Farewell From Lee
Can you believe that the ice storm
happened nine years ago in January? The
first day of that ice storm was my first day
of work as Program Coordinator at
Literacy Plus - I didn’t make it to work
that day. That will be one memory I take
with me as I now say goodbye. It’s been a
grand nine years.
Nine years ago, our program was entirely volunteer-based. We provided almost 2,000 hours of tutoring per year. We had one computer and the office was a converted storage unit. Now, along with one-to-one volunteer tutoring, we offer classes, workshops and even online training to provide about 7,000 hours of training each year. Computers are a basic tool for administration, as well as for teaching and learning. That growth has been exciting and rewarding. I thank everyone who has helped to make it possible.
I have been privileged to work with many wonderful people—students, staff, and volunteers—during my time here. I will miss you. However, I am pleased that Literacy Plus is in good hands, and I look forward to seeing its continued growth.
I am also looking forward to the next stage of my life. In January I will be back in the classroom at Algonquin College, teaching in its new academic upgrading program. That program, College Preparation, is the next level up from the training that Literacy Plus provides. The ACE certificate earned in that program qualifies students for college courses and apprenticeships.
So, I remain a colleague in the literacy field. We will continue working together, although in changed roles. After all, that is the nature of life in Renfrew County.
- Lee Torvi
Calendars
Literacy Plus calendars are now available. Once again, we are grateful to many for their help with this fundraiser: to Xerox for donating a case of paper, Staples for donating the cover stock, and G & K Office Supplies for the spiral bindings. Special thanks go to Helen Dixon, Ethel Ryan, Marie Lehman and Sue Rupert for gathering donations from sponsors and putting the calendar together.
Please thank our sponsors by patronizing their businesses, and make a point of saying thanks to them for supporting literacy and Literacy Plus.
You can pick up a calendar at the
following locations:
Eganville - Literacy Plus
Renfrew - The Renfrew Book Shop
Arnprior - The Arnprior Book Shop
Pembroke - The Pembroke Library
Deep River - Deep River Library
Killaloe - Community Resource Centre
Barry's Bay - Activities Plus
Family Literacy Day
January 27 is Family Literacy Day. ABC Canada’s initiative is celebrated at hundreds of literacy themed events coordinated at home and by literacy organizations, schools and libraries. Media across the country recognize the day in magazines and newspapers, TV and radio. Here in Renfrew County a family reading and story telling event is planned for the Pembroke Mall on January 27, with lots of prizes for children and adults who participate. STAR 96 FM will support the event again this year with radio tags and a scavenger hunt. Watch for information after Christmas, or contact Karen Woods at literacyrenf@parentresource.on.ca.