Funding cutbacks will have a big impact on literacy programs in Wellington County.
With Literacy Day just around the corner (Jan. 27), the loss of stimulus funding used by the Wellington County Learning Centre over the past two years means the centre will lose roughly 30% of its operating costs and effectively push it back to 1997 funding levels.
Executive director Elizabeth Debergh said as of April 1, the Wellington County Learning Centre will lose $43,320 in stimulus funding for literacy services in rural Wellington County.
“This will greatly impact the services provided by the centre,” she said. “The Learning Centre receives funding to provide literacy programs to 80 adults.”
The centre’s catchment area includes rural Wellington County, excluding Guelph, although most of those served are from the northern portion of the county.
“This year alone the Learning Centre has served 135 adults to date with our fiscal year-end being March 31,” Debergh said. “I forecast serving over 150 adults. The recession is not over and our services continue to be in high demand. Other than the stimulus funding, the Learning Centre has not received an increase in its budget since 1997.
“We are being asked to go back to that level of funding, which means reducing centre hours, staff hours and the number of learners we are able to serve.”
Debergh again brought the issue to light during an Arthur Chamber of Commerce-sponsored meeting with Ontario PC Leader Tim Hudak. Earlier that morning, Hudak mentioned to her that his mother, a retired teacher, is a volunteer with a literacy council.
Debergh stated that for the last few years, there had been stimulus funding to assist the literacy council – but that funding is slated to end as of April 1. She asked Hudak about the possibility of that funding being continued.
Hudak responded he anticipated both the federal and provincial governments will be operating with fiscal restraint, and added there will be challenges.
Hudak commented that debt wise, Ontario has created a big enough hole that “our debt is bigger than all the other provinces combined.” Thus, “I don’t anticipate another round of stimulus funding,” Hudak said.
At the same time, he agreed literacy programs are important.
“I certainly hope the budget will continue to support such programs,” said Hudak.
Wellington-Halton Hills MPP Ted Arnott agreed with Hudak’s comments. Arnott said he’s seen the results of the local workers assisting with literacy and numeric skills.
Arnott said one of his objectives would be to see such programs continue in the future.
In a later interview with the Advertiser, Debergh was not surprised at the political response that morning. She explained the stimulus funding of $43,320 last year accounted for about 30% of last year’s budget for the Wellington County Learning Centre.
Debergh found out about the cuts when the organization was preparing it’s 2011 business plan in December.
“We were told to base our budget on the 2008/09 figures,” she said.
Without the funding, Debergh anticipates the Learning Centre will be closed on certain days and there will be less staff. As a result, the centre will not be able to help as many adults.
At the same time, she hopes the federal government will reconsider its decision and provide added funding for the centre – based on the number of people in need.
She contended that based on the numbers of people served, “We’re still in a recession.”
Debergh also stressed the learning centre is more than about helping people who cannot read or write.
Programs at the learning centre also help people earn their GED / high school equivalency and work towards college preparedness.
“Knowing that 88% of future jobs will require a higher degree of literacy, it is imperative that we continue to invest in literacy in order to give adults in Wellington County the opportunity to upgrade their skills and improve the economy,” Debergh said.
She noted many of those coming to the centre are working towards a high school equivalency or to improve existing math or literacy skills.
As a further example, Debergh commented that roughly 30% of those using the centre are employed, but feel their jobs may be cut in the future.
“They are trying to be prepared,” she said.
Others have been in the workforce for a number of years, but were hired in an era when high school diplomas were not required.
She added the center has served Wellington for two decades.
“We’d like to be able to continue to offer this service for free.” Debergh said many of those who use the programs have lower incomes.
She encouraged residents to contact their local provincial politicians to garner support for the local program.
In both 2009 and 2010 Perth-Wellington MPP John Wilkinson commented on the importance of funding of literacy programs.
In 2010 he stated, “Ontario is building a highly skilled and educated workforce and [we need to] ensure employees can obtain the skills they need to meet the requirements of today’s employers,” he said.
In 2009, he also said “People remain our number one asset in Wellington. Investing in literacy skills means providing more opportunities for people to be the best, strengthening our local economy and helping our neighbourhoods grow.”
