TRAILS AROUND THE PROVINCE

Community Literacy Ontario | Ontario Trillium Foundation Grant

Trails to Literacy Around the Province was an expansion of our original project. Through further National Literacy Secretariat and Ministry of Training, Colleges & Universities funding (September 2001to August 2002), the original project was promoted to other literacy agencies and organizations across the province. Workshops, coaching (on and off-line), networking and the internet were communication tools used in this second phase. Such methods allowed us to share the benefits of 'participatory, collaborative, and authentic' learning practices with other literacy agencies, as well as market Trails' positive aspects to a wider audience.

The Trails concept was promoted throughout the province to a large number of literacy agencies around Ontario. Sharing experiences from the projects and the benefits of Trails to Literacy helped other groups see how the Trails concept could work in their community. Our speaking engagements, press coverage and website gave Trails, and thereby literacy, a higher profile throughout the province.

Productive partnerships between Literacy and Basic Skills (LBS) programs and the public at large were effectively demonstrated through the development of the seven pilot Trails projects. The groups worked with a variety of partners and volunteers, such as: Ontario Works providers, municipal representatives, trails committees, provincial interest groups, museum directors, environmental organizations, local experts, etc.

Research was done to seek corporate sponsorship for Trails to Literacy. The development of these partnerships will help the creation and sustainability of Trails projects.

In September 2002, the Ontario Trillium Foundation provided funding for four agencies in Eastern Ontario (Lanark Reading Network, Northern Connections Adult Learning Centres (formerly known as North Frontenac Literacy Program), Prince Edward Learning Centre and Reading Routes, Napanee Learning Centre) to continue their work in Trails to Literacy.

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