Upcoming events in the fall!

Celebrate International Literacy Day and Literacy Month in Manitoba at LPM's Open House on September 6, 4:30 to 6:00. Once again, Diane McGifford, Minister of Literacy, (right, with LPM ED Lorri Apps) will join us.

Come to the Breakfast of Champions on September 10 at 7:30 a.m., where the premier will present an adult learner with the Council of the Federation literacy award.

Volunteer on October 3 at Raise-a-Reader Day.

The LPM Annual General Meeting will be held in November.

LPM continues on summer hours

No, we're not on a cruise, but we are operating on summer hours for the rest of August, so please phone 947-5757 before you come in.

Enjoy your holidays!

Readers celebrate the arrival of the latest Harry Potter novel at the Fairmont Hotel

The Fairmont Hotel, with support from the Winnipeg Free Press, Global Television, and McNally Robinson, celebrated the arrival of the latest Harry Potter novel on July 20.

LPM's president Monika Feist and executive director Lorri Apps attended the Wizards and Witches Weekend at the Fairmont. More than 50 rooms were reserved, and for each one, the hotel donated $25 to LPM.

In the photo, Jim McEachern (right), Director of Sales and Marketing, and his staff welcome the eager readers.

In Hogwart's Hall (the West Ballroom) the guests ate such delicacies as Cauldrons of Mysteriously Spiced Pumpkin Soup, Professor Sprout's Tossed Green Salad, and Red Flobberworm Coleslaw. At one minute after midnight, the books arrived at the hotel rooms, and all was quiet as the Potterheads read on into the wee hours.

Study shows rates at which adults lose literacy skills during their lifetime

Many Canadians experience a significant loss of literacy skills during adulthood, and this loss appears to be concentrated in adults from lower socio-economic backgrounds, according to a new study.The study, based on findings from the 1994 International Adult Literacy Survey (IALS) and the 2003 Adult Literacy and Life Skills Survey, examined how Canada's stock of literacy skills evolved during the nine-year period between the two surveys. More...

Canada Post annnounces finalists for literacy awards

Two instuctors, three anglophone learners and one francophone learner from Manitoba are among the finalists announced recently for the Canada Post Literacy Awards. More...

The Year in Review

It was another good year for literacy with its ups and downs, or shall we say its downs and ups? We've summarized the events, but you may wish to follow the links to the monthy bulletins.

September

In September, LPM was hit with the devastating news of federal funding cuts to the provincial literacy coalitions. But there was lots of good news as well.

At our Open House, Richard Frost of The Winnipeg Foundation announced that the Literacy for Life Fund, initiated by LPM in 2002, had raised $2 million to take full advantage of matching funds from the federal government.

Premier Gary Doer named Diane McGifford as the Minister for Advanced Education and Literacy. In response to LPM's request, September was declared Literacy Month.

The Raise-a-Reader drive raised more than $22,000 for literacy. Premier Doer presented the Council of the Federation Literacy Award to Daphne Prince.

October

On October 4, along with other coalitions across the country, LPM held a press conference to protest against the federal funding cuts to literacy. Learners, practitioners, politicians and the public expressed their support.

Rob Sarginson, project coordinator at LPM, was invited by the Quebec Department of Education to speak at the International Conference on Adult Literacy in Quebec City.  

Peter Bjornson, MLA for Gimli and Minister of Education (left, in his role as Captain Blackberry), visited the Reading Tent at the third annual community Halloween party in Gimli.

November

At the AGM on November 21, honorary life memberships were awarded to Susan Hamilton (right, with LPM president Monika Feist), Margaret Chambers, Dr. Marilyn Day and Marg Rose for their outstanding service to our organization.

Minister McGifford introduced the proposed Adult Literacy Act, as well as an additional $200,000 for adult literacy.

The Andrews Street Family Clinic launched a series of drug awareness pamplets with the help of LPM's plain language service.

