Our Work
The basis for our approach
We create stronger communities where children and their families can build foundational learning and literacy skills they need to create beneficial and lasting change in their lives.
Pillars of work
1. Free educational program delivery in Calgary
FESA collaborates with over 35 community agencies to offer learner-centred adult foundational learning, family literacy, and parenting programming designed specifically for those with the lowest levels of literacy skills.
2. Training and skill building for community workers
We provide Train the Facilitator workshops nationally, building community capacity to address gaps in essential skills, literacy, and parenting skills. FESA offers several models of facilitator training for individuals working in a wide range of community and/or workplace settings. Additionally, we are well versed in offering facilitator trainings in remote and isolated communities. Our training modules are based on specific adult foundational learning and literacy needs of community organizations who are working with low-literate learners, including new Canadians, Indigenous communities, vulnerable families, single parents, francophone communities, diverse workplaces, and families who have experienced domestic violence.
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3. Partnership building and community development
Nationally, provincially, and locally we work to facilitate strong, sustainable partnerships with agencies who serve low-literate populations through bringing our programs, trainings, and resources to them.
Common partnerships include:
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Cultural groups
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Family literacy organizations
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Social service agencies
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Emergency shelters
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School boards
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We work collaboratively with a cross-sector of community to bring a voice to the concerns and needs of foundational learners and vulnerable families across Canada.
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4. Research and curriculum development
Our research has led us to develop foundational learning programs and curricula that target the specific needs of learners and communities. Extensive research into learning gaps and needs has led to the design of curricula specific to Indigenous learners, new Canadians, francophone learners, families who have experienced domestic violence, and in workplace settings. These curricula are used in both our Calgary programs and Train the Facilitator programs, and are available as resources to other community agencies. You can visit our e-store to purchase available curricula.