MAD HATTER 2

 

NORMA KIDD

“It's hard to believe some of the coping
strategies that people will use when
they try to hide the fact that they cannot
read or write,” she says.

“Some carry a shame and stigma
around for years, and we have to make
them realize that just because they did
not learn to read or write by Grade 8
that it was not their fault.”

Besides helping illiterate adults con-
tact education programs in their area,
Project Literacy is involved in compi-
ling a resource guide for ABE
programs in B.C. and answering
hundreds of inquiries from potential
students. They also sponsored a Walk
for Literacy in October 1986 when
former Vancouver Mayor Mike
Harcourt declared it Vancouver
Literacy Day,

When special TV programs are shown
on the American PBS station, Project
Literacy runs a telephone number on
the screen and up to |0 volunteers are
there to answer calls. In less than two
hours, up to 150 contacts can be made.

Most importantly, says Kidd, the
project is also involved in setting up a
literary resource centre where adults
can drop in or call to find out about up-
grading their skills virtually anywhere
in the province.

“We want to make sure that adults in
B.C. have an opportunity to improve
their reading or writing abilities,” Kidd
says. "A second chance for learning
should always be there.”

The presentation of the NCCSCE
"Person of the Year” award will be
made on April 28 at a special luncheon
of the National Council of Community
and Junior Colleges in Dallas, Texas.

Norma Kidd has been an instructor at
Douglas College since 1983 following
work with adult literacy programs for
the Delta and Coquitlam School
Boards and 20 years of teaching.

 

For more information on Project
Literacy B.C. please contact Kidd at
Douglas College or the ABE Associa-
tion at 594-0664.

ARTSMART continued

Combining an evening lecture for
parents only and a two-hour guided
tour of the Burnaby Art Gallery with
children invited, the program shows
parents how to communicate their
appreciation and encouragement of
their children’s talent.

Professor Robert Steel of the Art
Education program at UBC will give
the lecture and tour of the “Arts Alive in
the Schools” exhibit now showing at
the Burnaby Art Gallery.

 

The program is only offered on the
evening of Thursday, April 30 and the
morning of Saturday, May 2. A cost of
$20 includes refreshments during the
tour.

Group size is limited, so parents are
encouraged to contact the Community
Programs and Services division at
Douglas College at 520-5473 for
registration information.

 

 

 

 

Norma Kidd, ABE instructor at the Maple Ridge campus of Douglas College
was named Person of the Year by Region Ten of the National Council of
Community Services and Continuing Education (NCCSCE).