Frontier literacy programs squeezed
Government cuts have forced Frontier College to cease operations in some Atlantic communities. In Halifax, raising awareness about literacy remains a struggle.
(0)Dalhousie student Jaime Custance thinks she is making a difference by volunteering to tutor elementary school children. She also believes the work is helping the volunteers themselves.
“It’s a good opportunity to work with kids, but it’s also a chance to grow within yourself,” she says.
Custance and other volunteers at Frontier College, a Canada-wide group that offers tutoring, literacy and training programs to people of all ages, are dealing with increased pressure since federal government withdrew its funding in 2005.
Frontier College had to shut down operations in Newfoundland and Prince Edward Island because of the lack of funding. The group is non-profit, and is run primarily by volunteers.
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Ramona Clarke and Kimberly Williams are spreading awareness about literacy despite cuts to Frontier's funding (Photo: Alexandra Davis)
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In Halifax, many of those volunteers are university students.
Kimberly Williams, Frontier College’s regional director for Halifax, has noticed that in addition to government cutbacks, the community in general doesn’t seem to be as interested in literacy issues as it once was.
Williams says that Frontier College, which operates out of Dalhousie’s Student Union Building in Halifax, has fewer volunteers now than in previous years.
“Volunteer rates (with Frontier College) are down across Atlantic Canada. It may be because tuition rates are higher,” Williams suggests. “Students have to work to make ends meet, they don’t have as much time to volunteer.”
Ramona Clarke, the community co-ordinator for Frontier College’ Halifax branch is involved in recruiting new volunteers. She has another idea as to why fewer students are becoming involved in the program.
“There are a lot more non-profit organizations, a lot more people doing international studies than ever before,” she says. “There seems to be more of a focus on the rest of the world, and we can forget sometimes about the need that exists right here in our own community.”
Literacy rates and recruitment
According to Literacy Nova Scotia illiteracy is a serious problem in Canada. Ten million Canadians struggle with reading and writing, and about four out of 10 Nova Scotians have problems with literacy.
Frontier College would like to change these rates, but without government funding, this may be difficult. The organization is dependent on fundraising, charitable donations and contributions from corporations. All funds are received at a national office in Toronto, and are then issued to individual operations across Canada.
Frontier College is now more dependent on volunteers than ever. Clarke says that Frontier has about 50 volunteers in Halifax, many of whom are students. She adds that she would like to recruit more university students, and wants to promote the organization as much as possible.
“We go to volunteer fairs, set up kiosks, put up posters, post on Kijiji and Craigslist. But word of mouth is really important, that’s how we’ve gotten about a fifth of our volunteers.”
Custance first heard about the organization through word of mouth. This year, she is also serving as a student intern. She delegates tasks, organizes volunteers and also volunteers herself.
She thinks it’s important that people realize how much of an issue illiteracy is in Canada.
“A lot of people aren’t aware of how low literacy rates are,” Custance says. “Unless you’re in a position where you can’t read basic things at, say, the grocery store, it’s hard to understand.”
Looking ahead
Williams is confident that many young people are enthusiastic about volunteering, but thinks that more information should be available to the public so the seriousness of illiteracy can be better understood. She realizes this will be a challenge without the proper resources.
“We try to look forward,” she says. “We’re doing alright thanks to our board, but it would be nice to have the government on board with what we’re doing.”
Williams adds that Frontier is located on campus for a reason.
“We have the Mount (St. Vincent), Saint Mary’s and Dalhousie right here,” she says. “We want to find ways to create a competitive spirit among students to encourage them to volunteer their time.”
Clarke says that student volunteers may be surprised by how much they get out of helping people in their own community.
“It can be very rewarding and very humbling to give back and make a difference here at home,” she says.
Custance agrees that volunteering with Frontier College is worthwhile and meaningful, and adds that the group is flexible when it comes to accommodating busy students.
“Volunteers are asked to donate an hour of their time per week,” she says. “It’s great for students because we can work with their schedules.”
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