Vancouver/CMEDIA: The continued support reportedly by British Columbia (BC)’s literacy programs would facilitate children and families throughout the province to keep building stronger futures through reading and everyday learning.
“Literacy helps people thrive in every part of life and is the foundation of strong communities…From reading a bedtime story to filling out a job application, literacy is a powerful tool that supports children’s development and helps all of us connect to opportunity, community and each other,” Christine Boyle, Minister of Housing and Municipal Affairs said.
With its continued annual support, the BC government provides $500,000 to the Raise-a-Reader campaign to support literacy for young readers and families in increasing awareness, and by raising money to fund community-based programs throughout BC Since 2017, the Province has donated $4.5 million to the campaign.
“Raise-a-Reader is a vital source of family literacy funding across British Columbia, particularly in rural, remote, and northern communities…newcomer families to access child care, sports and after-school programs, supported community gardens that connect literacy with environmental action, and, through a partnership with Poverty Advocacy Nanaimo, created opportunities for children to build confidence and find joy in reading and learning, ” said Sandra Lee, executive director, Decoda Literacy Solutions.
As an essential skill, literacy helps people succeed at school and work and gives confidence in navigating everyday life.
Curiosity and creativity are sparked by reading, provide valuable and fun learning opportunities to children through daily routines. Emotional growth and well-being are supported by reading together and facilitates opening up conversations among children and caregivers, helping build stronger bonds.
“Books BC applauds the Province’s sustained investment in Raise-a-Reader’s mission to ensure literacy programs are accessible by all British Columbians, regardless of age, geographic location or English language ability…Books are a pathway to exploration, increased empathy and lifelong learning. Fostering a love of reading also helps to strengthen B.C.’s publishing industry, which contributes over $57 million to the provincial GDP and sustains hundreds of B.C. jobs,” said Matea Kulić, executive director, Association of Book Publishers of BC (Books BC).
Organized by the Vancouver Sun and delivered in partnership with Decoda Literacy Solutions, this year’s Raise-a-Reader campaign will run from Fri Sept 19 until Fri, Sept 26 and would help fund programs that focus on young readers and families.
To purchase and share reading materials, donations support further development of reading programs in community organizations, public libraries and schools, as well as host community events focused on awareness and building literacy skills throughout BC.
Created by the Vancouver Sun newspaper in 1997, the Raise-a-Reader fundraising and awareness campaign has generated more than $24 million to support literacy programs in BC.
Also supporting literacy through annual investments, the BC government invests $2.185 million for Decoda Literacy Solutions, $65,000 for the BC Summer Reading Club, $14 million in public library operating funding, and $3.4 million for Community Adult Literacy Programs throughout BC.
$56 million for public libraries has been provided by the BC government since 2020 to address growing demand and to ensure libraries can keep providing the services people rely on.
Also included in this funding is an historic one-time grant of $45 million, issued in 2023 to expand digital collections, improve programming and hours and make libraries more accessible and welcoming.
