Victoria READ Society
Why We Are Needed
Basic literacy skills provide the key to success in today's world. Imagine the daily fear that your teacher will ask you to read aloud during class. Imagine knowing that your friends will laugh because you have made another mistake. Imagine pretending you do not care every day. Imagine not being able to read your bus or TV schedule. Imagine not being able to fill out an application form for a job because you cannot read. Literacy leads to success in everyday life.
Who We Are
The Victoria READ Society was founded in 1976. Two teachers were hired to provide basic instruction in reading, writing, maths, and study skills to children who were having difficulty with their school work. Now, we serve over 700 students in three locations in Greater Victoria. Our students know that their problems with learning affect their ability to succeed in schools, in jobs, in retraining programmes, and in coping with the basic demands of everyday life.
READ is a non-profit society and is run by a volunteer Board of Directors with 29 staff. READ teachers are all specially trained and B.C. certified.
Our Commitment
Reading and understanding words and numbers unlock the door to everything in our world. At READ, we bring students into the world of knowledge and opportunity, giving them the skills necessary to become fully participating members of society.
Programmes
The Victoria READ Society offers the following specialised programmes:
• Academic Assessment - Identifies strengths and weaknesses on which to base an individual programme.
• CORE - Student-centred one-to-one part-time programme for children and adults.
• ABS - Adult Basic Skills. Full-time small classes of adults to develop basic literacy skills and job readiness skills.
• LINC - Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada. Full-time English as a Second Language classes.
• ESL for Work - Full-time for adults - preparation for employment.
• Support Networks - Full-time job readiness programme for adults with literacy needs.
READ has supported community development initiatives both inside and outside the organisation through programmes such as Support Networks, Literacy Materials Bulletin, Project Literacy Victoria, and Literacy B.C.
Bursary Fund
Most of our CORE programme funding comes from tuition fees. However, our Bursary Fund subsidises tuition for children whose families cannot pay the full amount. Financial support comes from the Provincial Employees Community Services Fund, the Vancouver Foundation, service clubs, the Public Gaming Commission, individual donors and our annual "READ Festival". Over 400 children receive individualised instruction each year in the CORE programme, with over 80 families receiving financial assistance from the Bursary Fund.
Our Success
The Victoria READ Society is very proud of its accomplishments over the past twenty years. Many of our students have now graduated from university or community college or have found satisfying employment. Many have returned to thank us for helping them attaining their personal goals. READ is unique because it is independent from schools and colleges. READ is able to offer the specialised and intensive instruction that many students need to be confident and successful.