Our bi-weekly newsletter promotes free learning opportunities for everyone in Mount Waddington communities on North Vancouver Island and shares literacy news and events.
In this issue: • New Literacy Outreach Coordinator • National Volunteer Week • Poetry Month • Family LEGO Party • Adult Literacy Programs • Drop-in Reading-Writing-Computer Practice • Conversation Club • Mother Goose Programs • Peer Support Training • Parenting Support Group • We’re Hiring
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NEWS
New MWFLS Literacy Outreach Coordinator!
MWFLS is pleased to announce Kelly Anderson as our new Literacy Outreach Coordinator (LOC)!
Kelly has been our Mother Goose on the Go program coordinator for the past 5 years. She will continue in this early/family literacy role and will now also support community literacy as LOC.
“I am so excited to work in this position and further support family literacy in the North Island,” said Kelly. “Being program coordinator for Mother Goose has shown me how valuable it is to strengthen early literacy foundations in families and becoming Literacy Outreach Coordinator felt like a natural expansion to this.”
The Literacy Outreach Coordinator works with communities to identify gaps and implement literacy programs. They coordinate literacy tutoring programs at local elementary schools, provide tutor training, hold literacy events and bring books and literacy activities to public events.
You can contact Kelly at: mwmothergoose@gmail.com
National Volunteer Week April 14-20
Thank you to our volunteer Board of Directors!
A special thank you Jennifer Barolet for her contribution and commitment as a Board Director and Secretary for many years.
We welcome new board members Kathleen Cooper and Jill Cook!
These dedicated professionals with a passion for literacy help guide our organization and support our staff.
- Kathy Martin – Board Chair
- Jill Cook – Board Director *new
- Kathleen Cooper – Board Director *new
- Stacia Johnson – Board Director
- Laura Kaminker – Board Director
- Donna Merry – Board Director
Thank you to our program volunteers!
Thank you to the volunteers in our One-to-One reading tutor, adult literacy, and United Way School’s Out programs. You are making a difference in our communities!
It’s also a great time to volunteer! We have volunteer opportunities in all these areas. Make a difference in your hometown by supporting local students and adults with their learning.
#EveryMomentMatters #NVW2024
April is Poetry Month!
This blog from Decoda Literacy is full of resources for listening to, reading and writing poetry! , like 40 Inspiring Poetry Games and Activities for Kids and Teens
Professional Development at Literacy Conference
Some of our staff will be participating in the Decoda Literacy Conference April 17-19. The conference theme is “Literacy: The Ripple Effect.”
Literacy touches every aspect of people’s lives. Literacy programs, supports and practitioners have a ripple effect throughout communities. Literacy intersects with and contributes to our health, employment, food security, personal wellbeing, continued learning, communication, community and the economy.
The conference will have keynote speakers (our local Marine Detective, Jackie Hildering is one of the keynote speakers), networking, workshops and learning sessions on a variety of literacy topics.
We are grateful to the Government of BC for providing extra funds for literacy practitioners’ professional development this year!
EVENTS
LEGO Family Party!
Join us for family creation time and take home a LEGO kit!
Tuesday, May 7, 2024, 6:00 – 7:00 p.m.
Port Hardy Civic Centre, 7400 Columbia Street, Port Hardy
Ways to register:
- Online
- In person at Port Hardy Recreation: Monday to Friday, 8:30 am – 3:30 pm
- Phone 250.949.6686 ext. 201 to register with a credit card or debit Visa
Healthy Kids Fair
Fun activities, developmental check-ins, resource materials, snacks, crafts, games and more from North Island Crisis & Counselling Centre Society, School District 85 and PacificCare Family Enrichment Society.
Port McNeill
Tuesday, April 16, 2024, 10:30 am – 2:30 pm
Cheslakees Elementary School
Port Hardy
Wednesday, April 17, 2024, 10:30 am – 2:30 pm
Eagle View Elementary School
PROGRAMS
Mother Goose on the Go program schedule
🧸 Parents and caregivers of little ones... Join Mother Goose on the Go for a free family literacy program in North Vancouver Island communities.
A trained ‘Mother Goose’ leads a group of parents and children in fun and engaging rhymes, songs, stories, and crafts. These basic activities with children provide the building blocks for early attachment and literacy.
- Wednesdays, 10 a.m.
Vancouver Island Regional Library, 7110 Market St. ,Port Hardy - Thursdays, 9:30 a.m.
StrongStart, Robert Scott in the gym, 6855 Market St., Port Hardy - Saturdays, 10:30 a.m.
VIRL, 1584 Broughton Blvd., Port McNeill - Saturdays, 11:00 a.m.
Sointula Preschool, Sointula
Storytime 5 days a week at Vancouver Island Regional Library
Visit Port Hardy VIRL for family Storytime!
