CENTRAL FRONTENAC
Northern Connections Adult Learning Centres

(formerly known as North Frontenac Literacy Program)

Good news is always nice to receive and that was the case in September 2000, at the North Frontenac Literacy Program (now known as Northern Connections Adult Learning Centres). M.P. Larry McCormick's office phoned to tell them that their 'Trails to Literacy' project had been approved by Human Resources Development Canada's National Literacy Secretariat. This was the realization of many long months of networking, proposal submissions, letter writing, updates and phone calls. It is a true 'feather in the cap' for this small rural program to be chosen for a national pilot research project.

At the time of this announcement, the nation-wide focus on the creation of the Trans Canada Trail provided a wonderful opportunity for the demonstration and promotion of learning. (The Trans-Canada Relay passed through our community during the first week-end of that September.) Learner involvement improving and interpreting the local portion of the Trans-Canada Trail would highlight the advantages of literacy/numeracy upgrading. Trails to Literacy would use hands-on, real-life learning activities that would benefit the community.

Through this initiative 35 participants ( 30 were literacy clients, 28 were Ontario Works community placements, 2 were high school credit students, 5 were on Ontario Disabilities Support Plan ) used the Central Frontenac section of the Trans-Canada Trail System (approximately 30 km. long from Sharbot Lake to Elm Tree) as a dynamic venue for learning and personal development. By the end of the first year, the Trans-Canada Trail had new shelters, benches, birdhouses, feeders, bat roosts, and butterfly boxes. There are interpretive signs describing local flora, fauna, geographic information and historical events. These tangible results of our 'Trails to Literacy' have improved the trail experience for local users and tourists alike. The carpentry projects, interpretive work and publicity have been well-received, as has our 'Knapsack' publication.

The participants who did the research, writing, production and construction not only gained new literacy and basic skills. Perhaps even more significantly, they developed the self-confidence and enthusiasm for learning that then contributed to a 43% employment rate at exit, with a further 25% going on to further education. There were considerable improvements in the 'soft skills' such as: research, motivation, goal setting, planning, decision-making, critical thinking, teamwork, speaking and listening. Beyond new skill development, participants experienced a sense of value in the work they were doing for their community. They became givers instead of takers. Family and friends showed an interest in their activities and learning. Employers were more interested in hiring our learners when they could be trained specifically to the tasks required. Learners were no longer embarrassed to be part of a literacy program and the broader community demonstrated increased acceptance of literacy/numeracy training.

For Northern Connections Adult Learning Centres (NCALC), the appeal of 'Trails to Literacy' contributed to 7 times more Ontario Works referrals than the previous year and 50% more contact hours for literacy and basic skills training. Since the official opening of 'Trails to Literacy' in September 2000, 89% of new literacy clients at NCALC were referred because of, or through, the 'Trails' connection.

After two years, Northern Connections Adult Learning Centres have felt the positive impact of 'Trails to Literacy'. It has given us a new vision of the benefits of increased learner involvement in the planning, delivery and evaluation of their own learning. The learners who have become involved in our 'Trails' are some of the most enthusiastic and diligent clients we have had. It is very satisfying to see the ownership that is instilled in the learners, placements and volunteers through the participatory learning approach used by the project.

In September 2002, NCALC in partnership with Lanark County Reading Network, Prince Edward Learning Centre and Reading Routes, Napanee Learning Centre, received a grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation. This additional funding will help the Sharbot Lake site further its own Trail to Literacy while it continues to act as a mentor for its partner agencies, a provincial pilot model, working to establish ongoing funding opportunities for other sites individually and Trails to Literacy provincially.

The communities' services, input and referrals are necessary to help our clients. With 'Trails to Literacy' we will be expanding our networking further.

Additional support for the project, both financial and service-in-kind, was given by the Employment Ontario, Ontario Trillium Foundation Grants.City of Kingston’s Ontario Works, the Township of Central Frontenac, The Ontario Trails Council, Central Frontenac Trails Group, Eastern Ontario Trails Alliance, Lanark County Reading Network, Prince Edward Learning Centre, Frontenac News, Land O'Lakes Communications Network, Sharbot Lake High School and numerous businesses and volunteers from the surrounding communities who have provided their expertise and sponsorship to this project.