St. Albert Further Education celebrated its golden anniversary this past Friday at Red Willow Place. For 50 years the organization has programmed learning classes, workshops and generally attempted to offer continuing education for children, teens and adults.
Currently, continuing education, free tutoring and English language learning are only offered to adults at two St. Albert locations – its main offices on 80 McKenney Ave. and the Newcomer Centre at St. Albert Centre.
But in digging back through history to 1974, the initial organization appeared to function as a wing under the city’s Parks and Recreation Department. Early documentation is sparse. But whatever remains is a time capsule of an organization that brought people of all ages together by nurturing their various interests.
The few activity and course calendars that remain suggest Further Education functioned as a combination Family Resource Centre, sports academy, arts school, social guide and health promoter.
Activities were programmed for everyone, from preschoolers to seniors. They included a wide variety of sports from baseball to karate to fencing. The influence of the 70s granola hippies was still popular when viewed through the lens of adult macrame, batik, and ink loom weaving classes. True to the era, keep fit and yoga classes were also in huge demand.
In 1976, St. Albert’s population was roughly 18,500. With low numbers, fine art studios were few and Further Education took on the role of programming dance classes and visual art programs.
Judging from the long list of parenting classes on how-to-raise children, there was a big emphasis on building strong family units. But some classes such as “Make Hostessing a Happy Time,” reveal a quaint outdated lifestyle choice.
Seven years later, the Sturgeon Health Unit was offering information, Toastmasters was active and St. Albert Majorettes were accepting applications for girls six and older.
By 1991, Further Education was incorporated and funded by Alberta Education, and the focus shifted to adult continuing education.
“It certainly has changed from the beginning, because now it’s foundational learning – reading, writing, math, digital skills and job skills. We even have English language learning through the Star Literacy program,” said Dana Wallace, St. Albert Further Education office manager.
More recently, Wallace has run workshops on scams and artificial intelligence. However, the emphasis is trying not to duplicate what other organizations are presenting.
Despite some of the revolutionary changes that occurred in the last 50 years, the course calendar continues to come out three times per year – fall, winter and summer.
Currently two of the more in-demand programs are Money Matters, an introductory workshop to financial literacy for adults struggling with money management and Spanish.
“We have Level 1 to 3 Spanish and we’re going to start up Level 4. People like it, and I think it’s mainly due to people travelling more. We have up to 30 people in a class,” Wallace said.
She added knitting, sewing and crocheting are enjoying an upswing because of their low-key vibe.
“People like to come in. It’s a very relaxing atmosphere. They come in, do a project and chat with each other.”
One of Further Education’s biggest feats was the 2022 opening of the Newcomers’ Centre in St. Albert Centre.
“We do intake for newly arrived people to St. Albert. When we find out their needs, we provide referrals to different agencies and to the food bank if they need it. We can direct them to the Housing Society and to Michael Cooper’s office for immigration information. And if they need English classes, we can assist them.”
Currently, Further Education has 150 volunteer tutors who are matched with learners.
“Our biggest asset is the tutoring program. We recruit, but we have many tutors from the community who want to give back. It’s rewarding for both learners and tutors, and they can become friends for years.”
In 2023, the City of St. Albert assisted with funding. It handed out two grants totalling $110,00 while St. Albert Community Foundation provided $14,000 to the Newcomere Centre.
Perhaps the single biggest challenge the organization faces is visibility.
“In the last five years, we’ve used more social media. Even though we’ve been here 50 years, a lot of people still don’t know we’re here.”
For more information call 780-460-2207 or go online at stalbertfurthered.com.
