Victoria READ Society

Santa Came Early to READ

“Helping children and families in need ...no matter what the need. ”

CFAX Santas Anonymous gave solid evidence of their commitment to the children in our community with a gift to the READ Bursary Fund of $30,000. These monies are being used in full to provide tuition assistance to a dozen children who need our help to tackle their learning challenges in reading, writing and math. The generosity of this gift reduced the waitlist for bursary by almost half and many of the children got a head start on learning by being able to attend summer classes at READ.

We would like to acknowledge the CFAX Santas who presented the cheque on-air to READ board member Wendy Graham: Mel Cooper, Joe Easingwood and Dusty Cunningham. Thank you.

The Victoria READ Society is the very grateful recipient of a generous grant of $12,500 from the Times Colonist Book Drive Disbursement Fund. This was the eighth year for the TC Book Drive and Sale, which has raised over half a million dollars for education and literacy projects here on the Island.

In recognition of the TC’s commitment to literacy, READ established the Times Colonist Book Drive Bursary Fund in 2004. This year, $10,000 will again be awarded as bursaries to children who need the individualized instruction our professional teachers provide. The teachers are thrilled with the additional $2500 for the purchase of educational resource materials at all three locations of our Learning Centres. Thank you to Kathy Baan and the TC Book Drive Disbursement Fund committee members!

Soroptimist International of Greater Victoria has been a vital part of the community for over 70 years, raising over $100,000 for local programs. The READ Bursary Fund received $1,000 in June to help children from lower-income families access our individualized after-school instruction. We are grateful for this continued generosity and support.

Victoria Elks Lodge No. 2 chose to give a gift of $1,800 to help children learn at READ. We thank the men and women of the Elks who promote and support their communities. They are making a difference by recognizing the needs of young students and providing a means for them to gain new skills and develop self- confidence.

Up Front with READ’s Executive Director

The good news just keeps coming this summer! Not only did we receive some very generous donations (see above), but we heard from the Ministry of Community, Aboriginal and Women’s Services that READ is “the successful proponent for the Greater Victoria Service Area Request for Proposal #ON-000486 to provide English Language Services to Adults.” In plain language, that means – “Hooray!” We will have funding to continue classes for immigrants and refugees who wish to improve their English and learn about Canadian culture. We are thrilled to welcome back our ELSA students this fall.

- Julie Holder