Affordable ways to boost your skill set
Was there ever anything you wanted to learn, but didn’t? Do you feel like it is too late to begin learning it? What barriers are stopping you?
16 May, 2022
Learning loss is not just for kids; How you can catch up
While this learning loss is sometimes thought of in terms of kids coming back to school with rusty reading and math skills after summer break, it can actually happen to anyone.
11 May, 2022
How to encourage adults to be civically enagaged
By living in a democratic country, we can participate in the political decisions that affect us – but only if we have the knowledge and confidence to do so.
04 May, 2022
Ontario election resources for adult learners
ABC Life Literacy Canada has partnered with Elections Ontario to create a number of resources to help literacy practitioners engage adult learners in civic literacy.
03 May, 2022
How financial literacy can improve mental health
Financial stress ranks as the highest stress of the big four stresses. As we head into Mental Health Week, now the is perfect time to talk about how financial stress can affect our mental health.
01 May, 2022
Top 3 money struggles hurting your mental health
Did you know that struggling with your finances can negatively impact your work performance, relationships and mental health?
30 April, 2022
The relationship between nutrition and learning
When people follow a healthy diet, they can focus and self-regulate better, leading to greater success in achieving their educational goals.
25 April, 2022
Helping autistic workers improve their soft skills
Inclusion Canada supports adults with intellectual disabilities and/or autism and is one of many organizations using UP Skills for Work to help clients gain the soft skills needed for employment.
18 April, 2022
Seniors learn how to stay safe online
For more than seven years, Literacy Alliance of the Shuswap Society has been running a Cyber Seniors program to help local seniors learn to use technology in a safe and approachable way.
13 April, 2022
Digital literacy program expands in time of need
ABC Life Literacy Canada is pleased to announce that its ABC Internet Matters program, supported by the Canadian Bankers Association, is expanding to offer new resources.
12 April, 2022
3 inexpensive ways to advertise your non-profit literacy program
Marketing can be expensive, and for non-profits, it can feel nearly impossible to be able to afford the going rate for ad space.
04 April, 2022
Innovation Learning Lab series
This year we're hosting four Innovation Learning Labs, thanks to the support of Canada Life. In each webinar we will discuss one topic that is important and relevant to the literacy field in 2022.
02 April, 2022
3 strategies to reach rural learners
The following three strategies can help you increase the number of learners enrolled in your literacy programs – especially for those living in rural settings.
29 March, 2022
4 adult teaching strategies for newcomers
The English language can be confusing enough for native speakers to learn. So when you deliver your adult literacy programs to non-native speakers, it’s only natural that additional effort...
27 March, 2022
Teaching new workers to manage money wisely
Essential Employability Skills – Health Sector is a pilot project for innovative literacy and essential employability skills training, designed to address labour market and workforce challenges...
21 March, 2022
5 ways to improve employee morale and retention
Each time you onboard a new employee, there’s significant cost and time involved. So when you hire someone great, you want to do everything possible to keep them happy in their role.
01 March, 2022
Seniors help seniors improve their digital literacy skills
This BC digital literacy program aims to teach low-income seniors how to navigate their cell phones and/or tablets with the ultimate goal of enriching the quality of life of the seniors it serves.
23 February, 2022
Why you need to file your 2022 taxes
Filing your taxes can bring you financial benefits. By filing your taxes on time, you can automatically receive government benefits you qualify for, thus increasing your income...
22 February, 2022
5 family learning activities for March Break
To ensure children don't suffer from learning loss at this time, try these fun learning activities together as a family.
22 February, 2022
ABC Skills Hub expands program offering to include Skills for Success
ABC Life Literacy Canada is pleased to announce that its online learning portal, the ABC Skills Hub, has expanded its program offering to include courses aligning with the Skills for Success.
09 February, 2022
Tech Talk Tuesdays: Assistive Technologies
Join us throughout February and March to learn more about assistive technology tools that can help you support learners with diverse abilities.
07 February, 2022
Introducing the ‘Wellness Together’ webinar series
Join us for a lunch and learn-style webinar series focused on you and your family’s wellness. We’ll explore topics related to self-care, financial well-being, and health advocacy.
31 January, 2022
ABC Life Literacy Canada Board announces new Executive Director
The Board of Directors of ABC Life Literacy Canada (ABC) is pleased to announce the appointment of Ms. Alison Howard as ABC’s next Executive Director (ED).
26 January, 2022
Family Literacy Day on January 27 encourages families to embrace the outdoors
Families, libraries and literacy groups across the country are getting ready to once again celebrate the annual Family Literacy Day, which takes place on January 27th.
25 January, 2022
New digital literacy resources for persons with diverse abilities
Many of these new resources focus on assistive technologies, which is a type of technology used to increase, maintain, or improve the functional capabilities of persons with diverse abilities.
