Centennial College held a special celebration in September to commemorate how far its Corrections Literacy Initiative (CLI) has come in just five years, helping over 300 students.
The Corrections Literacy Initiative is funded jointly by the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development, and the Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services, with the mission of helping individuals who are incarcerated, through courses designed to strengthen essential skills in mathematics, English communications, biology and other life skills necessary for re-integration. Centennial College's program serves incarcerated students at the East Toronto Detention Centre, and gives them a chance to re-enter society with new abilities, and with a Certificate of Completion at the end. The College also provides supports when students leave the facility, like employment or apprenticeship services.
Centennial accepted funding to deliver the program in 2017 because of a firm belief that education is everyone's right. Today, Centennial remains the only Ontario college service provider of the program.
What the Corrections Literacy Initiative is about
Centennial College's CLI program, delivered through the School of English and Liberal Studies (formerly the School of Advancement), offers preparatory courses in English Communications, Mathematics, Biology and Mental Health. While the courses cover familiar topics, instructors have to adapt their work to a unique learning environment. Everything is paper-based, because technology isn't allowed in, and lessons happen one-on-one or in small groups, explained Falguni Shukla, Part-Time Program Coordinator and Professor at Centennial.
Falguni emphasized that she's teaching more than just academic skills, she's also teaching an entire mindset, as a part of a course called Building the Resilient Self, which imparts self-management, and social emotional skills required for participation in higher education and the labour market.
Falguni counts it as a success when former students are released and seek out employment services on campus.
"We never ask the students about their offenses, but we do talk about supports, and what has made them come to be incarcerated. And much of it is socio-economic conditions. I do want people to know that being incarcerated doesn't mean that a person is bad. And I think everyone is deserving of a second chance."
Celebration night
On September 12, Centennial held a celebration with a host of guests from the College, elected officials, and the Corrections Literacy Initiative, to mark the program's five-year anniversary.
"This represents the culmination of a learning journey for students who may never have seen themselves being part of such a transformative journey," said Dr. Craig Stephenson, President and CEO of Centennial College. "This truly resonates with our vision of transforming lives and communities through learning and our commitment to access, equal opportunity and community development."
"The Corrections Literacy Initiative gives students a runway, preparing them to enter post-secondary programs, apprenticeships, or the labour market," added Joy Boatswain, Chair Workforce Development, Employment Services and Academic Upgrading.
A part of the night was the unveiling of a book of art, writing and poetry from students that have taken part in the program. The event also included audio and video messages from different justice-involved learners, sharing how the Corrections Literacy Initiative had helped them.
"Since 2017, our Corrections Literacy Initiative has ignited a spark in over 300 students, helping some enter the world of post-secondary education, and others find employment in the labour market," said Dr. Meera Mather, Dean of the School of English and Liberal Studies. "The journey of students from the Corrections Literacy Initiative has been nothing short of inspirational. As they continue to break barriers and soar high, Centennial is right beside students, cheering them on, and providing pathways within the School of English and Liberal Studies and across the College to help them build a brighter, more promising future."
This Employment Ontario program is funded in part by the Government of Canada and the Government of Ontario.
