Hants Learning Network Association

August 18, 2020

We are pleased to announce that HLNA will be reopening in September! We have new protocols in place for the health and safety of our learners, staff, and volunteers and are excited to get back to school. Our reopening plan can be viewed by clicking here.

June 22, 2020

In honour of HLNA's 25th anniversary, we are pleased to present our new logo! Thank you to Beth Martin Artwork for designing our updated logo.

November 24, 2019

We're having an online auction! The auction is full of great gift ideas including handmade silver earrings, many hand-knit and crocheted items, a week of debate camp, and more! The auction ends December 12th so keep a close eye on your bids. All proceeds support Hants Learning Network's free literacy programs for adults, children, and families in Hants County. 

November 24, 2019

HLNA's annual Holiday Fair and Open House was held on November 23, 2019. This year's event featured a ticket auction, bake sale, craft sale, and more! Free 25th anniversary cookies were given to all guests. At the end of the day, we had raised $1000 to support HLNA's free community literacy programs. 

October 19, 2019

Music from the '80s and '90s was playing as volunteers and supporters raised funds for HLNA at our dance and silent auction fundraiser on October 19th. Over $1100 was raised to support HLNA's free literacy programs for adults, children, and families in Hants County.

September 16, 2019

The 2019-20 school year marks the 25th anniversary of the Hants Learning Network Association providing free literacy programs in our community! Established in 1994 and incorporated in 1995, HLNA has grown over the years from its start as a small free tutoring service for adults to a larger organization with day and evening classes for adults, tutoring for adults, GED preparation classes, family literacy programs, computer workshops, and tutoring for elementary and middle school students - all free services! We'll be celebrating throughout the year and hope you will join us at one (or more!) of our special events. 

May 05, 2019

HLNA partnered with Sparklensign to present a decorative sign fundraising workshop on May 5th. Seventeen participants spent the afternoon creating their own signs to take home. All funds raised go to support HLNA's free adult and family literacy programs. 

November 19, 2018

Eleven current and past HLNA learners were honoured with special awards at the 2018 NSPGI Learner Celebration on November 19th. Congratulations to all of you! You should be very proud of what you have accomplished. 

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Pictured: Hayley, Santos, Eddie, Kris, Rosemary, Jill, Brittany, Rosemary, Karen

Missing: James, Miranda

October 01, 2018

HLNA is pleased to partner with Hants County Senior Safety Association to offer a free "Computer Basics for Seniors" course starting in October. The program is funded by a grant from New Horizons for Seniors.

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Computer Basics for Senior will run on Thursdays for ten weeks starting October 11th. This is a free program, but registration is required. Call Mike at 902-472-3133 for more information or to sign up. 

September 28, 2018

HLNA's free Learner's (Beginner's) License course will run on Wednesdays starting October 10th. This course uses the Nova Scotia Driver’s Handbook to help you   prepare to write the test for your Learner’s (Beginner’s) License.

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Where: Hants Learning Network Association, 90 Sanford Drive in the Windsor - West Hants Industrial Park

When: Wednesdays starting October 10th, 2018. Refreshments from 9:00 - 9:30 am. Course from 9:30 - 10:30 am. 

Contact Christine at 902-472-3133 or chooper.hlna@hotmail.com to register.
 

September 27, 2018

Hants Learning Network is excited to offer a new program this year! The “Learning Together” tutoring program for elementary school-aged children and their families is made possible by a Building Vibrant Communities grant from the Nova Scotia Department of Communities, Culture, and Heritage.

“Learning Together” will use volunteers to tutor elementary school-aged children during supervised afternoon, evening, and Saturday session times throughout the school year. Healthy snacks will be provided at sessions and transportation assistance will be available to families if needed (as funds allow).

Right now we need your help to help us find volunteers for this program. A few hours a month will make a huge difference in a child’s life. High school students, college/university students, adults, and seniors are all encouraged to volunteer. Please share and help us help children learn!

Hants Learning Network Association recognizes the support of the Province of Nova Scotia. We are pleased to work in partnership with the Province of Nova Scotia to alleviate the impact of poverty and reduce its causes for all Nova Scotians.

May 17, 2018

HLNA would like to officially welcome our spring administrative assistant, Emma!

Emma just finished her first year in University of Guelph’s Bachelor of Applied Science (Child, Youth, Family) program. She applied for HLNA's spring administrative assistant position because of her interest in working in an educational setting and her goal of becoming a speech-language pathologist. Emma has already been a great help with organizing our library resources and even helped build the bookshelves for them!

January 26, 2018

HLNA was pleased to be asked to host the Province's 2018 Family Literacy Day Celebration on January 26th. The afternoon included making story forts with librarians from Annapolis Valley Regional Library and Colchester - East Hants Public Library, playing games with the facilitators from HLNA's "Family Literacy Fun!" program, and an assortment of refreshments.

