A local charity that supports newcomers to the city has been given a financial boost by the regional business network chapter.
On Saturday Feb. 11, The BNI (Business Network International) Alberta North and the BNI Canada Foundation held its 13th annual Charity Award Gala in support of several area charities, including Further Education St. Albert.
“I really have been working really hard over the last five or six years to help Albertans know who we are and the kind of work we do,” Cheryl Dumont, executive director for Further Education said.
“For people who don't have the skills that they need to be able to live and work successfully, we want to make that change.”
The local organization is a local non-profit focused on continuing education, tutoring, English language learning, family literacy, and newcomer connections that has been working in the community for almost 49 years. The organization was one of seven Alberta charities supported by the BNI gala.
The Charity Awards Gala supported 7 local charities, including Berkeley's Place, Central Lions Seniors Association, Chrysalis, Cool Aid Society Grande Prairie, KidSport Leduc and County, St. Albert Further Education, and Voice of Albertans with Disabilities.
Dumont explained that Further Education strives to support adults in the community who are "foundational learners."
“Our mission is basically to help adults who have difficulty with reading, writing, and digital skills. We often call them foundational learners, [they are often] people who did not finish high school,” she explained. Alongside continuing education, the non-profit offers general interest courses as well as English language courses and additional assistance for newcomers settling in St. Albert.
While the exact amount of money raised has not yet been announced, it will be split evenly between Further Education and the six other Alberta charities.
In addition to the funds raised toward the organization’s work, Dumont said that BNI have been very supportive, including help raise money during the holiday season.
Dumont said over $2,000 was raised at Christmas, which went toward gift cards and food for the many newcomers using Further Education’s services.
“We were able to help 12 families, newcomer families … About half of Ukrainians that arrived here pretty soon find themselves food insecure. So, they are using the food bank and it was nice to provide that food and support,” she explained.
