Since 1996, the Further Education Society of Alberta (FESA) has helped people to overcome social, economic, and educational barriers to learning by providing programs to enhance their foundational skills development. We are a recognized leader and award winning charity specializing in family literacy and adult foundational learning programming. 

Our mission is to strengthen communities, families, and individuals through literacy and learning by advocating, collaborating, and removing barriers. Our vision is that Canada is a literate and learning society.

At FESA we believe that literacy and foundational learning affect all aspects of family and community life - including employment, finances, health, education, social welfare, and justice, and that low-literacy must be addressed to ensure the success of people in our communities. IN CANADA, 48% OF ADULTS HAVE INADEQUATE LITERACY SKILLS. That’s millions of Canadians who do not have the skills they need to successfully thrive in their communities. Literacy and access to information have been shown to reduce poverty and inequality, provide opportunities for work - increasing household income, and even improve the health of children.

Without literacy, without the basic tools required to pursue their goals, people become less than equal members of society. At FESA, we work specifically with immigrant, refugee, Indigenous, and other marginalized learners to promote equality and full participation in society by building the literacy and essential skills of Canada’s most vulnerable learners.