The official ceremony took place at 3:00 pm. Sandra Milbury, a longtime board member with HLNA, welcomed everyone to the event. MLA Keith Irving provided opening remarks on behalf of the Minister of Labour and Advanced Education and read the official Family Literacy Day proclamation in English, followed by Denise Blanchard-Carpentier in French. Katharine McCoubrey, HLNA's Executive Director, and Shelley King, principal of Windsor Forks District School, then spoke about the impact of our own "Family Literacy Fun!" programs. A highlight of the afternoon was hearing from the Purchase-Cull Family. Noah and his mother both spoke to the group about their experiences with "Family Literacy Fun!" and how the program has benefited their family. 

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We were also pleased to have author Daphne Greer participate. She spoke about her influences and read to us from one of her three novels, Jacob's Landing, which was inspired by the local area. To conclude the formal part of the celebration, Sonya Horsburgh, Director of Adult Education for the Department of Labour and Advanced Education, gave the closing remarks and guests were invited to share in cake and refreshments. 

December 13, 2017

HLNA's Holiday Wreath Raffle was a great success, making a profit of just over $800! Thank you to everyone who helped sell tickets and everyone who purchased tickets, too. Congratulations to Jennifer Skuffham who was the lucky winner when the draw was done on December 13th. Happy scratching, Jennifer!

November 24, 2017

Thank you to everyone who attended our Open House event on November 24th! The event included opportunities to learn about HLNA programs, a ticket auction, and a bake/craft sale. HLNA Board Member Sandra Milbury led the formal portion of the evening. She and Executive Director Katharine McCoubrey were pleased to announce the successful conclusion of HLNA's "Opening New Doors" capital campaign. Special guest Patrick Whynot from Farm Credit Canada spoke and was presented with a certificate of appreciation for the #AgriSpirit Fund grant. This grant helped HLNA reach its capital fundraising goal in just one year!

Special thanks to everyone who volunteered to make this evening a success.

October 30, 2017

HLNA learner Sue Shaw has been awarded this year's Literacy Nova Scotia Scholarship! 

The Literacy Nova Scotia scholarship is "...for adults who have completed their grade 12 through an adult learning program, and are going on to, or continuing in college, university, or a trades and technology program" and has a value of $1500. Sue earned her GED last year and is now in her first year of the two year Social Services diploma program at NSCC Kingstec.

Congratulations, Sue!

(picture: Sue Shaw, left, receives her certificate at HLNA's GED Graduation Celebration in June 2017)

October 26, 2017

Here at HLNA we're looking forward to our annual fall open house! Join us on November 24th to find out about our free learning programs, try your luck in the ticket auction, pick up some yummy treats in our bake sale, get a raffle ticket for a beautiful Christmas wreath covered in scratch tickets, and take home some free used books & clothing.

August 23, 2017

Hants Learning Network Association is very excited to announce that we have been selected as one of the recipients of Farm Credit Canada's #FCCAgriSpirit Fund. HLNA was one of 78 successful applicants out of over 1200 organizations.

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The #FCCAgriSpirit Fund supports capital projects that enhance rural communities. The $10,000 in funding provided to HLNA will help us complete renovations at our learning centre to create a safe, accessible, and welcoming learning environment. Thank you so much to Farm Credit Canada for your support!

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For more information on Farm Credit Canada or the #FCCAgriSpirit Fund, please visit Farm Credit Canada online. 

August 16, 2017

Been thinking about going back to school? In HLNA's adult learning classes, we work with you to set a schedule and go at your own pace. To find out more about our free adult learning opportunities, contact our Lead Teacher, Cathy Caldwell, at 902-472-3133. 2017-18 classes begin the week of September 4th. but you can start at any time between September and June.

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Start Dates for Returning Students:

Level 1 Day Students - Wednesday, September 6th

Level 2 Day Students - Wednesday, September 6th

Evening Students - Wednesday, September 6th

Level 3 and GED Students - Thursday, September 7th

August 01, 2017

HLNA has been the recipient of several special donations and grant monies recently.

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Stewart McKelvey employee Anne Sheward, niece of HLNA's Cathy Caldwell, nominated HLNA for her firm's employee's choice donation and put together a package explaining why HLNA should be chosen. Stewart McKelvey agreed with Anne and has provided HLNA with a cheque for $1250. Thank you to Stewart McKelvey and to Anne!

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Our local Lions Club also made a donation to Hants Learning Network Association. The Lions Club invited HLNA co-chair Andre Arsenault to one of their meetings and presented HLNA with a cheque for $500. Thank you to the Lions for being such great supporters of adult literacy! 

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HLNA is also pleased to report that we have been approved for two local grants. We have already received a cheque from the Town of Windsor for $1000. Thank you to Mayor Allen and the Town Council for your support! 

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The other approved grant is from the Muncipality of West Hants. HLNA will be receiving a cheque for $500 sometime this fall. Thank you to Warden Zebian and County Councillors for your support!

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All these grants and donations are making a real impact on HLNA's "Opening New Doors" campaign, which is raising funds to pay for renovations to our adult learning centre.

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May 25, 2017

A huge thank you goes out to Scotiabank's Windsor Branch for donating $5000 to HLNA! Scotiabank partnered with us on our Monte Gras fundraiser, providing volunteers and matching $5000 of the funds raised during the event. Scotiabank Windsor, we can't thank you enough for your support!