Literacy – Spanning North America :: Philadelphia PA :: Portage Co WI :: Canada

Literacy: Spanning North America      

@FreeLibraryCook

For these immigrants, flipping pancakes and learning English go hand-in-hand

Philly News: 7.12.2018 by Anya van Wagtendonk

Seventeen students stood around gleaming silver tables in the Culinary Literacy Center, a bright, spacious kitchen and classroom on the fourth floor of the Parkway Central Library, listening as Lindsay Southworth told them what was on the menu for the day.

“Who here has had pancakes before?” she asked.

Only a few hands went up.

The assembled students, immigrants from 12 countries, are participants in Edible Alphabet, a program that teaches English through cooking classes. Over the course of six lessons, each three hours long, these students will make their way through a full recipe book, improving their ability to communicate about food and gaining confidence to navigate a new city and culture.

“The curriculum uses the meal that we make together as the vehicle for learning English,” said Liz Fitzgerald, the Culinary Literacy Center’s director.

The program began three years ago as a one-off cooking class for a nonprofit that serves refugees. This fiscal year, the library will offer five iterations of the program at the Free Library’s Parkway Central Library, and four at neighborhood branches.  READ MORE >>

Portage Co

Literacy Council

Literacy Can’t Wait: Tutors Needed For Adults In Portage County

GOSP News: 7.14.2018

The Portage County Literacy Council (PCLC) is looking for additional volunteers to tutor adults in our community. PCLC and other Wisconsin Literacy members are working together for Literacy Can’t Wait, a volunteer tutor recruitment drive that encourages local residents to change lives through literacy.

Approximately 1.5 million residents statewide are in need of literacy support. Literacy Can’t Wait , supported by Dollar General Literacy Foundation, the American Family Dreams Foundation, Vernon Library Supplies, and WEA Trust, will recruit, train, and match new volunteer tutors with adults seeking much-needed literacy service. The PCLC helps adults achieve more at work, with family, and in their everyday lives.

With the help of trained volunteer tutors, adults improve their reading, writing, and math skills. Immigrants and refugees learn English and civics information. Without being able to read, write, or speak English at a high level, it’s difficult for adults to access family-supporting jobs, read to their children or support them in school, understand health information, and so much more. Literacy empowers adults to achieve these goals, and volunteer tutors are a part of the solution.  READ MORE >>

Canada's Premiers Announce 2018 Literacy Award Recipients

News Wire: 7.18.2018 Canada's Premiers

Canada's Premiers today announced the recipients of the 14th annual Council of the Federation Literacy Award. Presented in each province and territory, the Award celebrates outstanding achievement, innovative practice and excellence in literacy.

The recipients of the 2018 Council of the Federation Literacy Award are:

Red Deer Public Library Adult Literacy Program – Alberta

Sara Grant – British Columbia

Julie Black – Manitoba

Suna Dau Yath – Newfoundland and Labrador

Chantal Pelletier – New Brunswick

Tyler Kerr – New Brunswick

Diane Brule – Northwest Territories

Samia Eldik – Nova Scotia

Elizabeth Tunnuq – Nunavut

TR Leger School of Adult, Alternative and Continuing Education – Ontario

Alex Watts – Prince Edward Island

Édith Loualou – Québec

Judy Craig – Saskatchewan

Isabelle Salesse – Yukon

"Literacy is a fundamental skill that helps unleash one's potential and is crucial to the future prosperity of the Canadian economy," said Brian Gallant, Premier of New Brunswick and incoming Chair of the Council of the Federation. "On behalf of my colleagues, Canada's Premiers, we are pleased to congratulate the 2018 recipients of the Council of the Federation Literacy Award. Through tireless efforts and commitments to literacy, these individuals and organizations play an important role in strengthening our social fabric and our economy here in Canada."

Premiers recognize literacy is an important part of every Canadian's ability to participate as a full and active citizen in all areas of society. Created in 2004, the Award celebrates adult learners who undertake literacy training, as well as the valuable contributions made by Canadians in the field of literacy, including family, Aboriginal, health, workplace, and community literacy. The Award is presented to learners, educators, volunteers, community organizations, and businesses in each province and territory.  READ MORE >>