Humber Literacy Council Wins title

The Humber Literacy Council recently won the Canada Post Flight for Freedom Award for leadership in literacy in Newfoundland and Labrador. Bessie Merrigan, President of the Humber Literacy Council accepted the award at the Peter Gzowski Invitational Golf Tournament held at St. John's on Monday, September 28, 1998.

Lynn Palmer, Canada Post, recognized the significant contribution the Humber Literacy Council has made in its thirteen years of commitment to literacy in Newfoundland and Labrador. It has developed a large group of volunteers dedicated to improving literacy in the Corner Brook, Bay of Islands area. It has been involved in the Laubach Summer Reading for Fun programs for the past nine summers. She further stated that the Books for literacy symbol imageBabies program initiated by the Humber Literacy Council in 1994 was an innovative program deserving of recognition. The Humber Literacy Council received the Leadership award for the introduction of and the continuation of the program since 1994. In accepting the award, Bessie recognized Canada Post as a significant promoter and supporter of literacy across Canada. The corporate sponsors of this award were also recognized for their support. She explained that the Books for Babies program provides packages to newborns and their families free of charge. Volunteers visit the hospitals to deliver these packages and to ask parents and caregivers to read to their children 15 minutes a day every day from the time they are born. Parents who register their child with the program also receive a free book each year for the next four years. This program, under the leadership of Art Brown - Provincial Coordinator, has expanded to all areas of Western Newfoundland, the Northern Peninsula, and to areas in eastern Newfoundland. The Humber Literacy Council's goal is to ensure that every newborn in Newfoundland and Labrador receives a Books for Babies package. Continuous support of corporations such as Canada Post, along with local support, will make this possible.

Along with a framed certificate of recognition, the Humber Literacy Council received an IBM APTIVA computer and colour printer. They would like to thank Canada Post and the Literacy Development Council for their support.


Society's Future?
Making the Grade - Youth Helping Youth

Laubach Literacy of Canada has been helping young people by working with schools, community learning centres, band councils, youth correctional centres, etc. since 1990. A Laubach Literacy of Canada Peer Youth Tutor Club offers young people between the ages of 15 and 25 the opportunity to learn reading, writing and numeracy skills on a one-on-one tutoring basis.

Here's how a Peer Youth Tutor Club works . . .

A Club is entirely based on volunteerism among its members. A Laubach qualified volunteer trainer trains a group of volunteer youth in a 12-hour Laubach training workshop. Following the training, the new tutors are "paired" with their peers in need of assistance with reading, writing and/or numeracy skills. The whole group operates as a Club - tutors and students participating in activities together.

Benefits . . .
—  One-on-one tutoring can turn a failing student into
      a passing one
—  Increased self-esteem for tutors and students alike
—  Improved attitudes
—  Sense of responsibility and participation for all
—  Plus, plus...

 

Funding . . .
—  Laubach Literacy of Canada, with the assistance of the National Literacy Secretariat, has funding available to help set up a Peer Youth Tutor Club in your community.

To receive a PYT Club information kit and application form for funding please contact:
Sara Mills, Laubach Literacy of Canada, 60-C Elizabeth Street, Box 198, Bedford, QC J0J 1A0
Tel: 1-888-248-2898       Fax: 1-450-248- 7054


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