The Trent Valley Literacy Association (TVLA) is a non-profit organization formed to help adults in Peterborough city and county to acquire the literacy, numeracy, and computer skills needed to live and work successfully in the community.
Trent Valley Literacy Association Philosophy and Programs
The Trent Valley Literacy Association is a non-profit community-based organization dedicated to helping adults in our community attain literacy skills that will meet their personal and work related needs. TVLA accomplishes this by first assessing a student’s literacy level and skills then helping set realistic goals to meet that person’s needs.
TVLA works with other community organizations, which deliver programs from the very basic levels through to secondary and post-secondary levels. We work in association with The Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board, and Sir Sandford Fleming College.
TVLA delivers service based on needs identified by the student as well as academic support for formal learning programs. Service is provided by trained, volunteer tutors.
Many student/tutor pairs meet at 139 Douro Street where there is a collection of learning materials for their use. Trent Valley Literacy Associations commitment to excellence in all its services is reflected in its tutor training program, which is based on a teaching theory that recognizes reading as a process rather than a single activity. Furthermore, the training program covers a broad range of relevant topics such as learning styles, the nature of learning disabilities, and social issues that contribute to illiteracy.
As a community based organization, TVLA is committed to serving the needs of students in ways that enable them to function successfully according to their own expressed needs and the needs of the community where they live.
Notice anything different?

Our old logo . . .
TVLA has a new look. That means a new logo, new fonts (the look of letters and numbers) and new visuals to identify us. In the for-profit sector it’s called a “brand language,” but here at TVLA we simply hope it will help people remember us. We have been proud to use largely the same logo for most of our history, but we no longer had high quality examples available, and wanted to make it more accessible to students who may have had trouble reading the old handwriting-style calligraphy.
Why New Graphics?
Toronto artist Chris Huth designed our logo and branding in consultation with TVLA’s staff. We wanted to meet the following goals:
- From symbols to typefaces, a visual style that was easy to read and understand, even for new readers of English.
- High resolution digital graphics and standards (official typefaces and colours) we could apply to many different projects.
- A logo that was fresh, but followed in the footsteps of the symbols TVLA has used for over 30 years.
- Use of the term “TVLA,” since that’s how we often refer to the Trent Valley Literacy Association.
Next Steps

. . . and our New Logo
As time goes on TVLA will gradually phase in our new logo. For example, we’ll use our current (old logo) stationary, but replace it with a fresh letterhead from our new graphics once it runs out. We will also eventually produce new business cards and interior signage.
If you visit our website at www.trentvalleyliteracy.ca you’ll see our new designs in action. Better yet, get there through www.tvla.ca – it’s a new, easier to remember address to direct you to the same site
Our next big step will be to mount a new outdoor sign created through the use of our digital graphics. Keep in touch to find out when we’ll put it up – we have an unveiling event planned.
Thanks again to artist Chris Huth (see his fantasy illustrations at www.chrishuth.com) and TVLA’s staff and community for giving us a fresh face!
Dear Students, Tutors and Friends,
Just a quick note to let you know that TVLA will be closed on Friday August 27th (this week). This isn’t because of problems, thank goodness! We have been extremely quiet the last couple of Fridays, and we decided to allow staff to take a vacation day and save some money on electricity, etc. at the same time.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact us here at 749-0777.
Our website(www.tvla.ca) is always open.
Best wishes,
Teresa Kerr
Executive Director, Trent Valley Literacy Association
(705) 749-0777
tkerr@trentvalleyliteracy.ca
We’re holding TVLA’s Yard Sale at the same time as ReBOOT Peterborough’s computer sale . That means the Yard Sale will run on August 14th from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM at 139 Douro Street, shared home of TVLA and ReBOOT NORTH.
We’re starting a bit earlier than ReBOOT but please don’t come before 9:00 to try and get a bargain! We’re going to be strict about starting sales only after 9:00 AM rolls around.
The Yard sale will include an assortment of items from TVLA and TVLA supporters, including:
- Furniture
- Office Equipment
- Books
- Décor
- Much, Much More — our list of items for the Yard Sale is still being finalized!
Yard sale earnings will go toward making multiple improvements to TVLA’s Learning Centre at 139 Douro Street. We have a list of items we would like to accomplish, time and funding permitting. Depending on the Yard Sale’s success and other factors, money from your purchase will help everything from financing a dump run for obsolete and broken items at the Learning Centre to air conditioning to help create a more comfortable environment for students, tutors and staff.
Want to know more about the Yard Sale? Call us at (705) 749-0777, drop by 139 Douro Street (front door entrance) or email us at info@trentvalleyliteracy.ca. Hope to see you there!
Thanks to the generous people behind Energy 99.7, Country 105 and 91.9 BOB FM we have a radio spot in rotation inviting people to become TVLA volunteers or students. Listen to it by clicking below!
TVLA Radio Spot