The answers are as varied as the people who walk through our doors each day. Some will tell you that ALDA is a non-profit charity in Vancouver, BC, with a twenty year history of helping and supporting adults who have suspected or diagnosed learning disabilities. Others will say that ALDA has government funded programs which help people find jobs, enroll in training or get started in trades or apprenticeship, or help “at risk” youth to realize their full potential. Again, these are very special elements of what makes ALDA unique, but are only a part of the whole picture. Still others would say that ALDA is a “resource center” and an organization which advocates on behalf of those who are having problems coping in the workplace, college, or home. All of these answers help to explain what ALDA is... but there is much more to consider.

ALDA exclusively represents and works with adults and youth who have suspected or diagnosed learning disabilities. Our purpose is to provide a comprehensive range of services and programs that are  adapted and designed to meet the needs of our clients and members, and are accessible to all regardless of their personal, social, cultural, or economic background. 

ALDA's core services include:

Current information and resources on learning disabilities  Initial pre-screening services to help identify probable learning disabilities/difficulties  Diagnostic and counselling services Individual support and Advocacy Referrals to other community agencies Community presentations Mentoring services and information Public awareness education and interactive workshops  Employment assistance services Work experience services for youth-at-risk "Learning Differences" Support group

ALDA's goal is to provide these necessary services so people with  learning disabilities have the opportunity to achieve greater independence and become full participants in all aspects of community life. Often, people who come to ALDA appreciate that counsellors and staff actually take the time to ask if they are living in a safe environment, know how to access free or low cost food, or that there are  services that can help them sort out personal problems so that they can get on with the task of finding work or training and be more independent.

ALDA is the result of a lot of hard work. Many volunteer hours are put in by many people, from the Board of Directors and CEO to the receptionist, who want to make certain that ALDA chugs along day to day. All of this behind the scenes work is as important as the program outcomes for our members, clients and program participants. This work is vital in order for the day to day operations to continue to support our programs and services. 

We always need to increase ALDA’s core funds so that even more can be done. The public must be made more aware that we are a viable, needed charitable organization providing direct services to the learning disabled. Then more of the sixty to eighty thousand people in our communities who need our help, can be assisted.  If you think you need our help or support, please call. If you don't, but know someone who might, mention this website. Please consider donating, so that we may be able to help thousands of others. We are always working to surpass the numbers we have been able to help, and hoping that by becoming more financially secure through donations to our registered charity that ALDA will always be around to help.

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