24 January, 2022
Why outdoor play is more important than ever
There’s a lot we don’t know about what life will be like as we all learn to live with COVID-19. But there’s one thing we can say for sure: active, outdoor play is exactly what our kids need right now.
18 January, 2022
Essential life lessons to teach your child
While some successes will come naturally for them, there are other core parts of adulthood that can benefit from some education at a young age.
14 January, 2022
10 outdoor activities for daily family learning
Here are 10 outdoor learning activities you can do as a family to celebrate Family Literacy Day and practice learning together year-round.
11 January, 2022
How nature impacts cognitive development
Let’s dig into the relationship between nature and learning to find out more about the impact of nature on cognitive development.
02 January, 2022
5 New Year’s resolutions for literacy practitioners
The new year is around the corner, and with a new year comes a new opportunity to start fresh and live the life that allows you to be your best self.
13 December, 2021
Top 10 literacy news posts of 2021
In case you missed any of the news posts written for the literacy community this year, we’ve recapped the top 10 most popular.
12 December, 2021
Simple steps to help you beat seasonal stress
Whether it’s finding the right gifts on time or wondering if you can afford them, this season is full of triggers for anxiety.
05 December, 2021
What’s planned for Family Literacy Day 2022
Planning for Family Literacy Day is well underway, and families, schools, libraries, literacy groups and other community organizations are invited to take part in the initiative on January 27, 2022.
02 December, 2021
How to create a holiday budget and stick to it
We all know the holiday season can be downright expensive. Here are some key steps for making a holiday budget and tips for staying the course.
01 December, 2021
Equipping youth with skills for the trades
For over 30 years, the Construction Association of PEI's (CAPEI) Youth in Trade program has been helping youth get into the trades.
22 November, 2021
Supporting Indigenous learners during Financial Literacy Month
The Vancouver Aboriginal Friendship Centre recently ran the Money Matters for Indigenous Peoples financial literacy program.
09 November, 2021
5 financial literacy activities for the whole family
To help families improve their financial literacy skills throughout the year, ABC Life Literacy Canada offers five financial literacy activities for the family to do together.
05 November, 2021
10 financial literacy tips from adult learners
To celebrate Financial Literacy Month, adult learners from the Money Matters financial literacy program share their top 10 money management tips.
02 November, 2021
Canada Life Literacy Innovation Award honourable mention winners
We take a look at the programs of the 2021 Canada Life Literacy Innovation Award honourable mention winners.
01 November, 2021
Activate Learning fall workshop series
Each workshop will focus on one of the various topics available through the program, so you can get a sneak peek at what each workshop will entail.
29 October, 2021
Financial literacy resources and lesson plans for adults
With November being Financial Literacy Month, now is the perfect time for adults to take control of their money and improve their financial know-how with these free financial literacy resources.
26 October, 2021
Financial literacy resources aim to help Canadians bounce back from pandemic
November marks Financial Literacy Month (FLM), an initiative launched by numerous community groups, non-profits and government bodies to help improve Canadians’ financial literacy levels.
26 October, 2021
Canada Life Literacy Innovation Award top winner: Pacific Immigrant Resources Society
Pacific Immigrant Resources Society was awarded top honours for this year’s Canada Life Literacy Innovation Award for their program.
18 October, 2021
3 ways literacy practitioners can manage stress at work
You invest so much into your literacy organization – both emotionally and physically – that it’s only a matter of time before you start feeling the effects.
12 October, 2021
How health literacy training is helping YWCA St. John’s better serve its clients
YWCA St. John’s recently worked with ABC Life Literacy Canada on train-the-trainer activities through the Activate Learning program.
04 October, 2021
6 health literacy tips for Canadians
October is Health Literacy Month, which aims to bring attention to the importance of making health information easy to understand, and making the health care system easier to navigate.
27 September, 2021
Skills for Success Day shines light on important life skills for Canadians
Today marks Skills for Success Day (formerly Essential Skills Day), an annual initiative to raise awareness about the importance of the key skills needed for learning, work and life.
23 September, 2021
Why businesses should invest in employee skills training
Employees with stronger literacy skills are more successful at work and contribute to an improved bottom line. Here’s why literacy skills are so crucial in the workplace.
21 September, 2021
Equipping new workers with the skills to manage their income
YES Employment & Entrepreneurship Montreal turned to our Money Matters program for assistance in offering a more robust financial literacy workshop to meet participants’ complex needs.
14 September, 2021
Employer improves teamwork through employability training
The Association for New Canadians is a non-profit, community-based organization delivering settlement and integration services to immigrants and refugees in Newfoundland and Labrador.