December

LPM's executive director, Lorri Apps, was invited, along with other reresentatives from the non-profit field, to meet Liberal leader Stephane Dion and Ken Dryden. Lorri spoke about how the federal cuts to LPM would have an impact, directly and indirectly, on Manitobans with low literacy skills.

Bookmates, a family literacy organization, and partners pulished a series of Aboriginal family literacy materials.

Dorene Meyer (pictured with LPM's project officer, Rob Sarginson) donated proceeds from the sale of her anthology Prairie Writers, Volume 1, to LPM.

January

Agnes Gborie, a member of LPM’s Learner Speakers’ Bureau shared her recent medical treatment difficulties during the Manitoba Institute for Patient Safety’s press conference announcing their It’s Safe to Ask program. Brochures and flyers were distributed in 15 languages or dialects to hospitals, medical clinics and pharmacies.

On January 23, Mike Deeley of New Flyer Industries and Ernest Muswagon of Safe Workers of Tomorrow led a session on Literacy and the Workplace Connection at the Manitoba Safety Council’s Conference for LPM.

Richard Frost, CEO of The Winnipeg Foundation, joined Lorri Apps, LPM ED at our Family Literacy Day Press Conference to announce funding for a pilot project - HIPPY Winnipeg (Home Instruction for Parents of Preschool Youngsters). HIPPY Winnipeg is based on an international program where home visitors (immigrants and refugees) will visit new families to Winnipeg, working with preschoolers and their parents to develop their literacy skills together.

February

Meetings were held throughout the month with three government departments with LPM’s ED, Lorri Apps participating. Herman Hansen, Vice President, LPM Board of Directors, met with Jeff Parr, Deputy Minister of Labour and Immigration, to discuss concerns regarding the literacy needs of immigrants and plain language issues. Meetings were held with Minister Diane McGifford and Deputy Minister Dwight Botting of Advanced Education and Literacy, and with Finance Minister Greg Selinger to inform them about issues and challenges facing literacy programs and low literate Manitobans. Rob Sarginson, LPM’s Project Coordinator presented solutions to Minister Selinger.

On February 27, 2007 at Government House, the Honourable John Harvard, Lieutenant Governor of Manitoba, presented Dr. Raymond Hamilton Lavery with the Lieutenant Governor’s Literacy Medal (Photo:Tracey Goncalves). Dr. Lavery has dedicated over 40 years to Literacy Education in Manitoba. He is a former English teacher and department chair, university instructor, and curriculum writer, as well as an education consultant.

March

Jan Graham, Outreach Coordinator, sent LEARN Line posters to 750 community and recreation centres, social service agencies, medical clinics, libraries, churches, senior centres and educational institutions in Winnipeg.

Much of the month was taken up with planning for the literacy conference at the Canad Inn Fort Garry.

Elections Manitoba invited LPM to translate some of their material for the upcoming provincial election into plain language.

April

Fourteen learners from nine adult literacy programs graduated from the Learner Speakers' Bureau training session In the photo, CBC's Ron Robinson, who helps each year with the learners' speeches, works with Laura Paul of Open Doors Literacy Program.

Minister McGifford announced an increase of $500,000 to adult literacy. In the past 18 months the funding for literacy education of adults in Manitoba has risen by $800,000.

Gail Asper opened two "Can West Raise-a-Reader" tutorial rooms at the Millennium Library.

May

From the historical tour of Winnipeg to the panel discussion on literacy innovations around the world, the LPM Literacy Conference was a tremendous success. In the photo, Samaritan House of Brandon display their banner.

Joyce Kehler, our longest serving staff member, retired at the end of May.

Some of the new learner speaker graduates spoke out for literacy at various locations.

June

June, of course, was PGI month. Once again golfers turned out on a beautiful sunny day to raise money for literacy. Maria Goncalves was presented with the Co-operators' Learners' Achievement Award. In the photo, Margaret Rempel of the Co-operators presents the award to Maria.

One of the literacy greats, Shirley Skogan, retired after 21 years as instructor and coordinator of the Selkirk Adult Literacy Program. Colleagues and friends gathered at the Selkirk library to wish her well.