About Us
Our Mission:
Strengthening Individuals, Families and Communities by Meeting the Needs of Adult Learners.
Our Vision:
By 2021, by working closely with community partners, funders, Board, and staff, the Adult Learning Association of Cape Breton County will:
- Develop brand recognition,
- Secure space which engenders its approach of equity, accessibility and quality, and
- Be more financially secure through diversifying its funding portfolio.
We will build on the strengths of our community, highlighting the benefits of increasing the literacy levels of our citizens. These benefits include contributing to economic development, improving health, reducing crime, reducing poverty and increasing opportunities for residents to fully participate and contribute to our community.
Our work will promote innovation in adult learning in the CBRM through our Pillars for Success: Internal & External Communication; Programming & Space; Financial Resiliency; and Staff & Board Resources.
The Adult Learning Association of Cape Breton County is a non-profit charitable organization. We have been providing tuition-free literacy programs and GED prep for adults across the CBRM since 1989. In 2020-21 we provided services to over 135 local residents in Sydney, Glace Bay, New Waterford, and Sydney Mines. We are the CBRM adult learning experts.
We are part of the Nova Scotia School of Adult Learning. Our major funder is the NS Department of Labour, Skills and Immigration, with support from the United Way of Cape Breton, Literacy Nova Scotia and local Community Health Boards.
Board of Directors
Kristian Doucette - Chair
Lindsay Latham - Vice-Chair
Donna Anderson - Treasurer
Meggie Currie - Secretary
Todd Graham - Director
Peggy Gordon - Director
Michel Bousquet - Director
Terri Lynn Keats- - Director
Savannah Gillis - Director
Lisa Mulak - Director
Andrew Skinner-Ryan - Director
Darren Googoo - Director
Ex Officio:
Karen Blair - Executive Director
Brenda Lavandier - Instructor rep
In 2020-21, our Board of Director members contributed 400 hours of Volunteer service. They know literacy strengthens individuals, families and communities in the Cape Breton Regional Municipality.
Who Do We Help?
The Adult Learning Association of Cape Breton County helps adult learners in CBRM to improve their reading, writing, math and computer skills and prepare for the GED with free classes in Sydney, Glace Bay, New Waterford and Sydney Mines. These programs are for adults 18 years of age or older who are not currently in school. All learners are assessed individually before placement in classes.
Our Book Your Future family literacy program distributed 1166 free books to low income families in CBRM in 2018-19..