DOUGLAS COLLEGE
I-CARE program celebrates 40 years of improving adult literacy

Douglas College's award-winning I-CARE literacy program is celebrating 40 years of helping adults improve their basic reading, writing and spelling skills.

Launched in 1978, I-CARE provides one-on-one tutoring that addresses the specific needs of adults once a week at a time that works for them. The program, supported by about 40 volunteer tutors, serves approximately 30 to 50 adults each year. Students get an individual learning assessment, free materials, a safe place to study and ongoing support.

"I-CARE learners have a lot of courage and we are honoured to be part of their stories," said Nancy Walker, I-CARE Coordinator. "Over the years, so many of our students have been able to find jobs, move forward in their careers, continue their education - and in all cases, face the day with greater confidence."

According to Statistics Canada and the International Adult Literacy and Skills Survey conducted in 2003, 48 percent of Canadians aged 16 and over do not meet the minimum literacy skill level required to be considered employable or to meet the information demands of our society. This may present as difficulty understanding newspapers, following instruction manuals and dealing with other daily living tasks.

"When adults have more literacy skills, they are empowered to choose work they want, to leave unhealthy and unsafe situations and to advocate for themselves," said Walker. "In short, they have more opportunities to take part in life in a fuller way. I-CARE helps adults get those skills."

I-CARE received the Literacy Program/Service Excellence Award from the Association of Canadian Community Colleges in 1990 and was nominated for a Council of the Federation Literacy Award in 2016.

Anyone interested in receiving tutoring through the I-CARE program can phone 604 527 5409. Interested volunteers can contact Nancy Walker at walkern@douglascollege.ca; I-CARE recruits new volunteers once a year and provides five days of tutor training during the Winter Semester.