About Us

The Valley Community Learning Association (VCLA) is a not-for-profit charitable group that works to raise the literacy levels of adults in Kings and Annapolis Counties, in Nova Scotia, Canada. VCLA does this by offering a range of free classes and 1-1 tutoring in such areas as the GED, basic literacy and numeracy, English as an additional language, health literacy, family literacy, computer literacy, trades-related upgrading and youth programming.

our history

Beginning in Kings County in 1989 as the Kings County Learning Association, the organization provides a forum for learners, community groups, instructors, tutors, publicly funded agencies and businesses to enhance the literacy levels of community members and new immigrants in both Kings and Annapolis Counties.

Governed by a volunteer Board of Directors, the organization has been a registered charity since 1995 (89993 3386 RR0001).

our mission

We work with individuals and groups to provide educational programs, advocacy, and information. We believe we can build stronger communities through adult learning. Our guiding mission is to help adults reach their learning goals

our vision

To continue to be a progressive, learner-centred, adult learning organization responsive to our community throughout the entirety of our jurisdiction (Kings and Annapolis County). This means GED, EAL, literacy, numeracy, remedial reading, family literacy, computer skills and health literacy.

our values

Values guide the policy decisions and actions of the Valley Community Learning Association. We believe in:

Lifelong learning
Focusing on learners’ needs
Respecting diversity
Learner involvement
Respect and fairness
Non-judgment and confidentiality
Equitable opportunity
Working with the most difficult to serve
Accountability to all stakeholders
Building stronger communities through learning
The value of communication

our awards

Celebrating Communities Award 2005 Excellence in client service

In November 2005, KCLA, as we were then known, was the recipient of the Celebrating Innovative Communities Award: Excellence in Client Service

Nova Scotia Family Literacy Achievement Award

Each year the Skills and Learning Branch of the Nova Scotia Department of Labour and Workforce Development recognizes excellence in family literacy programming.

In 2008, VCLA was the provincial winner for their family literacy project: the Electronic Heritage Site, an oral history project in partnership with Annapolis Valley First Nation in Cambridge.