The newspaper provided a forum for learners to engage actively in the community. It was also an excellent way to cover ALBE English and Computer Studies objectives. However, it was incredibly labour intensive for staff who did much of the layout. In reviewing the project, staff decided that it would be better to teach learners to do the layout work. Thus learners were trained to use the publishing program, Microsoft Publisher, as part of their Computer Studies program. Thus learners could develop desktop publishing skills, as well as word processing skills, and many are now quite skilled in that area.
A year and a half after the Deninu Digest, learners are working on their own community newsletter, the Aurora Scoop. Some of their writing assignments take the form of reporting on community events, and the community is again an extension of their classroom. Learners are now doing the layout and graphic design work themselves. As a result of changing how the newsletter is produced, learners have developed additional computer skills, the newsletter project is less labour intensive for staff, and learners can share their learning with the community.
The program regularly sponsors community events, such as a storytelling stew and bannock luncheon, an Elders’ Christmas party, a Reading Circle Christmas party, family fun nights, barbeques and pizza parties. It also includes community groups in its planning.
A quality adult literacy and basic education program reaches out to the community to attract potential learners and gain the support of the community.
To meet the varied needs of the community, the Fort Resolution Community Literacy Program offers a broad range of programming, targeted towards different groups.