Karen is a single mother of a six year old boy. Karen was attending a program about how to talk to your children when she was referred to the Literacy Program. Initially Karen was very hesitant to attend the Literacy Program as she is uncomfortable in new environments.

Karen decided to give the program a try for a number of reasons. She has expressed the fact that she wants to be able to read to her son and she doesn't want her son to think she is a "dummy". Secondly, Karen is presently receiving U.I.C. benefits. She wants to get off U.I.C., get a job and be self-supporting.

Karen has stated that she is very comfortable with her instructor and what she is learning. She says her instructor treats her like an adult. Karen states that this program (she attends twice a week for about 1 1/2 hours) is "my entry into the real world". She is very concerned that funding will be cut and then what will she do? Karen says, "This program means alot to me. My son communicates with the world alot better than me". Karen is presently very concerned about her program's funding being cut, although this does not seem imminent. She is currently consulting with the ACL Literacy Support Person regarding the possibility of attending other literacy programs in the city. She is looking for a full-time program.

Profile quoted from:
A Proposal to Secretary of State to Establish Literacy Support Services for Individuals Who Live With a Mental Handicap - Phase #2. Winnipeg, MB: Association for Community Living - Manitoba, June 22, 1992, p. 5-6.