Muslim woman learning on a computer with help

Kingston Literacy & Skills

Changing Lives Through Language and Learning

Kingston Literacy & Skills is a non-profit community agency offering free training for adults in Kingston, Ontario, and the surrounding communities. We welcome every learner and provide the highest quality of education and support to help you meet your goals. Get personalized instruction in English language, reading, writing, math, computers, and job skills. Learn in a modern and supportive environment. Our staff create a plan with you to build skills for a better future. Thousands of adults over more than 40 years have found success through KL&S. We have two locations to serve our community with day and evening hours. Online and in-person instruction is available. Our facilities are accessible, welcoming, and designed for adult learners. Trust Kingston Literacy & Skills to provide the support you need to upgrade your life.

Funding Partners

Muslim woman working on a computer getting help

Learn English

Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC)

Learn English at KL&S. Funded by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), our LINC program is free to Newcomers to Canada. We provide instruction in English language from Foundation to Pre-Intermediate (CLB 4) levels. Classes are small and lead by highly-skilled and certified teachers. We focus on listening, speaking, reading, and writing to help build a successful foundation for life in Canada. Our vibrant LINC program includes learners and teachers from around the world. Choose from morning or afternoon class options. KL&S provides support for transportation, technology, and childcare needs. Build your language skills and find your new community at KL&S.

Care for Newcomer Children (CNC)

Care for Newcomer Children (CNC) at KL&S is a free program for LINC families. Our adult learners may enroll their children ages 18 months to 5 years in morning or afternoon care while they study onsite in our LINC program. The CNC is located at our Kingston facility and is staffed by certified Early Childhood educators. Children enjoy indoor and outdoor programming that supports English language speaking and listening as well as social, emotional, and motor skills development. Space is limited and registration is required. CNC is funded by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

Learn Skills

Literacy & Basic Skills (LBS)

Learn Skills at KL&S. Our Literacy and Basic Skills (LBS) program helps you build skills for a better future. Our free programs prepare you to return to school, train for a new job, and thrive in our community. Caring and experienced staff create a custom learning plan with you. Programs are offered in person, online, morning, afternoon, or evening. Train in Kingston or Napanee in modern and accessible spaces designed for adult learners. Classes are small, and 1-to-1 instruction is also available. Start any time. This Employment Ontario program is funded in part by the Government of Canada and the Government of Ontario. Upgrade your life through learning at KL&S.

English

English programs help you build stronger reading and writing skills.

Reading Comprehension
Basic Writing to Essay Writing
Grammar and Vocabulary
Workplace Communication

Math

Focus on the math skills you need for employment, education and independence.

Basic Operations
Converting Measurements
Handling Money
Working with Data

Computer Literacy

Build confidence with technology and the computer skills you need for the modern world and workplace.

Smart Devices
Microsoft Office
Typing and Email
Google and Zoom

Job Skills

Prepare for a new job with our Occupational Skills programs.

Trades
Childcare
Healthcare
Food Service
Customer Service
General Labour
Custodial

Life Skills

Build your resume with the “soft skills” that
employers want.

Communication
Teamwork
Problem Solving
Conflict Resolution
Setting Goals
Adapting to Change
Leadership

Get Involved

Volunteer

Help create a stronger community by volunteering with KL&S. Our volunteers come from all backgrounds and provide tutoring for our LINC and LBS learners who need additional help beyond class time. Volunteers receive training and work with our Volunteer Coordinator to be matched with a learner. Volunteer tutoring takes place at our Kingston facility or online. Schedules are flexible and can be built around your availability. Volunteers also support KL&S fundraising activities, including bingo through Community Spirit Gaming Centre. Contact us today to be connected with our Volunteer Coordinator.

Contact

Work

KL&S is an inspiring and dynamic workplace. Our work changes lives. Our staff includes an executive team, program supervisors, childcare professionals, certified instructors, and office support. Job postings are advertised regionally and linked here. Working at KL&S requires commitment to equity, excellence in education, demonstrated respect for diverse needs and backgrounds, and genuine passion for serving our clients. We are an equal opportunity employer and a great place to build a career.

Jobs

Support

KL&S thrives through of the ongoing support of our Board of Directors, our Community Partners, and our donors. Our Board supports KL&S through strategic planning, fundraising, and governance. With our Community Partners, KL&S is part of coordinated wrap-around services that support the needs of our learners. Generous donations help us elevate our service. We are so grateful for donor support of computers for learners, new programs, learning materials, technology upgrades, and improvements to our childcare centre and playspace. Get involved with KL&S by contacting us today.

Donate

Career Edge
Literacy Link of Eastern Ontario (LLEO)
Workforce Innovation Board
Community Literacy of Ontario (CLO)
Limestone Community Education
ReStart
Prince Edward-Lennox and Addington Social Services (PELASS)
Loyola Community Learning Centre
Kingston Frontenac Public Library (KFPL)

Success Stories

"Paul had very little confidence in his technology skills. Online learning was a challenge. He also struggled with reading comprehension and online text. With a customized learning plan developed with his LBS Instructor, Paul is finding success. His reading comprehension has improved and he is more comfortable completing online training modules for his new job and communicating through email. He can also now work in Google Docs, Google Slides and Jam board."

About Us

Re-Writing Lives Since 1977

In 1977, the Kingston Literacy Council and Adult Reading Program were established in response to research showing that as many as 27% of Kingston adults had less than a Grade 9 education. Over the following 10 years, the Adult Reading Program grew with the help of St. Lawrence College, the Frontenac County Board of Education and the Kingston Public Library. We found a home on King Street, incorporated as Kingston Literacy, and sought funding.

Kingston Literacy became a registered charity in 1984 and was granted pilot program funding from Employment and Immigration Canada in 1985. We rebranded as the Read-Write Centre and expanded to multiple locations across Kingston. By 1989, Family Literacy programming launched and our Adult Reading Program earned a National Literacy Award. Throughout the 1990s, we continued to develop programming in response to the needs of community. Our LINC program began welcoming learners in 2006. To better reflect our expanded mission, we rebranded again as Kingston Literacy & Skills in 2008.

By 2020, KL&S employed 27 people, served more than 500 clients annually, and received $1.5 million in annual funding. Our team of more than 70 volunteers contributed an average of 7000 hours annually. Presently, we are approaching 45 years of service to the KFLA community. We remain committed to a belief that literacy and education changes lives.

Established in 1977, 15,000+ students served, 140 years of teaching experience, certified by OCT, OCELT, TESL and TEFL. Languages spoken: English, French, Spanish, Arabic, Russian, Ukranian and Urdu

Board of Directors

Brian Evoy, President and Chair
Dave Weese, Vice President
Carynne Arnold, Treasurer
Gaitree Oogarah, Secretary

Badriyya Yusuf, Director
Leonore Foster, Director
Hope Knox, Director
Christianne Wojcik, Executive Director and Ex-Officio