The literacy year in review !

What a great year for literacy in Manitoba! In this issue, we review the highlights month by month. Click on a month and follow the link to relive some of these moments.

September

In the literacy world, September is often the busiest month. This year was no exception. Premier Gary Doer presented the first Council of the Federation Literacy Award at our Breakfast of Champions. Minister Theresa Oswald joined colleagues Jim Rondeau and Bonnie Korzienowski to promote literacy in their own ridings. Minister Dianne McGifford proclaimed International Lilteracy Day at our Open House on September 8. And of course, LPM volunteers raised money for Literacy on Raise-a-Reader Day.

October

In October, the Free Press interviewed our Outreach Coordinator Jan Graham and a couple of literacy volunteers. Jan received many calls and put new volunteers in touch with programs. Also this month,LPM visited the PULSE program in Minnedosa and the Selkirk Friendship Centre to demonstrate new materials. LPM attended Literacy Action Day in Ottawa. The Brandon Friendship Centre held an Art Auction to raise money for literacy. The Dauphin Friendship Centre held its annual Literacy Challenge to raise awareness of literacy issues.

November

At the AGM on November 23, Marilyn Day, president of LPM, presented the Community Partnership Award to Gail Asper in recognition of the CanWest Global Foundation's contribution to literacy. A highlight of the meeting was the powerful speech by Learner Speakers' Bureau representative, Esther Oi-Ying Hung, shown in the picture with Learner Speakers' Bureau trainer Jan Graham. LiteracyWorks held their annual Scrabblefest on November 13. LPM Interlake rep. Carol Goossen held family literacy training sessions in Gimli.

December

On December 9, LPM hosted a literacy practitioners' breakfast. This has proved a succesful event where literacy instructors can meet, discuss common concerns, and ask LPM to act on their behalf. A member's concern from an earlier breakfast resulted in LPM's consulting with the Manitoba Housing and Renewal Corporation to simplify documents for their clients. Join us for breakfast next year! Also this month, Bookmates moved to new digs in St. Boniface. The Brandon Friendship Centre hosted a forum for election candidates.

January

From Carman to Thompson, Gimli to Minnedosa, literacy programs were hosting Family Literacy Day celebrations. The Lieutenant Governor, Ministers, local politicians, entertainers, and sports celebrities read to eager children. In the picture, Laverne Morrisseau Adult Learning Centre and Literacy Program students display the story sacks they made for the Parent-Child program of the Dauphin Friendship Centre. On January 23, LPM and literacy practitioners met Minister Diane McGifford to discuss the need for more places in literacy programs.

February

This month, politicians were supporting I Love to Read Month. In the picture, Gord Mackintosh reads to students at Lord Nelson School. LPM was named one of the non-profit organizations that Adult Education and Training would support through additional fundraising as part of the Manitoba Government Employees All Charities Campaign. The Board announced that Don Fournier, literacy student, Herman Hansen, Boeing Technology, and Bob Thompson, Stevenson Britannia Literacy Foundation, had been appointed to fill vacant positions.

March

This year’s Lieutenant Governor's Literacy Medal was presented to Gail Tiessen, former ESL/Literacy teacher, program coordinator and curriculum developer and currently an Associate Professor at Providence College and Seminary in Otterburne. Lorri Apps of LPM was one of the delegates sent by the province to the Council of the Federations's post-secondary skills and education summit in Ottawa. She had the opportunity to brief the Premier on literacy developments in Manitoba.

April

Students from Open Doors Adult Literacy Program, Stevenson-Britannia Adult Learning Centre, EPW - Bridges to Employment Program, and the Aboriginal Literacy Program successfuly completed public speaking training conducted by Learner Outreach Coordinator Jan Graham. Call us if you need a speaker. Also this month, LPM welcomed resource centre coordinator Debra Litkowich. To promote its expanding plain language services, LPM launched a new web site at www.plainlanguage.mb.literacy.ca.

May

This month, LPM sponsored the highly successful Interlake Family Literacy conference. More than 125 adults and 34 children under the age of eight attended. At noon, a special celebration honoured IALA’s hardworking dynamo, Margaret Chambers, pictured here with long-time friend and colleague, Shirley Skogan. Aso this month, Leona Massan joined LPM as northern rep. LiteracyWorks hosted a Research in Practice meeting. Holly Banner of Winnipeg and Denise Weir of Virden were appointed to remaining positions on the Board.

June

June is PGI month. What a success was this year's tournament! Shelagh Rogers of CBC's "Sounds Like Canada" and Annitta Stenning of the City of Winnipeg hosted the event at Elmhurst Golf and County Club. Sharon Churchill, winner of the Co-operators' Learner Award, enthralled the banquet guests with the story of her successful struggle to increase her level of literacy. Elsewhere, literacy programs wound down, and instructors and students headed out to enjoy their well-earned summer break. Enjoy the rest of this mosquito-free summer!