Proud Moments

The Saint John Learning Exchange Celebrates 25 Years

The Saint John Learning Exchange celebrated its 25th anniversary on May 7th, 2009. Our “Celebration of Learning” event took place at the Saint John Art Centre, starting with a meet & mingle breakfast, with pianist Neil Bonney providing the background ambiance.

Special speakers bringing greetings and congratulations included: Saint John Mayor Ivan Court, Roxanne Fairweather – Chief Operating Officer and VP of Innovatia, and Belinda Allen – SJLE Board Secretary.

Both current and former learners spoke about how coming to the Learning Exchange has changed their lives in a positive manner.
A prize for the award winning Essay “How coming to the Learning Exchange has changed my Life” was presented to CALP learner Ricky Marr.

The draw for the donated Poppy Print was won by Peter Seymour. A special thanks to James Wilson & Cathy Wright for their generous donation of this original print.

(Above Left) Guests at the Saint John Learning Exchange's 25th Anniversary Open House.

(Above Right) Saint John Mayor, Ivan Court, congratulates Saint John Learning Exchange essay winner Ricky Marr at the Open House.

Government Announces $250,000 for Essential Skills Program

May 6, 2009

Saint John (CNB) -- Government is investing $250,000 over three years for a new training program in Workplace Essential Skills Leading to Work (TIES 2 Work) that will provide employment opportunities for people living in poverty, Post Secondary Education, Training, and Labour Minister Donald Arseneault announced at the Learning Exchange in Saint John today.

“TIES 2 Work is a new employer-specific training approach that matches employers and potential employees through workplace essential skills training,” said Minister Arseneault. “By focusing on specific, practical skills needed by employers, this program will train and place up to 24 individuals each year in positions with various local companies. This is an important step in transitioning participants to full time employment and helping bring New Brunswickers towards self-sufficiency.”

TIES 2 Work will be managed by a leadership team with representatives from the community, business, education and government. The program, funded through the Department of Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour and delivered at the Saint John Learning Exchange, will provide participants with essential skills training to prepare them to be matched with specific job openings.

“The TIES 2 Work program is an excellent example of collaboration between community based programs, business, government, NBCC-Saint John Campus and UNBSJ. It is a privilege to work with a team who share a common vision of moving people out of poverty and into work” said Regena Farnsworth, Chair of the Leadership Team.

Employers are set to benefit from this collaborative effort, with reductions in the cost and risk of bringing on new employees. There is also the possibility of increased productivity as a result of having trained and screened employees. This program is an investment in the recommendations from the Benefits Blueprint Report.

“Community partnerships such as this are crucial to improving on the continuum of programs offered in Saint John”, says Kate Barnett, President of the Saint John Learning Exchange. “Through this partnership we are now able to provide not only literacy programs, but Workplace Essential Skills training that leads to full time employment.”

Matthew Lennon is this year's recipient of The Co-Operators Learner Achievement Award. This award is presented to an outstanding Adult Basic Education Learner as part of the annual Peter Gzowski Invitational (PGI) Golf Tournament activities. Criteria for the award include exceptional progress, excellent attendance and recommendation by their program facilitator. Matthew received his award at the Capital Theatre in Moncton, NB on August 20, 2008 at a special ceremony. Congratulations Matt!

(Above Left) Matthew Lennon at the awards ceremony with Christina Fowler and Janelle Flanagan of the Saint John Learning Exchange and Saint John Harbour MLA, Hon. Dr. Ed Doherty.

(Above Right) Matthew and Dr. Doherty with former New Brunswick Lieutenant-Governor, The Hon. Marilyn Trenholme Counsell.

Anna-Lin Sutherland is an award winner in the annual Bread and Roses Writing Contest, a contest that encourages women learners in literacy organizations to write. This year's theme was "I'm going to be nicer to me". The purpose was to have women discuss, reflect, brainstorm, share, and write down their ideas about how women can be better to themselves when they are learning and how they can stop putting themselves and others down. Anna's poetry will be posted on the website www.learningandviolence.net in the near future.  Congratulations Anna!

The Saint John Learning Exchange has been awarded a Council of the Federation Literacy Award. The award is issued each year and recognizes the contributions made by Canadians in the field of literacy. Each award recipient receives a certificate signed by the premier of their province or territory, as well as a Council of the Federation Literacy Award medallion.

This award was presented on April 16, 2008 in Fredericton.

The Saint John Learning Exchange was pleased to present “"An Evening of Inspiration" with keynote speaker Lesra Martin on Sept. 27, 2007, in support of literacy. Lesra Martin is a testament to the power of education and self-determination in creating a better future for individuals and their families. Lesra has spread his message while appearing on the Oprah show and was invited to speak at the United Nations. As quoted by Lesra Martin on his website www.lesra.com “"I found my freedom through reading. I loathe the thought that there are people out there who don't know how huge the world is, how magnificent it can be, because they can't read." Through his inspiring presentations, Lesra show audiences that the power to make a difference exists in each of us.

(Above) Saint John Mayor, Norm McFarlane, speaks with Lesra Martin and Saint John Deputy Mayor, Michelle Hooton.

Special Thanks to our sponsors for this event: Canwest Global Telegraph Journal Innovatia Tim Hortons CUPE Chipman Hill Suites Saint John Co-op West Xerox 97.3 The Wave / Country 94 Thanks to our supporters who purchased tables for this event: Art & Dorothy Sheppard Bonney Construction Ltd. City of Saint John Colour Center CUPE Enterprise Saint John ExxonMobile Innovatia Irving Oil Ltd. Rob Moore M.P. Saint John Fire Department Uptown Saint John Inc. WHSCC