Range of programs:

• Start small, build a strong foundation and expand from there. It’s one thing to attract learners to the learning centre, it’s another though to keep them coming back. Extenuating circumstances aside, learners will come to school if they are getting what they need. Start small. Build a class around interested individuals, even if that means there is only one or two learners attending the class. Working as an intimate group allows you to get a good sense of the learners’ needs and provides an opportunity to best meet those needs, something that can be difficult to assess in a larger class setting. With teaching there is a fair bit of trial and error, hit and miss. In starting out small there is perhaps a better chance of more “hits” than “misses”, which is key to keeping learners encouraged, motivated and successful. The learning needs of the few learners you may have are no doubt reflective of the needs of a much larger part of the community. Word of mouth is one of your best forms of recruitment. Build a strong foundation with the success of your learners and they will no doubt be happy to spread the word.
• Elders’ Classes – Before establishing the Elders’ programs at the Caribou Outreach Centre, the instructor both hosted and attended a variety of community functions in order to meet with the target learner group and to get a sense of the varying needs. Functions attended included community dinners, volunteering with the Elders’ Day Program at the Regional Hospital, and hosting an Elders’ Tea. Ultimately, in order to meet the varying needs of the Elders of the community, the Caribou Outreach Centre developed three differing approaches to Elders’ literacy programming: English upgrading classes for those who have some foundational education; one-on-one class time for emerging literacy learners; and the Story Sack project. This project, delivered through the Elders’ Day Program at the Regional Hospital, has elders in the program working together on a Story Sack, a family literacy tool to motivate and encourage children and parents to read together and have fun.