ABOUT THE WEST SIDE LITERACY HUB
The West Side Literacy Hub is a network of local organizations and community members who work together to promote literacy in its many forms on the West Side of Vancouver. It is facilitated by the Literacy Outreach Coordinator (LOC), based out of Kitsilano Neighbourhood House. Funding for the Literacy Hub comes from Decoda Literacy.
Decoda is proud to support the literacy network in BC and works with 98 Literacy Outreach Coordinators (LOCs) serving 400 communities across the province. Kits House and the West Side Literacy Hub are one of these groups. These LOCs work with local community literacy task groups, or Literacy Hubs, which are made up of representatives from various community organizations such as libraries, family resource programs, employment agencies, the business community, the K-12 school system, and literacy organizations. Together, they identify local literacy needs and priorities. They develop action plans to deliver literacy programs and services that best serve people in their communities.
The Literacy Hub meets regularly, and each year works collectively to host the West Side Literacy Fair – an all-ages event that showcases literacy in its many forms. Usually held in late May, the West Side Literacy Fair is an outdoor event that takes place at the Kits Branch of the Vancouver Public Library and surrounding area(s).
MISSION
To work together to provide resources, education, and support for literacy initiatives and to respond to emerging needs and service gaps in literacy on the West Side through networking, collaboration, access to resources, and education.
WHAT IS LITERACY?
Literacy is critical in helping us make sense of our world. From the time we wake up to the time we go to sleep, we are constantly making meaning of the world around us.
Literacy has traditionally been thought of as reading and writing. Although these are essential components of literacy, today our understanding of literacy encompasses much more, here are some examples of the various types of literacy the Hub supports:
| Early Years | Environmental | Functional |
| Civic/Social | Ethical | Health & Safety |
| Community Safety | Family | Language |
| Cyber | Financial | Legal |
| Cultural | Food Security | Numerical |
| Digital & Computer | Foundational – Reading, Writing & Meaning Making | Physical |
Buy Socks for Literacy!
The Kitsilano Blue Sky Clothing Co. store donates $1 from every pair of merino or bamboo socks sold in their store back to Kits House Literacy Programs!
These funds are used to support literacy initiatives on the Westside; events like Family Literacy Day and the Westside Literacy Fair.
The Kitsilano W.4th Blue Sky Clothing Co. store is located at W. 4th & Maple.
