A History of the Campbell River Community Literacy Association supporting learning in Campbell River Community since 2001
In the mid-1990s, Campbell River was a very different place. The Asian market was experiencing an economic downturn, causing a significant drop in demand for the natural resources harvested and processed in the area. This shift led to a growing number of people seeking retraining to adapt to a changing job market.
During the 1970s and 80s, many high school graduates completed only Grade 10, moving directly into employment in industries like forestry, fishing, and mining. These jobs typically required little in terms of literacy; instead, they relied on physical strength and the willingness to learn essential safety and operational skills. At that time, Continuing Education was based in the back lot of Phoenix Elementary, where they began to see a large influx of displaced workers seeking support. It quickly became evident that many would need to improve their literacy skills to reach their goals.
Champions for adult literacy, such as Florence Redpath and Vicki Simmons, emerged to advocate for those needing enhanced literacy skills to achieve their life ambitions. Their dedication led to the establishment of the Campbell River and Community Literacy Association. The organization’s first location was a small storefront on St. Anne’s Road, where Broadstreet Properties now stands. It later moved to the North Island College facility on Elm Street, now known as Mariner’s Square or Save-On Foods, before finally settling at Robron Centre in 2006.
Throughout its history, the organization has operated under the guidance of a volunteer board and has adapted its programming to meet the evolving needs of the community. One notable figure in this journey was Carol Forbes, a key employee who championed a flexible, learner-centered approach tailored to individual needs. Her understanding and empathy for those facing learning challenges were foundational in building the organization.
Today, her legacy lives on. Our team meets adults at every stage of their literacy journey, providing a curriculum that respects and engages learners in a dignified manner. Literacy work transforms lives, reshapes personal outcomes, and creates lasting change.
~ Written by: Cathy Patrucco – Long Standing Board Member ~
Campbell River Literacy Now
A community guided and responsive literacy programming and resource was welcomed to the Campbell River community in 2006 as a legacy investment leading into the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. As an initial pilot community and working alongside School District 72 the literacy task group performed a comprehensive community scan of existing and emerging literacy needs. This information gathering led to working alongside existing programs and service providers to amplify the message of literacy as a foundational need and describe the challenges faced by adults living the experience of low literacy. (45% of British Columbians)
To ensure that the community literacy initiatives from 2010 Legacies Now continued to foster strong individuals, families, and communities through literacy resources, training, and funding, Decoda Literacy Solutions was created. This organization was formed by merging two key literacy groups: the literacy branch of 2010 Legacies Now and Literacy BC.
15 years after the Winter Games, Decoda through its network of over 98 Literacy Outreach Coordinators now supports children, families, youth, adults, seniors, and both Indigenous and immigrant communities through community-based literacy programs and initiatives in over 400 communities across BC. Interested in literacy work in your community? Click here!
Locally driven and supported work in literacy provides learning and messaging opportunities tailored to the needs of the residents of the region make long lasting impact for the entire community.
Projects that Campbell River Literacy Now supports:
- Fostering Literacy – Volunteer driven reading program for elementary children
- VIHA – New Books for children at immunization clinics
- Early Years Tables and messaging for parents
- Family Literacy Week Events
- Trick or Book partnership with VIRL and Altrusa International
- Community storywalks