Tuesday – Saturday 10 – 10:30 a.m., 7110 Market St., Port hardy
Adult Literacy Programs
Our community adult literacy programs (CALP) support lifelong learning.
Learn in small groups or have one-on-one sessions with tutors who can help you reach your goals.
We can help you improve skills in:
- Financial literacy: numbers, budgeting, banking, healthy shopping on a budget with recipes.
- Reading: recipes, books, magazines, reading to children, literature
- Writing: filling out forms, applications, academic essay writing practice
- Speaking and Conversation Club
- Digital literacy (using online search engines effectively, finding the information you need)
- Computer literacy: how to use a computer + Windows 365 (Word, Exel, Power Point)
For information or questions, please contact our Adult Literacy Coordinator, Stephanie Coe at: mwadultliteracy@gmail.com
Adult Reading-Writing-Computer Practice Drop-in
Port McNeill
Tuesdays 3:30-5:00 pm & Thursdays, 5:30- 7:00 pm
A-Frame Church, 175 Cedar Street, Port McNeill
Port Hardy
Mondays, 4:00-5:30 pm, Wednesdays, 5:30-7pm
St. Columba Church, 9190 Granville Street (across from the hospital)
Conversation Club
Port McNeill
Tuesday, April 23, 6:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Port McNeill Museum (upstairs), 351 Shelley Crescent, Port McNeill (by the old school)
Port Hardy
Monday, April 22, 5:30-6:30 pm (Next session April 29)
St. Columba Church, 9190 Granville Street (across from the hospital)
We’re looking for tutors!
Make a difference in your community. Share your love of reading, writing, math or computers with others.
We’re looking for tutors who want to volunteer for the Community Adult Literacy Program. Training available!
For information or questions, please contact our Adult Literacy Coordinator, Stephanie Coe at: mwadultliteracy@gmail.com
Digital Literacy
For digital literacy or the Connect4Work program contact us!
For information or questions, please contact our Adult Literacy Coordinator, Stephanie Coe at: mwadultliteracy@gmail.com
VOLUNTEER & JOB OPPORTUNITIES
We’re hiring!
Mother Goose on the Go storytellers (Port McNeill & Sointula)
- Part-time
- $18.50 per hour
- Training provided
Volunteer as an adult learning tutor!
Share your love of reading, writing, math or computers with others. Training available!
Contact Stephanie Coe at: mwadultliteracy@gmail.com
RESOURCES
Port Hardy Spring Recreation Guide
See what Port Hardy Recreation and other organizations are offering (including MWFLS!) in the new Spring 2024 Port Hardy Recreation Guide!
Children with Anxiety & Depression Parenting Support Group
Join a Parenting Support Group to share your experiences and challenges and get support from fellow caregivers who understand your journey.
Sundays at 7:30 pm via Zoom. Free from Parent Support Services Society of BC
Rural Peer Support Fundamentals Training from Stigma-Free Society
Registration is now open: sign up for Stigma-Free Society’s Rural Peer Support Fundamentals Training!
April 23 & 30, 2024, 8:30 am – 3:00 pm PST
Registration fee: $50
We’re here to help.
The Mount Waddington Family Literacy Society works with communities, schools and organizations to support literacy and learning on North Vancouver Island.
We can assist with your literacy projects and program ideas through fund finding, letters of support and by connecting you with our many resources.
Please reach out to us through
- our Facebook page @mwfamilyliteracy
- by email to
- executive Director Naomi Heith mwliteracy.executivedirector@gmail.com
- Mother Goose on the Go Coordinator and Literacy Outreach Coordiator Kelly Anderson at mwmothergoose@gmail.com
- Community Adult Literacy Program Coordinator Steph Coe at mwadultliteracy@gmail.com
The Mount Waddington Family Literacy Society works with communities, schools and organizations to support literacy and learning for people of all ages on North Vancouver Island.
Thank you
Your support makes a difference in our communities!
Your donation will help provide books, literacy programming and other supports that directly benefit our North Vancouver Island communities.
Ways to give:
- Donate on our Mount Waddington Family Literacy Society secure Canadahelps.org webpage
- Mail a cheque to Mount Waddington Family Literacy Society Box 46, Port McNeill, BC V0N 2R0
- Contact: mwfamilyliteracy@gmail.com
Visit the MWFLS web site:
mwliteracynow.wordpress.com
Follow us on Facebook
One way you can help spread the word is by following our Facebook page @mwfamilyliteracy and sharing literacy news with your friends.
You never know who it might help!
Subscribe to this newsletter
Land acknowledgement
The Mount Waddington Family Literacy Society is grateful to serve on the traditional, unceded territory of the Kwakwaka’wakw Peoples.
Thank you to our supporters Decoda Literacy Solutions, Province of British Columbia and United Way British Columbia.
SUBSCRIBE or Unsubscribe to this newsletter by emailing Trish Weatherall at trishliteracynow@gmail.com
Mount Waddington Family Literacy Society 