Portage College Awarded Significant Increase in CALP Grant and Additional Funding for Targeted Reading Instruction

Portage College has received a substantial increase in funding through the Community Adult Learning Program (CALP) grant, significantly benefiting the region over the next three years. The newly approved grant, effective from June 2024 to June 2027, provides $607,446 annually. This represents a $150,000 increase from the previous grant period (June 2021 - June 2024), which allotted $456,727 annually.

In addition to the CALP grant, Portage College has received a $20,000 grant from the Peter Gzowski Foundation for Literacy (PGFL). This funding will support a project focused on providing targeted reading instruction to adults who are non-readers or emergent readers. The Bonnyville CALP site will use best practices for teaching adult non-readers to enhance their reading abilities, potentially increasing their opportunities for work placements in the community. Furthermore, the project aims to build the skill set of community workers who support this unique subset of learners, enhancing their ability to reinforce and continue the learning beyond the CALP classroom. This one-year project will be accessible at the Bonnyville CALP site in the Bonnyville Centennial Center.

Moreover, Portage College has secured an additional $90,000 from the St. Paul/Elk Point Economic Development Alliance (STEP). This funding will be allocated to newcomer support in St. Paul and Elk Point, enhancing the college's ability to provide essential services and integration support to newcomers in these communities. The funding provided by STEP is intended to support newcomers to the region, including those under the Rural Renewal Stream (RRS) program. The RRS program, a stream under the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program, helps alleviate labor challenges by putting the application and settlement process into the hands of the community. While STEP works with employers looking to hire through the RRS program, the supports provided through CALP will help retain those workers and newcomers in our community. The money will cover the costs of the following supports for newcomers:

• Newcomer support/resource person
• Training and education
• Translation services, as determined necessary
• Resource development
• Marketing and communications

Impact on the Community

The additional funding will enable Portage College to broaden its reach and support for adult learners, fostering an environment of growth and development from September to mid-June each year. This increase will enhance existing programs and introduce new initiatives tailored to meet the unique needs of our diverse communities. Specific areas of focus include improving literacy and numeracy, enhancing digital proficiency, and providing more comprehensive support services to ensure learners have the resources they need to succeed.

Stephanie Solarz, M.Ed, Dean of Foundational Learning, University Transfer, and Arts, expressed her excitement about the grant increase, stating, “The Portage College CALP team is comprised of individuals who care deeply about their communities and are dedicated to providing quality learning opportunities for learners in the Portage College service region. This grant increase will allow the CALP team to expand our program and provide even more targeted support for both current and future learners.”

Nancy Broadbent, President and CEO of Portage College, added, “At Portage College, we believe that education is the key to building stronger communities and empowering individuals. We are grateful for the opportunity to make a positive impact in the lives of so many people through CALP, and we thank the Government of Alberta and the Peter Gzowski Foundation for Literacy for their continued support.”

Linda Sallstrom, Economic Development Officer, STEP Economic Development Alliance, commented, “The Funding to Portage College allows CALP to fill a gap in services, enabling our communities to compete with larger centres to welcome and retain newcomers.”

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