The life chances of marginalized individuals and subsequent growth of the local economy are bolstered through the wrap-around support offered at Street School.

“Street School” refers to the SD #73 Continuing Education program which services adults by offering courses necessary for an Adult Dogwood diploma, and providing graduated students with upgrading for employment or entrance into post-secondary programs, all free of charge. Street School operates out of two classroom locations: one in North Kamloops in the basement of St. Georges Anglican Church and the other located within the Kamloops Regional Correctional Centre. This program, now entering its 7th year, grew out of a classroom at the New Life Mission which serviced the "street people" of Kamloops. We work with marginalized populations to improve not only their grades, but their confidence in their abilities, their optimism for the future, and ultimately their over-all well-being. Also we service incarcerated students, helping them transition back into the community and reducing rates of recidivism, approximately 30% of our students are Aboriginal adults from this urban centre and rural reserves, and we provide new opportunities for many older, displaced or unskilled workers. Not only is our clientèle unique, but so too is our approach to adult education.

Problem

The 2006 census revealed that 22% of the local population had less than high school education, resulting in a low-skills/low-wage/high unemployment regional economy. In fact, the most recent (July 2012) data shows 8.2% of our 90,000 residents are presently unemployed. Recent declines in forestry have resulted in job loss for many older, unskilled workers. Yet new jobs are available in the region in the mining sector, however high school graduation is a requirement for this skilled workforce. Therefore, acquiring an Adult Dogwood through the Street School program improves students' opportunity for employment and further job skills training. Also reducing recidivism, we provide inmates with employment skills and educational upgrading upon release. We are making a tangible difference!

Solution

Over the past 5 years the number of adult learners who have upgraded through our program has grown from 163 to over 500 annually. The number of graduates obtaining their Adult Dogwood Degree has risen from less than 10 to over 50 in 2012. The key to this success has been our Literacy Outreach Worker. Our LOW interviews individuals and works closely with teachers to assess skill levels and to determine possible prior learning credits, arriving at students present educational needs. She then becomes a student advocate: counseling individuals and working closely with probation officers, social workers, aboriginal bands and community service providers to ensure students' financial, transportation, housing, health, daycare and other fundamental needs are met. Upon completing their learning plans, our LOW transitions students into post-secondary/trades programs, or provides them with job search skills as she works with local employment agencies and regional employers to find job placements.

Example

1. KS was referred to Street School from New Life Mission. After meeting with Probations our LOW established a placement at Community Gardens for KS, whose interest was horticulture. Once KS gained confidence, our LOW took KS to the Gathering Place at TRU to access housing and financial aid, enabling him to continue his studies in horticulture at the post-secondary level. 2. LT was a single mom fleeing a violent relationship. For 6 months our LOW helped her with a Victim Impact Statement, accompanied her to court and secured child care for her. This enabled LT to finish her Adult Dogwood diploma and with a reference from our LOW, LT enrolled in the Human Services program at TRU, which she has nearly completed. 3. MS had made countless applications for financial aid. Our LOW fought to get funding for him to participate in the Work Search program. Despite his criminal background he graduated with his Adult Dogwood and now is working full-time. 4.JS was treated for severe mental health issues. Our LOW connected her with psychiatrists, nurses and community workers, even accompanying her to appointments. JS since graduated and moved away to attend college, but she still is in regular contact with our LOW. 5. DW had been working on his Adult Dogwood in the alternate program before being incarcerated. When his sentence was finished he completed his diploma at Street School, and with the help of our LOW enrolled at TRU where he is in the third year of the Social Work program. These cases are typical of the varied support offered by our LOW and the resulting successes.

Marketplace

SD #73's Street School program is unique for these reasons. First, we grew out of a classroom at the New Life Mission which serviced the "street people" of Kamloops. Unlike its counterparts in the lower mainland, which cater to a much higher percentage of ESL students and those upgrading for UBC or SFU, we work with marginalized populations in an impoverished neighborhood, to improve not only their grades, but their confidence in their abilities, their optimism for the future, and ultimately their over-all well-being. Also we service incarcerated students, helping them transition back into the community and reducing rates of recidivism, and we cater to many aboriginal students from rural reserves, as well as older, displaced forestry workers. So both our clientèle and approach is unique.