About Us

History of the Brooks Community Adult Learning Council

The Brooks Community Adult Learning Council (BCALC) started operations out of a building basement in downtown Brooks in 1975.  Informal language training was available for any of the many new immigrants moving into the Town of Brooks. BCALC was incorporated as a non-profit in 2003.  Over the years, the organization has evolved to meet the community needs, maintaining classes both day and night.  The program changed with the mandate from Advanced Education from continuing education to English language learning and foundational skills.

In 2003, the organization expanded to include courses for Lakeside Packers and moved to a larger location on 3rd Street. The first LINC program was funded in 2007 with 1 class of 12 students at the Pre-Benchmark level.  2008 to 2010, to accommodate growing student numbers, the organization moved again, this time to the old Ingram’s store across from the post office.

In 2010 BCALC occupied the main floor of its current location (303 8th St East) with primarily ESL programs, including 12 LINC courses, low and high level ESL instruction and employment programming.  BCALC has continued to expand twice since 2010, occupying the entire building at its current location.  In 2010, 17 LINC classes existed and 5 more were added in 2017. 

In 2020, BCALC partnered with JBS Canada to provide online classes of English training for Temporary Foreign Workers. Today there are over 40 English classes at BCALC funded federally, provincially and privately.  At the present time BCALC has 24 LINC classes from Pre-Benchmark (PB) to Level 4.  Other programming through the Community Adult Learning Program includes high and low level ESL classes, numeracy, conversation, pronunciation, digital skills, CELPIP, Foundational Skills classes and more. 

BCALC continues to expand. In 2022, BCALC introduced its first Arabic introductory computer class for refugees helping to prepare them with the skills necessary for daily life and future learning in Canada.

BCALC has also been funded federally and provincially for several employment programs since 2012, improving life skills of clients in order to obtain employment.

Our newest success: In September 2023 BCALC became an official CELPIP Test Center in Alberta.

Vision
To be a leader in the development, coordination and establishment of learning opportunities within a connected community.

Mission
Providing adults with access to relevant foundational learning within a connected community.


Funding
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada provides funding for the Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC) program.  Alberta Advanced Education provides a base grant for the Community Adult Learning Program. Other short term programs may be funded by other government departments.