Who provides literacy programming?

In the province of Ontario, a wide range of organizations provide literacy services. Literacy services are provided by independent community-based agencies, local school boards and community colleges. Typically, school boards and colleges provide classroom-based learning and community-based agencies provide small-group and one-to-one learning. There are four community-based programs and a few school board classes that specifically serve homeless clients.

Programs that serve homeless clients

There are four community-based literacy programs in Toronto that specifically serve homeless clients. These four programs are Street Haven Learning Centre, Beat The Street, St. Christopher House Adult Literacy Program and Alpha-Toronto. Each of these programs is structured to accommodate the needs of clients who are either living in shelters or who are at risk of homelessness. All four of these programs are community-based literacy programs that operate in a learner-centred environment. One of these programs, Alpha-Toronto, offers literacy learning in French.

Programs that serve the general population

In Toronto there are over fifteen community-based literacy programs. Community-based literacy programs tend to offer small-group and one-to-one programming rather than classes. Most programs offer only part-time learning and there is a mixture of daytime and evening programming. Community-based programs are geared towards learners' needs and provide an informal, unstructured learning environment.

In Toronto there are two school boards who operate literacy classes: the Toronto District School Board and the Toronto Catholic District School Board. Both these organizations have many classes spread across the Toronto area. Classes may be part-time, full-time, daytime or evening. Clients must have an assessment at a central office. In some cases, classes are offered in locations which may be frequented by clients who are homeless or marginalized.

There are three colleges in Toronto that offer literacy classes: Centennial, Seneca and George Brown. College literacy programs tend to focus on clients who are at higher levels. These programs are classroom-based and often include computer-based learning. Typically, these programs are full-time during the day. Clients must be assessed prior to entering these programs. In general these programs are not suitable for homeless clients.