Kingston Literacy & Skills
Changing Lives Through Language and Learning since 1977
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
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 eligible 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. 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 19 months to 5 years in care while they study onsite in our LINC program. The CNC is located at our Kingston facility and is staffed by Registered 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 are open to adults (age 17+) with Ontario residency. LBS can 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.
Communication
Develop stronger reading and writing skills needed to succeed in the workplace and everyday life.
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Reading Comprehension
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Basic Writing to Essay Writing
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Grammar and Vocabulary
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Workplace Communication
Math
Focus on the math skills you need for employment, education and independence.
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Basic Operations
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Converting Measurements
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Handling Money
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Working with Data
Computer Literacy
Build confidence with technology and the computer skills you need for the modern world and workplace.
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Smart Devices
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Microsoft Office
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Typing and Email
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Google and Zoom
Job Skills
Prepare for a new job with our Occupational Skills programs.
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Trades
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Childcare
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Healthcare
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Food Service
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Customer Service
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General Labour
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Custodial
Life Skills
Build your resume with the “soft skills” that
employers want.
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Organization
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Teamwork
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Problem Solving
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Conflict Resolution
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Setting Goals
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Adapting to Change
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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. Contact us today to be connected with our Volunteer Coordinator.
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.
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. Get involved with KL&S by contacting us today.
Community Partners
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Kingston Community Health Centres (KCHC)
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Immigrant Services of Kingston and Area (ISKA)
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Kingston Immigration Partnership (KIP)
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Kingston Employment and Youth Services (KEYS)
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Queen’s University
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St. Lawrence College Employment Services
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City of Kingston
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Ontario Works
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ACFOMI
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Tipi Moza Iron Homes
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Napanee Interval House
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La Route du Savior
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Town of Greater Napanee
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KFLA Public Health
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Lionhearts, Inc.
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Addictions & Mental Health (AMHS-KFLA)
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Extend-a-Family
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Gateway Community Education Centre
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Harmony Music Lounge
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Napanee and Area Community Health Centre
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Kingston Home Base/One Roof
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Career Edge
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Literacy Link of Eastern Ontario (LLEO)
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Workforce Innovation Board
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Community Literacy of Ontario (CLO)
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Limestone Community Education
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ReStart/John Howard Society
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Prince Edward-Lennox and Addington Social Services (PELASS)
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Loyola Community Learning Centre
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Kingston Frontenac Public Library (KFPL)
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Quinte Detention Centre
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Napanee Area Probation and Parole
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Employment + Education Centre Brockville
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J.E. Agnew Foods
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Morningstar Mission
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Lennox & Addington Community Living
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A Great Start for Families
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Lennox & Addington County Libraries
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NextStep Housing
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Ongwanada
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Salvation Army Napanee
Success Stories
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. In 1989, Family Literacy programming was 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.
Today, KL&S employs 23 people, serves more than 500 clients annually across two sites--Kingston and Napanee--and receives $1.8 million in annual funding, donations, and grants. Our team of 35+ volunteers contributes over of 1500 hours annually to support learner success. Through 47 years of operations, we remain committed to a belief that language and learning changes lives.
Board of Directors
Callum Anderson, President and Chair
Mike Pelletier, Vice President
Anne Finlay, Secretary
Carynne Arnold, Treasurer
Yu Jier Kou, Director
Dajana Turkovic, Director
Marie-Eve Charland, Director
Michelle Booth-Uyeda, Director