The Columbia Basin Alliance for Literacy (CBAL) is a non-profit literacy organization, providing literacy programs for people of all ages in 16 communities and surrounding areas in the Columbia Basin and Boundary regions. Programs for Children & Families
A Book Under Every Tree gathers books during November and early December for distribution to families receiving hampers at Christmas. A literacy
facilitator goes to StrongStart, grade 1 and 2 classrooms and does literacy activities (stories, puppet shows, and felt stories) to support the children’s language, literacy and numeracy development. Family Night Out is a drop-in family play group with songs, stories, gym time and more. Come for a free bowl of homemade soup, meet new parents, share stories and ideas and strengthen the bond with your child. Homework Club offers assistance to children with their homework as well as provides a nutritious after school snack. Little Explorers is a preschool program for children and their families. Parents and children participate in literacy activities that they can learn and do together at home. One-to-One Reading trains community volunteers to read with children in school. Children in the program read with a volunteer three times a week for half an hour. Parent-Child Mother Goose is a program for babies and toddlers that encourage early language development. Rhymes, songs, finger-plays and stories are taught to parents and children over a period of several weeks. Roots of Empathy is a parenting program for children delivered in a school classroom. A baby is introduced in each class and visits throughout the year. The children participate in a curriculum to identify the developmental traits of the baby, discuss various aspects of child-raising, and explore their own emotions as they observe the baby. Programs for Adults
Adult and Seniors Computer Course offers an opportunity to learn and improve computer skills, including word processing, creating tables, emailing and using the internet. Adult Tutoring Program offers one-on-one and group instruction for adults wishing to improve their reading, writing, math and/or computer literacy skills. (Nakusp CAP – Site)
Books Everywhere offers free used books and magazines to adults and children. CAP Site provides community access to computers and the internet. It houses the adult literacy program coordinator’s office and CBAL resources, offers business services at low cost to the public, and rebuilds computers to give to families in need. Open 5 days a week in Nakusp! English as a Second Language offers individuals seeking to improve their English, including reading, writing and speaking, one-on-one or group-based instruction. Reading to Seniors is a weekly reading program in New Denver provided to disabled and frail senior citizens who can no longer read themselves.
