The Fort Nelson Community Literacy Society began with a community meeting, discussing what was needed to plan a "Literacy Now" initiative for Fort Nelson back in May 2005. Literacy Now was a government funded program designed to increase literacy in British Columbia.

  

Organizer Val Keeler initiated a second meeting where 30 key members of the community launched the start of the process.

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A charitable, non-profit society was formed and a Coordinator was hired to liaise with existing community programs and initiate new literacy projects n the Fort Nelson community. The Coordinator, Julie, sourced additional funding, secured and set up office space, and began the process of building partnerships for programming in the community.

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The Society was granted funding by Community Adult Learning Programs (CALP) through the Ministry of Advanced Education and Labour Market Development (ALMD) and English as a Second Language – Settlement Assistance Program (ESL – SAP).  The CALP funding was used for three programs: The first, “Sikanni Adult Learning Program”, operated out of the society office and offered tutoring and learning assistance to adults.

The second program was the “Prophet River Family Drop-In Program”, operated on the First Nations reserve in Prophet River.

The third program was the “Family Literacy Program” held at the Fort Nelson Aboriginal Friendship Society. 

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The society soon hired its first two volunteers and a grand opening was organized for December 1, 2007.  Since then the society has developed into a key community service provider in Fort Nelson with partnerships and relationships formed to reach out to the people in our community.

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In the years following, FNCLS has expanded its programs, staffing and physical space to provide a diverse, multi-faceted and thriving gathering space and a one stop shop for community programming, resources and advocacy.