Fundraising helps DALA meet community needs

Digby Area Learning Association is a vital part of our community. For over a decade, DALA has provided adults with quality educational opportunities that are practical and tailored to the student.

True to its mission statement to promote and facilitate lifelong learning opportunities that encourage and support healthy, sustainable communities, DALA meets many of our community’s needs.

Executive director Clyde Baltzer administers the multiple programs that are offered at the Digby Community Education Centre, the Learning Grove Childcare Centre and School Age Unit, and the Career Resource Centre—including job coaching, Get Dressed as well as a satellite office for employment services in Weymouth.

Through DALA, many who did not complete their high school education, for whatever reason, have a second chance.

Measurement of human capital

Policy analysts consider education a crucial measure of a community’s human capital. It is the acquired and useful abilities of all the inhabitants or members of the society. This claim is made on the grounds that educated people can be trained less expensively, generally have a higher socio-economic status and enjoy better health and employment prospects.

DALA is governed by a 15-member volunteer board composed of community-minded volunteers and professionals with a variety of expertise.

Collaborating partners include Tri-County Regional School Board, the provincial education department, Human Resources Development Canada and Nova Scotia Community College, and all have representation on the DALA board.

Unfortunately, DALA is under-funded, just like all educational options in our province. Much of what it accomplishes would not be possible without supplementary fundraising efforts.

Friends of DALA

Three dedicated volunteers, Alma Taylor, Connie Lombard and Lenore Sweeney, who refer to themselves as the Friends of Adult Education, coordinate events such as the Evening of Music, which is being held tomorrow, May 16, in Digby Regional High School theatre.

The concert will showcase the talents of Taylor Express, Reg Taylor, Brian Vroom and Nella Pidutti, as well as Heavenly Harmony and Cody Peck and Andy Hewey. Proceeds go to DALA projects.

In addition to the treat of hearing the music of these accomplished entertainers, you can feel good about contributing to a very worthwhile cause. For information, call 245-7540.

kristy@ns.sympatico.ca