East End Literacy
Organization profile published 1980
Year Published: 1980
Resource Type: Organization
Cx Number: CX1051
Abstract:
East End Literacy (EEL) is a year-old community based literacy project whose target population is English speaking illiterate adults. EEL is situated in Toronto's east end where there is a high percentage of school drop-outs, unemployed people, single parent families and many illiterate adults. Also characteristic of the area are numeous public housing projects and a somewhat transient population. EEL takes into account these realities and views literacy training as a vehicle to help illiterate adults to better understand their situation and affect change. Another important aspect of the program is the breaking down of the isolation that so often entraps illiterate adults in cycles of self-blame and feeling helpless about their situation. Students are encouraged to participate in the creation of supportive networks.
EEL is composed of a ten-person work group with minimal funding to cover basic material and expenses and one temporary part-time staff person. The objects of the project are to 1) provide tutoring on a one-to-one and small group basis; 2) train local volunteer tutors; and 3) establish a community based literacy network in Toronto's east-end to support activities including the devleopment of relevant curriculum material, community education, research, fund-raising and liason with other literacy groups.
The tutoring program incorporates specific skill building; reading, writing and comprehension, in a process of consciousness raising. Techniques are geared towards "Reading for meaning" and building on student experience, knowledge and perception of the world.
This abstract was published in the Connexions Digest in 1980.
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