Nearly 55,000 kids, parents, and caregivers in B.C., including in rural, remote, and Indigenous communities, can access family literacy programs to improve their reading skills through the annual Raise-a-Reader campaign, on now through to September 29th.

Nearly 55,000 kids, parents, and caregivers in B.C., including in rural, remote, and Indigenous communities, can access family literacy programs to improve their reading skills through the annual Raise-a-Reader campaign, on now through to September 29th.

Municipal Affairs Minister Nathan Cullen says contributions to the campaign help support year-round programing for children and their families to engage in reading, playing and other activities that help develop reading skills.

The province is providing $500,000 to the campaign to support literacy programs offered through community organizations, public libraries, and schools.

Money raised through the campaign reaches children and families through programs, such as one-to-one reading and tutoring programs, story walks, and English-language learning.

Nearly one-half of people aged 16 to 65 have difficulty following instruction manuals, reading health information, understanding newspapers and more.

Since 1997, the campaign has generated more than $21 million to support literacy initiatives in the province.