We are United for Literacy

Mission

Each day, we transform lives and strengthen communities through literacy.

United for Literacy, formerly known as Frontier College, is a national charitable literacy organization. We believe literacy is a right. We work with volunteers and community partners to give people the skills and confidence they need to reach their potential.  

Values

Low literacy skills are directly linked to poverty, poor health, and high unemployment. United for Literacy's network of volunteers provides excellent and effective programming to improve literacy in communities across Canada, from coast to coast to coast. We value mutual respect and collaboration in all our relationships. 

In order to achieve our mission, we are committed to finding and using innovative ways to reach the people who need us most. Our literacy activities, programs, and services are inclusive of any individual for whom our assistance is welcome and needed. 

People Served

People and communities across Canada, facing systemic barriers to achieving literacy objectives. 

Philosophy of Learning: Student-Centered Individualized Learning (SCIL) 

United for Literacy follows the Student-Centered Individualized Learning philosophy, meaning that people are active in deciding what they want to learn. We believe: 

• Everyone has a right to learn 
• We go where people are, rather than expecting them to come to us 
• Every place is a learning place 
• We value a tutorial partnership where the learner and tutor respect and learn from each other 
• We value the contributions learners, volunteers, and partners make in the learning experience            

Vision

All people in Canada have the literacy skills they need to achieve their potential. 

Literacy is recognized as a human right and a driving force to empowerment and prosperity. United for Literacy leads the effort in Canada to help people and communities reach their full potential through the power of literacy. 

Read more about our five-year strategic plan.

Justice, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

United for Literacy is committed to promoting Justice, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (JEDI) and emphasizes a working and learning environment for everyone. Our JEDI framework reflects the "All Welcome" philosophy that is at the core of all United for Literacy internal and external relationships, practices, and policies. 

To learn more, read our framework.

Annual Reports and Financial Statements