Collaborative partnerships are an important part of a successful literacy initiative. Partnerships form the basis of community led literacy programs in British Columbia. Some challenges that literacy task groups and programs face are sustainable funding models and strategies for delivering programs and services. Strong community partnerships can help address these problems. In fact, cross-sectoral collaboration can even help boost the impact of the work in areas where previously it had limited or no reach.

“A quality adult literacy and basic education program works collaboratively with other organizations and agencies to support the program, the learners and the program staff.” – NWT Literacy Council

The Family Literacy Action Group of Alberta outlined some of the many benefits to community partnerships:

• sharing limited budgets
• sponsorship and donations
• meeting funding agency criteria
• help with program recruitment challenges
  • referrals
  • making groups available
  • incorporating literacy into existing programs
  • creating greater awareness of programs
• sharing expertise
• pooling resources

“When you are able to tap in to all that your partners bring to the table, you are more likely to develop effective plans that the entire community can support, and more likely to be able to fund those plans as well.” – Andy Coe

To learn more about how to form and maintain successful community partnerships, read through the resources listed below.

Resources

Adults

• Best Practices in Action: Tools for Community-Based Adult Literacy and Basic Education Programs – See chapters 11, 12 & 13
• Business-Adult Education Partnerships Toolkit: Adult Education Providers
• Literacy Outreach Coordination Guidebook

Children & families

• Building Strong and Effective Community Partnerships: A Manual for Family Literacy Workers
• Engaging ELL Families Through Community Partnerships – Focused on schools, but adaptable to other organizations
• Resources for Building Community Partnerships – Focused on schools, but adaptable to other organizations

Non-profits

• 10 Tips for Effective Community Partnerships
• How to Develop Strong Community Partnerships for Your Nonprofit
• The partnership handbook & The partnership facilitator’s guide