Literacy For Life is working to welcome refugees into the Foothills.

The organization is trying to make the transition smoother by offering ESL programs to newcomers.

Sue Stegmeier, executive director of Literacy for Life, says they received funding to help run the programs.

"We received some funding from Innovation and Advanced Education that will help us expand on our existing programs," she says. "With our Building Blocks program, which is an in-house program,  we're going to be able to keep our staff in there longer with those families and do more direct English instruction."

The Building Blocks program is currently underway but Stegmeier says new programs will be introduced in the fall.

Stegmeier says Literacy For Life is interested in working with those who've sponsored refugees and volunteers.

"Another part of what we want to do is maybe provide some training to those community members and sponsoring committees so they can help the families. If they want to volunteer they can connect with us but also if they're involved in a church and they know they're bringing families in, the support would be great."

Bow Valley and Foothills Community Immigrant Services have also received funding for similar programs and will be working with Literacy For Life to offer ESL programs.

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