Where We Fund
About Us
The purpose of the Trust, which was established in 1988, is to distribute funds for charitable, cultural, philanthropic and recreational benefits in our four regions (Canterbury, Nelson, Marlborough and the Chatham Islands) - all of which benefit our quality of life. Our donations in turn, assist thousands of people working in numerous voluntary organisations, to create their own social and cultural dividends thereby rewarding their communities.
Adult Reading
Adult Reading Assistance Scheme Christchurch
Imagine what life would be like if you were unable to read or write, even at a basic level. Many adults in Christchurch don’t have to imagine this scenario, they are living it!
The Adult Reading Assistance Scheme (ARAS) works with over 300 people every year in a bid to empower them through teaching basic reading, writing and numeracy skills. Their driving philosophy is simple but effective: “Everyone has the right to be able to read and write.”
This service is free and made possible by over 100 volunteer tutors who give their time to be trained by the staff at ARAS and run one-to-one or small group tutorials. The dedicated team also offer their learners help with drivers licence theory, basic computer skills and conversational English. For the past 18 years, ARAS has also offered a workplace literacy and numeracy programme.
ARAS has been enriching lives in this way for the past 35 years. They know the benefit of teaching someone to learn to read and write and have witnessed the incredible difference their work makes to people’s self esteem, work opportunities, community participation, and personal relationships.
You may also like to be a part of their work; visit www.aras.org.nz for more information.
The Canterbury Community Trust has supported the Adult Reading Assistance Scheme in Christchurch and North Canterbury with a $40,000 donation toward their operating costs.