No two literacy programs in Alberta are exactly alike. Some are rural; some are urban. Some are just getting off the ground; others are well-established. Some serve a specific clientele; others work with students of all levels, age and experiences. I also found that the programs can be as diverse as the backgrounds of the people who run them. Edmonton is a good example of the variety of programs offered in one given area.
After The Literacy Conference, I called ALICE BOWIE to make arrangements to visit The Learning Centre, which is housed in the Boyle Street Co-op in downtown Edmonton. On a cold October morning I walked up 97th Street to l02nd Avenue, the wind tossing leaves and dirty papers around my ankles. The Boyle Street Co-op looked lonely and out of place, dwarfed by the newer and larger city buildings. This area is referred to as the "Inner City", or simply, the "rough part of town".
The Learning Centre is in the basement of the Boyle Street Co-op. I passed two men half-sitting, half-lying on the floor by the front door of the building. They asked for change. I had a loonie in my coat pocket and gave it to them. I felt awkward and sad as I walked down the stairs to the basement; it was such a token gesture.
A colourful hand-made sign saying "Welcome Friends" greeted me as I entered the Learning Centre. Alice was sitting at a table with one of her volunteer tutors. She stood up and smiled, welcoming me with warmth and kindness as she does everyone who walks through the door.
Alice has been the coordinator of the Learning Centre for the past 5 years. Literacy students "drop in" at the Learning Centre and work individually with volunteer tutors who staff the Centre. Most of the students have actual appointments but others just drop in when they are feeling able to work at a lesson or two. Some students are "regulars" while others Alice will meet once or twice then never hear from again. "The people in this part of town are often transient," Alice explained, "moving from place to place, looking for work or somewhere to live. But they are always welcome here, for however long they choose to come."
Carolyn Stockdale had talked about not being sure if she could cope with students who were "down and out". After her years of experience, Alice no longer finds that part of the job difficult. "Some of our students are recovering alcoholics. Some live in poor housing and are sometimes in trouble with the law," Alice said. "Ninety percent of the students who come here were abused as children and most are unemployed. They are dealing with some terrible and heartbreaking situations but they are still people and they still deserve a chance to learn, just like everyone else. It actually surprises people when I tell them that we have a lot of fun at the Learning Centre; the tutors and I really enjoy working with the people here."
A fellow with long black hair came through the door and waved a shy hello to Alice. He took off his red lumber jacket and found a chair at a table in the corner of the room. ALINE ROULSTON, the tutor who had been sitting with Alice earlier said, "Good morning, Henry", and went to pull Henry's file from the cabinet. Within minutes they were laughing and talking together like old friends. I was surprised when Alice told me that this was the first time she had seen Henry in about 3 months.