A B.C. literacy organization is marking Family Literacy Week by launching a campaign to save a program that helps newcomer families in New West integrate into Canadian society.
In December, Decoda Literacy Solutions learned the federal government was cutting funding for a number of immigrant support services, including the Immigrant Parents as Literacy Supporters (IPALS) program. Decoda, which is B.C.’s literacy organization, is now trying to make up the $450,000 annual funding shortfall by appealing to the community to make a donation, write their MLA, and raise awareness about the program.
“It is really amazing the way IPALS encourages children to learn,” parent Rosa Maria Diaz Campos said of the program in New West. “All our family enjoyed the experience of being part of this wonderful program.”
According to Decoda Literacy Solutions, the IPALS program has been running for two years in New Westminster.
“Eighty-two parents and children have participated,” said a statement to the Record. “Participants meet once a week for sessions and facilitators provide virtual follow-ups as needed in between sessions.”
The funding cuts came as a shock to Decoda, which had been receiving ongoing funding from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada for the past 10 years and had expected the IPALS program’s $450,000 annual budget to be renewed.
Jan. 26 to Feb. 2 is Family Literacy Week in British Columbia.
“This Family Literacy Week, we are asking literacy supporters across the province to help us save the IPALS program by making a donation, writing to elected officials and helping us raise awareness of what’s at stake,” Sandra Lee, executive director of Decoda Literacy Solutions, said in a news release. “Newcomer families aren’t just facing language and cultural barriers — they are navigating a new world of educational approaches. This program helps set them up for success and prepares them for the Canadian school system, but it’s now at severe risk of shutting down.”
According to Decoda Literacy Solutions, the IPALS program has provided more than 4,500 newcomer parents and caregivers with the opportunity to improve their language and literacy skills and help their young children with early literacy activities in the past 10 years. The program is offered in 19 communities across B.C. in partnership with school districts, settlement organizations, local community organizations and libraries.
“For Canada to see the full benefit of welcoming newcomers, they need to be provided with supports to help ease their integration into our communities and economy,” Lee said. “While we understand that immigration numbers have been reduced for the coming years, the government will still be bringing hundreds of thousands of immigrants and refugees each year and has a duty to those who are already here. Abandoning them will cost our society much more in the long run.”
Decoda does not expect the federal government to reverse its funding decision, but it is holding out hope that other levels of government will step up to help fund the program. People who are interested in supporting the IPALS program can visit Decoda’s website.
Family Literacy Week
A variety of activities are planned in communities in B.C., including New Westminster, in recognition of Family Literacy Week.
Here’s what is happening at the New Westminster Public Library’s main branch at 716 Sixth Ave.
- Family Literacy Week Bingo. Folks of all ages are invited to drop by the library any time during Family Literacy Week and pick up a literacy activity bingo sheet to work on at home. Community members who bring back their sheet with at least one ‘Bingo’ by Feb. 9 will be entered to win a prize.
- Family Literacy Week Book Giveaway: Families are invited to drop by the NWPL’s children’s department on Sunday, Jan. 26 between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. for a free book giveaway.
🎉 We are excited to see all the #FamilyLiteracyWeek #BCevents happening around BC next week! 🎈
— Decoda Literacy Solutions (@decodaliteracy) January 22, 2025
👉 Find an event near you at: https://t.co/uh2KaUjWwN
👉 Learn more about Family Literacy Week and find activities, resources and a colouring contest at: https://t.co/1t1eE4O65A pic.twitter.com/jfaJAgasSM
According to Decoda Literacy Solutions, a survey by Programme for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies, found that:
- More than 700,000 British Columbians have significant challenges with literacy.
- 45 per cent of British Columbians aged 16 to 65 may have difficulty understanding newspapers, following instruction manuals, reading health information and other daily living tasks.
- 52 per cent of British Columbians aged 16 to 65 may have difficulty calculating interest on a car loan, using information on a graph, calculating medicine dosage and other daily living tasks.
