Club of Sussex are part of a worldwide network of more than 1.2 million Rotarians who work to address various community and international service needs.