Trillium Grant
Literacy Plus is pleased to report its successful application to the Ontario Trillium Foundation for funding to help with another phase of marketing. The Trillium funding will allow us to develop kit portfolios and a PowerPoint presentation to promote our programs and seek corporate donations. We will also be able to purchase a laptop computer and PowerPoint projector to aid with presentations.
We are grateful as well to The Delfi Group, who are contributing much of the cost of consultant time, and to Custom Printers of Renfrew, who are discounting their normal fee. Consultant Jim Slavin brings to the project his combined knowledge of marketing and nonprofit volunteer-based organizations. Work will take place over the next three months, with piloting of the materials in the spring.
Literacy Matters: A Call for Action
Craig Alexander, TD Bank's Deputy Chief Economist, recently released a report called Literacy Matters: A Call for Action. Using data from the International Adult Literacy Skills Survey (IALSS) and other sources, the 18- page report stresses the importance of higher literacy skills to both individuals and the national economy. Alexander worries that there is no real evidence of improvement in literacy skills in Canada over the past three decades. To address this challenge, he says, policy at all levels of government must be unified; the private sector must take an active role. Higher literacy can boost the financial success of individuals and the economy as a whole. It can reduce poverty, improve health, lift community engagement and lead to a higher standard of living. In fact, he concludes, it is hard to identify any other single issue that can have such a large payoff to individuals, the economy and society. To read the full report, go to: www.td.com/community/literacy_matters.pdf.
International Literacy Day
The vital link between literacy and health was the focus of this year's International Literacy Day, September 8, 2007. It is also the theme for 2007-2008 in the UN's Literacy Decade. Through the year, UNESCO and its partners will advocate around the world for literacy and its links with general health care, nutrition, family health, and health-related community development.
In Canada, unlike many parts of the world, we are fortunate to have a health care system available to all. But even here, poor literacy skills can lead to poorer health. Many people cannot read well enough to follow directions or cautions on prescription medicines. They often have trouble asking for or understanding health care information.
The National Literacy and Health Program promotes awareness among Canadian health professionals of the link between literacy and health. The program focuses on health information in plain language and clear verbal communication between health professionals and the clients they serve. For information on NLHP, you can go to www.nlhp.cpha.ca.
Newsletter Changes
Starting with this issue, Literacy Plus will produce only two full-scale newsletters each year, one in the fall and one in the spring. Though Sue and Peggy enjoy putting the newsletters together, there are more and more demands on staff time. We'll save a bit of postage too.
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December 12 – Christmas Open House |
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