09 September, 2021
Community groups come together to provide digital literacy education during pandemic
For over five years, Douglas College’s I-CARE Adult Literacy program and New Westminster literacy groups had been discussing the need for a digital literacy program and what it might look like.
30 August, 2021Pacific Immigrant Resources Society wins top place in the Canada Life Literacy Innovation Award
We are pleased to announce the winners of the 2021 Canada Life Literacy Innovation Award, which recognizes organizations that develop and implement innovative adult literacy skills programs.
25 August, 2021
How to train adult literacy volunteers
An effective volunteer training program can help your organization not only improve volunteer retention but also ensure that new volunteers have the necessary skills to perform their duties properly.
16 August, 2021
Pandemic learning loss affecting adults just as much as children
A recent OECD report indicated that workplace shutdowns as a result of COVID-19 had a negative effect on the ability of adults to participate in learning and training opportunities.
12 August, 2021
8 literacy activities to prepare kids for back to school
The summer break can often cause a decline in children’s knowledge from the prior school year – also known as the summer slide.
09 August, 2021
Preparing your classroom for new adult learners
Kids aren’t the only ones heading back to class in a few weeks; many adults are as well! Here are some tips for preparing your classroom for new adult learners this fall.
01 August, 2021
Organizational tips for busy literacy organizations
From how to increase productivity to better project management methods, here are four of the best organizational tips for busy literacy organizations.
26 July, 2021
Helping learners gain financial independence through financial literacy
Epilepsy Toronto ran four Money Matters workshops virtually during Epilepsy Awareness Month in March.
19 July, 2021
5 fundraising ideas for adult literacy organizations
Looking for funding sources is a tireless yet crucial challenge. Luckily, there are plenty of fundraising ideas that can help keep your adult literacy programs afloat.
12 July, 2021
Literacy and employment: How to show adult learners the connection
The majority of adult learners upgrade their skills in order to gain better more meaningful employment. Here’s how to educate your adult learners on the impact that literacy has on employment.
04 July, 2021
North Bay Jail trains residents on workplace employability skills
North Bay Jail was pressed to find programming that they could run internally on their own throughout the pandemic. With a quick Google search, they came across UP Skills for Work.
29 June, 2021
Budget-friendly marketing ideas for your literacy program
To spread awareness, attract funders and learners, and engage volunteers, you need effective marketing.
17 June, 2021
Resources aim to protect seniors from online fraud
June 15th marks World Elder Abuse Awareness Day to acknowledge the significance of elder abuse as a public health and human rights issue.
14 June, 2021
Helping seniors with technology during the pandemic
Connectivity has never been more important than in this last year, when the pandemic separated people from their friends and families for an extended period of time.
07 June, 2021
Saskatchewan Indigenous communities get support with financial literacy
For over 30 years, Prince Albert Literacy Network has run free literacy programming for its small community of 40,000 in Saskatchewan, of which nearly 50 per cent are Indigenous.
31 May, 2021
How to talk about literacy to people outside the field
Whether you’re trying to market your program, advocate for more government funding, or develop partnerships with sponsors, communicating the importance of adult literacy is key.
17 May, 2021
Tips for preventing the summer slide
Students lose one month’s worth of school-year learning due to summer vacation. The best way to combat the summer slide is to ensure children spend time each day practising their literacy skills.
14 May, 2021
Family financial literacy more important than ever
With many families doing homeschooling and spending more time at home, the time to address the family’s financial literacy together has never come at a better time.
13 May, 2021
Workplace training brings hospitality staff closer together
Despite already having a fantastic close-knit staff, the Hungry Heart Cafe decided to implement workplace training workshops through the UP Skills for Work program, offered through Activate Learning.
06 May, 2021
How to manage financial stress for better mental health
Although a constant worry for many of us, financial stress may be worse than ever during the pandemic. Learn how to manage financial stress.
30 April, 2021
Seniors learn to identify fake news in digital literacy workshop
A YMCA in Kitchener recently launched a pilot program designed to build digital literacy amongst older adults as a way to help them better understand fake news amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.
23 April, 2021
Tech Talk Tuesdays: Spotlight on Social Media
Throughout the month of May, we’ll be hosting three webinars on social media for those that are interested in taking their know-how to the next level.
19 April, 2021
3 strategies to engage shy adult learners
Children aren’t the only ones who sometimes lack the confidence to engage in class. Many adult students are also hesitant to participate in front of peers.
14 April, 2021
Family learning activities for Spring break
During this Spring break, take the time as a family to continue learning outside of the classroom to ensure kids don’t miss out on even more schooling.
06 April, 2021
4 literacy assessment tools for adult learners
Assessments can show when a learner is ready to progress to the next level of learning and identify areas that may need extra attention or focus. Here are four assessment tools to consider.
