Premier hails Winnipeg mom as everyday Manitoba hero

A single mother of three who conquered language barriers in order to pursue her goal of working in the health-care field has been presented with the fourth annual Council of the Federation Adult Literacy Award, Premier Gary Doer announced today.

"Anita Martens' story inspires us with her strong commitment to learning and her courage in successfully developing literacy skills in her second language," Doer said. "Her dedication to improving her life and family stands as a positive example for the community." More...

Meet the new Executive Director for Adult Learning and Literacy

Lynette Plett, the new Executive Director for Adult Learning and Literacy, returned to Manitoba from Toronto where she completed her doctorate at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE/UT) in 2006. Lynette has twenty years of experience, much of it in Manitoba, working as an adult educator, researcher and writer. She has developed and taught numerous courses for youth and adults from diverse economic, cultural, and language backgrounds in employment preparation, academic upgrading, English as an Additional Language, and literacy programs in university, community, and workplace programs. Lynette is looking forward to working with Manitobans on adult learning and literacy concerns.

LPM Executive Director wins Canada Post Literacy Award

Congratulations from the LPM Board go to LPM Executive Director Lorri Apps and adult learner Lisa Forest of Ile-des-Chenes on being awarded this year's Canada Post Literacy Awards. Lorri won in the Manitoba Educator Category, and Lisa in the Manitoba Individual Achievement category.

Lorri was presented the Award at LPM's September annual Open House (Literacy Day, September 8) by Kathi Neal, Manager, Media and Community Affairs from Canada Post.

This year marks the 16th edition of the Canada Post Community Literacy Awards. With Canwest Global as a presenting sponsor for 2008, winners from every region of the country, these awards are given for individual achievement and educational leadership, and recognize the value of literacy and the importance of community support. For a list of all the winners, please visit the Canada Post site.
Canwest Raise-a-Reader Day brings in record amount!
September 24th was Canwest Raise-a-Reader Day and Literacy Partners staff, volunteers and our Word Monster were running around the corner of Goulet and Tache selling special editions of the Free Press. Other locations throughout Winnipeg were worked as well by other organizations. Together, we made a new Winnipeg record by raising about $10,000 more than last year! At the LPM location in St. Boniface, we raised $1,380.75. In total, Canwest Raise-a-Reader collected $32,298.54 for adult literacy in Manitoba!

A huge thank you to all of our hard-working, smiling volunteers, and the support of our community! We can't do it without you!

It's time to renew your LPM memberships

It’s that time of year again. If you are currently a member, September 1 is your renewal date. As a reminder, Debra will be contacting programs by phone to be sure you don’t miss out on a complete year of membership benefits. If you purchase a non-profit organization membership before October 15th, your program will be placed in a draw. 

Three certificates will be drawn for by Sylvia Wiebe and Joan MacDonald, the Manitoba Reads Calendar Co-chairs. 

1st Prize: $400 certificate
2nd Prize: $300 certificate
3rd Prize: $200 certificate

The draw is a result of the proceeds raised by the sale of the Manitoba Reads 2008 Calendar. Winners will be notified by e-mail.The non-profit membership form is here.  No other membership categories are eligible for the draw.
What's new at our Resource Library

So did your summer go as fast as mine? It was a busy one with lots of changes … one of those being an adjustment in my hours here at LPM. I will now be more available since my hours have been increased. My duties will be more varied but I will certainly be pleased to assist any of you who come in to use the Resource Centre. Please see Lorri’s news items for more information.

Since we are now beginning a new program term, I thought it appropriate to review some of our assessment materials. More...

Breakfast for Practitioners

Debra Litkowich, the LPM Resource Centre Coordinator, is now also responsible for coordinating our Practitioners' Breakfast. Our first breakfast of the new program year is FRIDAY, OCTOBER 17 at 8:30 at our office. Please mark your calendars and make every effort to attend. If you haven’t attended a breakfast, be adventurous and come join us! RSVP to liblpm@mb.literacy.ca as early as possible.
Introduction to Plain Language workshops

October 27 - 28
Two full days of workshops guaranteed to help you write so that your audience understands your message. Charles Moody, the foremost Plain Language expert in Manitoba, will be the instructor. Please register by October 15 by calling Rob at 954-3856 or emailing at rsarginson@mb.literacy.ca.

Please see poster for more details.
Urban Entrepreneurs with Disabilities Project

If this sounds like you...

  • Has a disability due to physical or mental impairment
  • Has a business idea or wants to expand a business
  • Is willing to complete the necessary research to establish a business

... you will want to check out this opportunity.

On the Same Page

The Manitoba Writers' Guild is kicking off their first-ever literacy project, On The Same Page: Manitoba Reads! (OTSP). "We believe that those of us who read the same books speak the same language."

Organizers of the OTSP unanimously chose In Search of April Raintree by Beatrice Mosionier to launch the project. In its 25th anniversary year, this novel is poised as a classic of Canadian literature and touches on important themes and issues relevant to every Manitoban.

"Our ultimate goal in the first year is to urge at least 12,000 people (1% of the provincial population) to read it during the designated time frame: October 2008 – April 2009. We invite all Manitobans and all of Canada to participate in the project by reading or re-reading In Search of April Raintree, creating a piece of writing or artwork inspired by the book, and discussing the book with other readers. "

Emergent Literacy: A Comprehensive Toolkit

How do you assess beginning readers and writers? In 2005, a national survey on assessment practices was conducted with 400 adult educators who worked in Canadian colleges, school boards, community-based programs, and workplaces. The findings indicated that educators wanted an assessment tool that assessed the emergent literacy skills of adults. In fact, this was the highest ranked need among the respondents. More...


LiteracyWORKS Gala on November 6
LiteracyWORKS, the oldest literacy program in Winnipeg, is celebrating its 30th Anniversary on Thursday, November 6th. Please join us for our Gala at Inn at the Forks, an evening of readings, stories from students, conversation and dinner. To date, celebrity readers are Janet Stewart (CBC anchor), Colleen Simard (Free Press columnist), and Jim Rondeau (MLA Manitoba). We will also have a silent auction, including autographed books from a number of Canadian and Manitoba authors. To purchase tickets or for more information, go to www.litworks.ca/gala.shtml  or call the office at 786-1212. We hope to see you there!


Contact Us
Do you have an event coming up? Do you have praise to pass along? Is there something happening in your program you’re particularly proud of? Give us a call at: (204) 947-5757, fax us at (204) 956-9315 or email: communications@mb.literacy.ca. We want to hear about it!

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