by Karen Laharty     |         September 15, 2010

The Sooke Literacy Project is taking a step in the cyber direction this fall with the launch of a new online survey aimed at adult learning needs in the community. Literacy program coordinator Jodie McDonald is hopeful the survey will help tap into various demographics and give the program a better overall view of the potential users and their needs.

“We want people who might not normally access this type of service to tell us what they need and how we can offer it,” said McDonald in a phone interview Thursday. “Maybe transportation is an issue. There may be a need for counselling or childminding. We would like to eliminate obstacles to help bring people out to participate in the program.”

Heather Walsh, Community School Coordinator from Edward Milne Community School Society is working with McDonald in research for the program. The program development outcome is three-fold: the survey itself takes about 5 minutes to complete and will give researchers a better idea of what types of continuing education adults in the community are seeking. Interviews with current service providers, such as the Sooke Family Resource Society and Worklink, will give insight into what is currently offered and what may still be required to keep services within the Sooke community and reduce the need for people to travel to Westshore or possibly go without service. Focus groups through the current service providers will allow researchers to interview community members currently accessing services in Sooke and get a one on one feel for the types of programming offered.

The current Community Education Calendar is advertising the adult education program starting January 2011. Registration begins October 2010. “The results from the survey and the interviews will have a direct effect on the delivery of the programs for January,” says McDonald. “Adults at any age can sign up for courses. Our goal is to focus on the person as a whole. We as people are happiest when we are fulfilling our greatest potential and we want the experience through Sooke Literacy to be inspirational and motivational.”

The Sooke Literacy Book Bin Program, launched last winter, has served as a great public awareness tool and is continuing to grow in popularity. “The bins (two of them) at CASA get books quite frequently due to the high level of traffic through the building. There are bins at SEAPARC and a book shelf at Serious Coffee.” McDonald says that bins will soon be available at the Strong Start Program at John Muir Elementary and A Place To Play located in Becher Bay. The Port Renfrew Community Centre will also be receiving a bin. The concept behind the bins is to make reading accessible to everyone. Take a book, read it and pass it on or return it to one of the bins for a new one. Bins are frequently replenished so check often for a wide selection of books for all ages.

To access the survey or for more information about the Sooke Literacy Project, check out www.sookeliteracy.ca  or call 250-580-2252.    MM

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