29 March, 2021
3 small steps to start your advocacy efforts (and 3 big ones too)
As a non-profit organization, it’s your goal to raise awareness about the important work you do and bring about change to the community that you serve. One of the ways to do this is through advocacy.
23 March, 2021
Employment agency uses essential skills & employability training to help learners prepare for work
The Ability Employment Corporation provides career counselling and job placement services to persons with intellectual disabilities as well as those facing barriers to employment.
18 March, 2021
3 tips to improve your digital literacy skills
Enjoying everything the world has to offer involves going using technology. But if you don’t feel confident in doing so, it can be hard to participate.
05 March, 2021
How to create a strong password to stay safe online
March is Fraud Prevention Month, an annual awareness initiative started by the Competition Bureau to help Canadians recognize, reject and report fraud.
01 March, 2021
What you need to know about the 2021 tax season
Tax season is around the corner, which means it’s a great time to brush up on your financial literacy skills and learn more about the Canadian taxation system.
24 February, 2021
4 simple steps to implement an employee training and development program
Developing a successful employee training and development program can be time-consuming, costly and challenging without the right tools. However, the benefits are worth the investment.
15 February, 2021
3 tips for recruiting adult literacy volunteers
As a non-profit organization with a limited staffing budget, volunteers are one of your most valuable resources – and for good reason.
09 February, 2021
Tech Talk Tuesdays
We will once again be hosting Tech Talk Tuesdays to help literacy practitioners understand how to use various technology in their work with adult learners.
01 February, 2021
How to build soft skills for employees
Soft skills are the non-technical skills that help employees interact effectively with others. These can include skills such as time management, confidence and adaptability.
26 January, 2021
Families, libraries and literacy groups to celebrate Family Literacy Day virtually
Despite physical distancing rules still in place across the country, many groups are getting creative in order to take part in the annual Family Literacy Day virtually on January 27th.
21 January, 2021
Why you should have a childlike imagination – even when you’re not a child
As children, we’re encouraged to think and play creatively – and for a good reason. Being imaginative is vital to a child’s cognitive development...
19 January, 2021
10 family learning activities for Family Literacy Day
After a year of limited mobility, ABC Life Literacy Canada is encouraging families to use their imagination to explore and travel the world from the comfort of their home.
13 January, 2021
4 tips for writing effective grant applications
Whether you’re a seasoned pro or new to the non-profit world, brushing up on your grant writing skills is never a bad idea. Here are four tips for writing effective funding applications.
11 January, 2021
5 ways to travel the world from your own backyard
Award-winning illustrator and author Barbara Reid, who is the Honorary Chair of Family Literacy Day, explains that travelling can be done anywhere. Here are Barbara’s top 5 activities...
06 January, 2021
University uses literacy resources to help international students adapt to life in Canada
At Memorial University in St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador, about 17 per cent of its students are from abroad. For Deneice Falconer, it’s her job to support international students...
04 January, 2021
Webinar series on literacy programs
ABC Life Literacy Canada is pleased to announce its Fall/Winter Webinar Series outlining its various programs available to literacy practitioners and community organizations across the country.
02 January, 2021
Top 10 literacy news posts of 2020
In case you missed any of the many great news posts written for the literacy community this year, we’ve recapped the top 10 most popular.
14 December, 2020
5 family literacy activities for the holiday season
Help prevent learning loss and ensure kids return sharper than ever by encouraging family literacy activities over the school break.
11 December, 2020
Canada Life Literacy Innovation Award Honourable Mention Winners
A look at the great work being done by the four honourable mention winners of the 2020 Canada Life Literacy Innovation Award.
02 December, 2020
How self-directed learning can benefit adult learners
Here’s what practitioners should know about self-directed learning so that they can start incorporating it into their literacy programs.
30 November, 2020
Adapting literacy programs for the blind community
BALANCE for Blind Adults provides customized training and support for persons who are blind or living with sight loss and recently ran two of our literacy programs.
25 November, 2020
How to evaluate your adult literacy program in 4 easy steps
In an industry that’s strapped for resources – both financial and human capital – it can be challenging to make program evaluation a priority.
16 November, 2020The three different ways that adults learn
To help you with your adult learner teaching strategies, we’ve outlined the three different ways that adults learn and teaching tips for each.
12 November, 2020
Canada Life Literacy Innovation Award top winner: REP Here in Canada
Earlier this year, REP Here in Canada was awarded top honours for this year’s Canada Life Literacy Innovation Award for their program, Here Magazine.
10 November, 2020
New program aims to strengthen the digital literacy skills of Canadians
ABC Internet Matters provides introductory digital literacy education for Canadian seniors who are not using the internet and adult learners who have a gap on the digital curve.
02 November, 2020
