Our History

History may be a bit boring to some, but even with the boredom it is interesting to see where people and organizations came from and how they got to where they are.  We all have a history, a story to tell and this is ours:

In 2006 a National Study on literacy was completed that highlighted the need for a Literacy Plan in the North Peace.  There are many individuals in the North Peace who need help with literacy and there are others who need resources to help friends, relatives or employees achieve greater literacy skills.  

2010 Legacies Now provided province-wide funding for sports, arts and literacy to begin a lasting legacy from the 2010 Winter Olympics, within each community of British Columbia.  

 2004 - A community forum was called by the Literacy Society, FSJ Public Library and Success by Six to discuss the needs of the community relating to 2010 Legacies Now funding.  Two categories emerged: early literacy and adult literacy.  The identified goal was to secure space where current literacy initiatives could be expanded.

 2005 - A community stakeholders meeting was held and it was decided that instead of focusing on a physical space, a Community Needs Assessment needed to be completed.  A progress report was submitted to 2010 Legacies Now to begin the four stage process for the community.

2006 - 2007 - A consultant, Olsen Communications, was hired to complete a Community Needs Assessment, and from the assessment the North Peace Community Literacy Plan was developed.  Two goals were identified in this plan:

 1. Literacy Awareness Campaign

2. Centralizing of Literacy Services

2007 - 2008 - Myriad Consulting followed-up with the Community Literacy Plan and initiated an Awareness Campaign with radio advertisement, posters, brochures and a website was developed.  

2009 - as the North Peace Literacy Alliance entered into stage four of the process a Literacy Outreach Coordinator was hired to continue with the planning, implementation and evaluation of the community process.  

Organizations who have provided funding (in-kind or dollars) for the Alliance:

•  2010 Legacies Now
•  Fort St. John Literacy Society
•  School District #60
•  Fort St. John Library
•  North Peace Economic Development Commission
•  United Way