SARAH WILLIAMS

STAFF WRITER

The future is brighter for the students at the Prince Edward Learning Centre. The organization’s recent Annual General Meeting showcased the achievements of learners and the work done at the centre this year.

Maureen Adams, Chair of the Board, spoke about the Centre’s new strategic plan and the important role learners play in shaping its priorities.

PELC AWARD-Terri Martin (left), Instructor, stands next Jared Johnson, another recipient of the PELC Award. (Submitted Photo)

“Learners are at the centre of everything we do here. This past year, a key focus was community development and advocacy.  This includes building civic literacy and advocating for solutions to pressing issues,” explained Ms. Adams. “Most importantly, it ensures people with lived experiences have their voices heard on issues that affect their lives.

Adams explained that now, action needs to be taken on poverty reduction, employment, and food insecurity.

“The most immediate issue to address will be homelessness and affordable housing,” said Adams. “In partnership with The County Foundation and Thrive PEC, we have explored solutions, such as building community land trusts. That is where a community purchases land and holds that land in trust for community uses — such as affordable housing.”

As for housing, “our learners stepped up,” said Ms. Adams, “making deputations to council regarding affordable housing. We’re pleased to see the momentum building on the housing front. Sometimes you can be advocating for housing for several years and, sometimes, moments of opportunity arise, which is what it feels like is happening.”

Kathy Kennedy, the Centre’s Executive Director, spoke on the day-to-day programs at the Centre.

These include essential skills upgrading, youth training, free tax clinics, financial empowerment and the PEC Fresh Good Food Market.

“This past year, we served more learners than we had annually in our history. Over 108 learners graduated high school and five attended college,” said Ms. Kennedy. “We were pleased to participate with the Waring House Partnership for Excellence which kickstarted our work in workplace literacy. We also had group programming, including Arts Teach, Computer Class, Book Worms Book Club, Babies and Beyond at the Hub, Money Life Skills and more.”

Ms. Kennedy described partnering with the aquaponics farmers group from Kate’s Rest.  She also noted the Inspire Youth Employment Program has had close to 100 participants over the past three years.

Inspire offers on-the-job training to learners in a wide range of sectors.

PELC’s Financial Empowerment Program completed 638 tax returns this year, compared to 558 last year.

“The program supports those who have energy and rental arrears and complicated financial problems,” explained Kennedy. “We estimate about $3 million in direct benefits as a result of of this program.”

And, in a first for PELC, Ms. Kennedy noted the Homeless Benefit Program has allowed them to help people at risk of losing their housing or who are homeless.

“It allows us to help people with systems navigations and access to basic needs,” said Ms. Kennedy.