ECALA releases an annual Impact Report highlighting the positive change our funded agencies have on the adult foundational learners within their communities.
Impact Report
Learner Stories
"A learner joined the Saturday ELL program because it allowed her husband to care for their young daughter. Back home, she had been a mathematics teacher, and her primary goal in Canada was to return to the education sector. Supported by the welcoming classroom environment, she practiced her English, built a supportive network of friends, and worked closely with the instructor to customize her resume and cover letter. Supported by peer encouragement and intensive interview prep, she successfully passed her job interview and was hired as an Educational Assistant (EA). She celebrated her success by sharing traditional treats and her story of determination with her classmates." -Teacher with Indo-Canadian Women's Association
"I am walking away with such a healing. I had a dream months ago of being here with my grandmothers telling me I need to come and I chickened out last time. But came and the aunties and community here moved me to tears and I feel grateful to have been given the opportunity to have this experience and not having the barrier of paying to access this. I feel so healed and grateful and will be back to finish my moccasins." -Learner from Dickinsfield Amity House
"I feel comfortable in the class. I am among my peers. I feel a sense of home here. Before starting this class, I was unable to say one English word. I couldn't write my own name. I have improved so much this year." –Learner in Alberta Immigrant Women and Children's English Class
"When we joined Family Book Club, I wanted to help my son and to bring more learning into our life. This program showed me that small things we do every day can help our children learn and grow… We try new things and have wrote poems, made comic book, asked questions while reading, and made guesses before reading the next chapter… This program has helped us read more and make literacy goals. I have SO many goals for myself now too." – Learner from Centre for Family Literacy
"Before coming to Canada, I had no English foundation… Since joining the Daily English program in ASSIST, things started to change. I began to take the initiative to learn and do my homework... My confidence has increased significantly. Even my son noticed my improvement. He told my husband that I can now answer English questions without using Google Translate… This experience is not just about learning a language. It feels like a light that shines and builds my confidence and courage." – Learner from ASSIST
"When I joined I had very limited Math skills. It was a big point of anxiety and shame for me… I started with learning the absolute basics to build the foundation I hadn't had before and I've been working through the material slowly with my tutor... It's also been a really great feeling being able to learn the skills I didn't get to grasp as a kid and its given me confidence to try to learn more things... I can't believe that math has become something I look forward to each week… I am getting close to being able to complete the math portion of the firefighter's test with flying colours..., which is exciting." – Learner from PALS
Our Strategic Direction
