Lifelong Education and Resource Network (L.E.A.R.N.)

Posted by Dan Kammerer 
on May 26, 2015
 
Speaker: Deanna Arelis from L.E.A.R.N.
Lifelong Education and Resource Network (L.E.A.R.N.)
L.E.A.R.N. is part of a provincially funded system called the Community Adult Learning Program.
 
This program enables communities to increase cooperation and coordination among leading education providers, increase their capacity to identify gaps and meet needs, and promote and support learning locally to benefit individuals and the community.  This program focuses on family literacy and programming and it has been in existence for 40 years.  It is a board run local society. 
 
Basic Foundational Skills and Literacy:
  • English Language Learners are people who are not literate in their own language, which is English.
  • 40% of Albertans have a basic level of reading only
  • 14% of Albertans can’t read the instructions on a medicine bottle
These people are not typically looking for this help.  They have may have lots of other concerns in their life that they have to deal with like financial, children, etc.  L.E.A.R.N. is trying to help people to become lifelong learners.  Adults will often join to help their children and therefore this program yields benefits to families, children and communities. 
 
LEARN often partners with different agencies in the community such as Parent-Link, local librarians, Metis and Aboriginal groups and Parents-As-Teachers Program (PAT).  Currently they have a pilot program with PAT based on the Magic Carpet Ride that helps parents learn to let their child lead and involves art, movement and songs.   The programming is free and they provide transportation and childcare.  Intensive programs are set-up for 10 families and are 20 weeks in length. 
 
 
To find out if you can benefit from L.E.A.R.N., please visit: