In October of 2000 I started participating in the Trails to Literacy project. This project of Northern Connections Adult Learning Centres funded by the National Literacy Secretariat uses the Trans Canada Trail as an opportunity for its participants to learn literacy and numeracy through nature and local history, interpretive studies, carpentry, marketing and other activities which improve the trail and its usage to the public.
This placement
with Trails to Literacy gave me a chance to become involved in
a wide range of activities:
- Helping
design and decorate a float for the local Santa Claus Parade
helped in learning some math skills, carpentry, art, basic woodworking
and lettering.
- Taking
on the challenge of doing the administrative work for Trails
to Literacy involves taking minutes of meetings, preparing reports
and surveys that display the results using bar graphs and pie
charts.
- Keeping
track of petty cash, typing letters and doing telephone work
was also part of this placement.
- Creating
information plaques for the trails helped me learn research
skills. I was then able to help other participants with their
research.
- Working with others to produce The Knapsack the newsletter for the project helped my typing and desktop publishing skills
- Two writing workshops were held at the learning centre which I took part in. The information I received helped me to write my own story for the newsletter as well as other articles.
- I became
involved in contacting local businesses and groups in a sponsorship
campaign for the Trails to Literacy that has begun to produce
a number of sponsors for our projects.
- Recently I have been asked to become a member on the Board of Directors for the Northern Connections Adult Learning Centres, which helps me with critical thinking and decision-making.
Through my
improved skills, I have been able to produce a very effective
resume, allowing me to get further part time employment.
Over the past year and a half my goals have changed and my aims have become much higher and more complex. When I first came to the centre, I had no self-esteem, no interest in what I wanted to do. After having an assessment done I realized, hey, I have to do something about my life and career.
If it had
not been for the assistance of the program, I would not have had
the opportunity to learn and grow in all the activities and changes
in my life. I now have the confidence and self-assurance to speak
and demonstrate my learning skills to others.
