30 Years of Strengthening Communities. Lifetimes of Impact.

This year, the Further Education Society of Alberta (FESA) is celebrating 30 years of literacy, learning, and community. Since 1996, FESA has delivered free family literacy programs to Calgary families every year, building skills, confidence, and stronger communities one family at a time.

As a participating charity in the 2026 Rogers Birdies for Kids presented by AltaLink, your contribution will be matched up to 50%, making an even greater impact for Calgarian families and children.

Buy a 50/50 raffle ticket today. You could win half the pot and help empower over 900 Calgary families every year through free family literacy programs.

Why Family Literacy Matters

Family literacy lives in everyday moments, the songs parents sing to their babies, the stories shared at bedtime, and the confidence a child feels when they begin to sound out a word. These moments build language, connection, and a foundation that lasts a lifetime.

When families have access to learning, children thrive. When barriers are removed, communities grow stronger. That is 30 years of what FESA has seen firsthand.

Our Family Literacy Programs Include:

Parent-Child Mother Goose (PCMG) Songs, rhymes, and stories that support early childhood development and strengthen the bond between parent and child.

Literacy and Parenting Skills (LAPS) and Indigenous Literacy and Parenting Skills (ILAPS) Programs that build parents' own literacy skills while giving them tools to support their children's learning at home. 

Jumpstart / Books for Babies Designed to support parents as their child's first teacher, encouraging reading and learning from the very earliest days.

Homework Club A supportive space where children build literacy skills, get help with schoolwork, and grow in confidence.

Family Literacy Events & Literacy Kits Community gatherings and take-home kits that bring families together through storytelling, creativity, and shared learning.

About FESA

Since 1996, FESA has been creating innovative partnerships, building community capacity, and designing strength-based literacy and family programs across Calgary.

We recognize that literacy is a thread that runs through every aspect of family and community life, whether in education, health, employment, finances, social welfare, or justice. The programs we deliver with our partners give Calgary's most vulnerable families and children the tools they need to learn, grow, and build brighter futures.

Help us continue the journey.

Get your tickets today and be part of the next chapter.