National Adult Literacy Database

The Congress brings together scholars, students, policy-makers and leaders involved in a broad spectrum of disciplines including political science, literature, sociology and education. The 2013 Congress theme "@ the edge" not only reflects the University of Victoria's geographical position in Canada and on the Pacific Rim, but, as well, the need to integrate the periphery both institutionally and socially.

TD Bank Group and the Winnipeg Public Library welcomed over 60 grade-school students to help kick off the 2013 TD Summer Reading Club. The initiative takes place across Canada in an effort to encourage children to build and maintain strong reading skills throughout the summer months.

The Kids Write Club (KWC) literacy program was created by entrepreneur and author Helen Georgaklis to encourage children to find their voice through writing. Its mission is to get as many children putting fingers to pen at an early age.

ABC Life Literacy Canada recently hosted A Roundtable for Action to discuss ways in which workforce/ workplace literacy and essential skills training can help combat the growing skills shortage in Canada. Watch this video to find out more.

Premier Kathleen Wynne visited the University of Ottawa recently where she announced new support that will help more francophone students study in French in the field of their choice. Starting in 2013-14, Ontario's francophone students who travel a minimum of 80 kilometres to attend full-time studies in French will qualify for the Ontario Distance Grant, no matter where they live in the province.

"The dictionary definition says Literacy means to be able to read, write and comprehend. But to me it means much more. It means the confidence to express my thoughts, feelings and ideas and to socialize with people." - Story from Frontier College

Please take a few minutes to fill out this short feedback survey regarding ABC Life Literacy Canada's and Natrel Baboo's joint project: Family Literacy Resources for New Parents. The survey must be completed before 5:00 p.m. ET on Friday, May 24, 2013, for your chance to win a Family Literacy Day prize pack.

Each year Newfoundland and Labrador Laubach Literacy Council acknowledges the achievements of its students through the Student of the Year award. Aggie Snook of Stephenville has been selected to receive the NLLLC Student of the Year Achievement Award for 2012. As well, the Susie Day Volunteer of the Year Award was created to recognize those who demonstrate outstanding service through participation in and leadership of Laubach programs. This year’s recipient is Maureen Kennedy.

In the coming months, the Government of Canada will take several steps to bring players together and stimulate innovative ideas for addressing social and economic challenges. The Government will look to leaders in the social finance sector, such as the J.W. McConnell Family Foundation, the Centre for Impact Investing at MaRS, Vancouver City Savings Credit Union, Social Capital Partners, and others to help identify a way forward.

Learning disabilities are commonly considered a school-based issue; but struggling in school means struggling in life. This makes learning to be confident and acquiring a healthy mental attitude a particular challenge for those with learning disabilities. With children and youth as this year's focus for Mental Health Awareness Week, I would like to call attention to the relationship between mental health issues and learning disabilities.

Each month NALD releases Library user statistics in a feature known as the Top 20 downloads/20 Plus téléchargés. The report examines the number of NALD Library documents, in both English and French, which are viewed and downloaded by visitors to the websites NALD and BDAA.

One of the organizers of Reading Week in Jamaica, Yvette Rodney, said socioeconomic conditions are a major factor in promoting reading. "We hope to have the children more interested in reading because most, if not all of them, are from the inner city and they don't really have the books," she said. "We hope to pique their interests to get them excited about reading."

“Throughout its long history, the literacy and essential skills field has continually evolved and adapted in response to the changing needs of adults. This timeline captures some of the important people, events, initiatives and other influences that have helped shape the literacy and essential skills field in Canada over the past 200 years.” -- Essential Skills Ontario

The Literacy Foundation is delighted to announce that 36,903 children living in underprivileged neighbourhoods have received a brand new book this year, through its Gift of Reading program. That is 6,100 more books than last year. Imagine all those magical moments to be shared as a family, all those worlds to be discovered through reading.

The Reaching IN...Reaching OUT (RIRO) trainer “intensive” prepares you to offer the RIRO Resiliency Skills Training program to service providers in your community who work with children seven years and under and their families. Join more than 200 trainers from across Canada in delivering this well-regarded program to local communities.