March 23, 2009
OTTAWA - Nominations for the Canada Post Community Literacy Awards are now open. These awards highlight the achievements of Canadians making a special effort or important contribution to improving Canada’s literacy landscape. The Awards recognize adult learners and educators in either Individual Achievement or Educator categories.
Thursday morning, 6:30 a.m., Karen begins her day. On the fridge door, she finds a note from her husband reminding her he’ll be late tonight and that she’ll need to take their son to hockey practice and sign his travel form for the tournament. Digging out her family’s favourite pancake recipe, Karen gathers the ingredients and starts breakfast. Her youngest child has an ear infection and, between pancakes, she administers antibiotics to him, following the instructions on the bottle. While the children eat, she takes the opportunity to browse the web, pay her bills online and write an email to a friend confirming weekend plans. She then looks at flyers announcing weekly specials, adds items to her grocery list and takes a moment to open the mail. When Karen drops her children at daycare, she finds a memo in their locker about an outing the next day and to dress the children accordingly. Finally she arrives at work where a sign posted on the door advises the elevator is being repaired. It is barely 8:30 a.m. and, already, Karen has used her literacy skills more than a dozen times.
The necessity of solid literacy skills reveal their true importance when you think about how many times a day we need to understand written language. Although literacy is often taken for granted, among Canadian adults aged 16 to 65, approximately nine million, or 42%, obtained a score below the level considered as a minimum for coping with the demands of modern life and work.* “There remains an enormous amount of work to be done to ensure all Canadians have adequate literacy skills,” says Robert Waite, senior vice-president of Corporate Social Responsibility at Canada Post. “But every year we are encouraged by the incredible success stories we’re told through the Award nominations. These Awards truly honour the front-line heroes—students and mentors—of Canada’s literacy community.”
Canadians are encouraged to submit nominations by visiting Canada Post’s Literacy Awards web site at www.canadapost.ca/literacyawards to download a nomination form and view full program details. To request a free copy of the nomination booklet, write to:
2009 CANADA POST LITERACY AWARDS
2701 RIVERSIDE DRIVE SUITE N1081
OTTAWA ON K1A 0B1
Nominations must be received in Ottawa by May 31, 2009. The names of the finalists will be announced in late July and the winners will be notified in August. Winners will be recognized at ceremonies in their communities and awarded a prize of $300 (Individual) or $500 (Educator).
Again this year, the Canada Post Community Literacy Awards are proud to have the support of Canwest as Presenting Sponsor, and Lowe Martin as the Official Sponsor.
* Source: Adult Literacy and Life Skills Survey, 2003
