2024 officially marks the 125th anniversary of United for Literacy, formerly Frontier College. United for Literacy has been delivering literacy programs to people in communities across Canada since 1899. We started by hosting reading camps equipped with books and volunteers to teach people in remote locations. Our founder’s approach was “every place is a learning place,” which established how education and basic literacy was taught throughout Canada.
Today, we offer a variety of programs all over the country.

In Alberta, we have in-school and summer camp programs in Grande Prairie, Edmonton, Calgary, Lethbridge, and in over 20 Indigenous communities. These literacy and numeracy programs include the following:

• after-school homework clubs, including reading, writing, and STEM support
• workplace literacy
• essential skills for adults
• learning support for adults with developmental disabilities
• Reading Tents where children learn to love reading
• Summer Literacy Camps to keep kids reading and learning during the summer
• small group tutoring and conversation groups for newcomers

Practical and goal-oriented, some programs are in-person, while others reach people online. Our programs are tailored to people of different ages and life stages. We work to meet the community’s priorities and goals. Educators consider our programs to be best-in-class examples of Student-Centred Individualized Learning principles.

We are seeking to expand our current programs so that we can reach more Albertans. Specifically, we hope to be able to expand our presence in Calgary and Edmonton and their surrounding areas by providing reading circle programs for children and adults; more summer reading tents for children; and training for adults in the areas of Soft Skills; English Language Skills; Digital Skills, and Numeracy Skills.