Trust continues partnership with Alliance for Literacy

The non-profit delivers literacy programming in 77 communities throughout the region.

Columbia Basin Alliance for Literacy offers numerous programs for all ages. — Photo courtesy Columbia Basin Alliance

(Columbia Basin) – Family Night Out. Books Everywhere. Together to Learn: Columbia Basin Alliance for Literacy (CBAL) ensures that communities have access to the literacy programs and support services they need. Their unique regional approach will continue to have Columbia Basin Trust’s support with another two year funding commitment.

“This is a unique arrangement in the province; it’s a regional strategy that is driven by community priorities. Nowhere else in BC uses this coordinated approach to literacy that also accounts for local support and priorities. It’s a very successful method, and we are happy to continue this partnership with another funding commitment,” said Johnny Strilaeff, President and CEO, Columbia Basin Trust.

The Trust is providing $1 million over two years to CBAL. The non-profit delivers literacy programming in 77 communities throughout the region. Their range of literacy programs and services for children, families, adults and seniors, include reading, writing, numeracy, health, financial and computer literacy support. The regional network allows each community to focus on its specific needs.

“The Trust’s generous support over the past 16 years has allowed CBAL to build its internal capacity and stability. There is no question in my mind that we would not have had the ability to increase our literacy services over the years and, especially, to provide settlement and language services to newcomers to the Basin without the Trust’s support,” said Ali Wassing, executive director of CBAL.

Wassing is retiring at the end of April after more than 10 years at the helm of CBAL.

“The Trust’s support for CBAL goes back to 2001. The partnership has grown over that time thanks to the work of the staff and volunteers and in no small part because of Ali Wassing and her commitment to making the alliance a Basin-wide organization. We offer our congratulations and wish her all the best in her retirement,” said Strilaeff.

Desneiges Profili takes over the role of executive director on May 1. The Trust looks forward to working with her in this next stage in the alliance’s evolution.

CBAL partners with community organizations to develop, promote and deliver services to help citizens of all ages improve their literacy skills and engage in life-long learning. CBAL’s vision is to help all people get the functional skills needed to participate fully in their communities: socially, economically, politically, and culturally. The Trust is one of six funders for the non-profit organization.

Columbia Basin Trust supports the ideas and efforts of the people in the Columbia Basin. To learn more about the Trust’s programs and initiatives, and how it helps deliver social, economic and environmental benefits to the Basin, visit ourtrust.org or call 1-800-505-8998.