B.C. government pledges $500,000 to Raise-a-Reader literacy campaign
Credit to Author: Susan Lazaruk| Date: Fri, 27 Sep 2019 10:00:50 +0000
The Vancouver Sun’s annual Raise-a-Reader literacy campaign, which has raised millions of dollars over the last two decades, winds up today with renewed funding from the B.C. government.
“Literacy skills are really important in today’s world, not just for getting through elementary and high schools,” said B.C. Education Minister Rob Fleming, who announced the donation this week.
“They can start a love of learning that’s important, whether you go into trades or post-secondary education beyond their school years.”
He said reading skills also strengthen critical thinking, communication skills and the ability to navigate online media.
Fleming said Raise-a-Reader “plays a very important role in supporting literacy by raising funds for community programs throughout the province.”
The provincial investment to the Raise-a-Reader campaign since it launched in 1997 is $7.9 million.
The funds are co-ordinated by Decoda Literacy Solutions, the only provincewide literacy organization.
Examples of B.C. community programs that benefit from Raise-a-Reader include:
• Cortes Island Inuit Storytelling Program: Cortes Literacy, working with the Cortes Island school and community, brought author and Inuit storyteller Michael Kusugak to provide a daylong storytelling and book-reading workshop. Cortes also hosted children’s author and school teacher Monica Nawrocki to run a series of workshops for youth aged 10 to 15, teaching them the basics of good storytelling.
• Prince George Read and Run Program: Provided children with the opportunity to read with their caregivers. After reading a designated number of books, they were eligible for an all-expenses paid trip to Vancouver to run in The Vancouver Sun Run.
• Mission Reading Buddies Program: This long-standing program, now in its 17th year, matches volunteers with elementary students who struggle with reading. The program is held at the Okanagan Regional Public Library — Mission Branch. Volunteers are middle and high school students, retirees and interested adults. The buddies meet once a week for an hour and spend time reading, playing games, colouring and doing crossword and word search puzzles. The goal is to ignite a love of reading.
• Southern Stl’atl’imx Words of Wisdom video project: Words of Wisdom is a tool for families to learn about Stl’atl’imx language and culture together at home. This project brought artist Christine Germano to Stl’atl’imx communities to facilitate storytelling and postcard-making with youth and Elders.
The 2019 Raise-a-Reader campaign included stories in The Vancouver Sun’s print and online editions to highlight some of the programs it has funded.
“Literacy is an essential skill that improves the lives and future of each one of us,” said Christina de Castell, Vancouver Public Library’s chief librarian. “It is crucial to economic development, and to individual and community well-being.
“Thanks to funding received through Raise-a-Reader and the generous contributions of donors, VPL is able offer more literacy programs that make a real difference for children and families.”
“The Canucks Family Education Centre celebrates its 17th birthday in October,” said executive director Jean Rasmussen. “The ongoing funds we receive from the Raise-a-Reader program help us address the barriers and gaps in services that stop parents and families from succeeding. Strong literacy skills help to create a more equitable and just society that benefits everyone.”
Last year, funds raised through Raise-a-Reader helped bring literacy program to more than 65,000 children and their caregivers through more than 5,000 programs. And there’s still time to donate.
Since its launch in 1997, Raise-a-Reader has provided more than $18 million to promote literacy in B.C.
• Online at raiseareader.com.
• By phone, at 604 681-4199.
• By cheque, payable to Raise-a-Reader, #980, 1125 Howe St., Vancouver, B.C., V6Z 2K8.
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