North Bay Literacy Council

With approximately 33% of North Bay’s population possessing literacy skills below the grade 12 level, the services North Bay Literacy Council provide are crucial for the community. Primarily running one-on-one tutoring, their near 80 volunteer tutors are coordinated and carefully matched with students by a tutor coordinator. All tutors are trained twice a year through the Laubach Method, whose methods are founded on the “Each One Teach One” philosophy.

Predominantly run through volunteer support, the North Bay Literacy Council is dedicated to helping adults improve their reading, writing, spelling, math, and computer skills. Their programs are designed for those 19 and older and include one to one tutoring, small group literacy classes, computer literacy, parent workshops, Essential Skills workshops, and GED preparation.

The goals of the students entering these programs vary, including independence, employability, and academic training. In order to raise awareness about literacy and recruit students and volunteers, the North Bay Literacy Council hosts an annual Scrabble challenge and other awareness raising events.. They are also holding a Literacy and Health Symposium in August to promote the education of understanding of health information - both from a health practitioner’s and a consumer’s point of view.