Faye Belhumeur Receives Literacy Award at Breakfast of Champions 2005
(Winnipeg, MB, CANADA, 9 September, 2005)
Manitoba’s
Premier Gary Doer announced the first-ever Manitoba winner of the
Council of the Federation Literacy Award today at the annual “Breakfast
of Champions”. The ceremony followed the annual International Literacy
Day (September 8), and was hosted by Literacy Partners of Manitoba
(LPM) and the Manitoba Chambers of Commerce. Faye Belhumeur of Swan River was chosen as the first-ever Premier’s Literacy Award winner.
In the picture, Faye (centre) is standing with Executive Director of LPM Lorri Apps and Premier Doer.
Faye is an accomplished literacy learner. Despite having doubts about her ability to learn, Faye enrolled at the Swan River Adult Education Centre in 2003. Since then she has upgraded her basic literacy skills, completed the Literacy Stage Certificate, the GED, and the Mature Student High School Diploma.
Faye now uses her passion for literacy as a volunteer assisting new immigrants, and tutoring adults and children. Currently, she works part time as an education assistant while continuing her studies.
Faye, whose 13-year old son Eric attended the ceremony with her, received a certificate, signed by Premier Doer, as well as a Literacy Medallion.
The Council of the Federeation Literacy Award recognizes the valuable contributions made in the field of literacy, including family, Aboriginal, health, workplace and community literacy. It is presented to educators, volunteers, learners, and community organizations (including non-governmental organizations) and businesses in each province and territory.
The country’s Premiers agreed to create the Award in 2004 in recognition of the importance of literacy as an essential building block to a vibrant society and economy.
Literacy Partners of Manitoba is dedicated to the promotion of adult and family literacy and to the support of the literacy field through the provision of resources.
Click here to read Faye's speech at the Breakfast of Champions