Paul W.

Learner

When you go through life and your reading skills are really low, it makes it really tough all around. When I had the opportunity to go back to school, I almost didn’t, but then I thought I’d give it a whirl. It doesn’t matter if you are young or old – you can always learn. You can’t give up on yourself.

After I was back in school for a year, I had to go back to work because everyone needs money. And then I heard about the Halifax Community Learning Network, and the Thursday evening tutoring program. With my jobs, I could make it to the class. I have been really enjoying it, and I notice that I am getting better at my reading and writing. I am not trying to go to college or get my GED, but it has been making it easier for my everyday life. I have been finding it easier grocery shopping and reading street and bus signs. When I go looking for Christmas and birthday cards, I have been enjoying reading a bunch of them, and I am really good at picking out the best ones.

I am applying for a new job which means trying new things. I just took a course for it – Small Space Confinement – and I got five wrong out of fifty questions. I have been a lot more positive with moving forward and not giving up on myself. I never thought I would have my own email address. I do have an email address now, and I have been playing with computers a bit.

I have to say thanks to all the great people that tutor us on their own time, and another thanks to the people that make this program work for us. I really can’t say enough thanks for all the people that have their fingers in this program. This program has really helped me feel more positive and better about myself. I can wire, build and plumb a house, but I could never move forward as I couldn’t do the tests for the courses. Today, if I was in the same situation, I would go and try to do the test. Today, I have a bigger smile on my face.