ABC Life Literacy Canada

ABC Life Literacy Canada honours three new award winners; CN Tower illuminates Toronto skyline for literacy cause

(Toronto, ON – October 7, 2010) – As part of Life Literacy Night held at the iconic CN Tower last night, individuals from government, business and the literacy field gathered to celebrate 20 years of ABC Life Literacy Canada’s efforts in raising awareness of the life literacy cause. At the celebration, the following three prestigious awards were also presented in honour of excellence in life literacy:

The Honourable Joyce Fairbairn, P.C. Literacy Public Awareness Award
Established in honour of Senator Joyce Fairbairn, a long-standing champion of the literacy cause, this award recognizes a Canadian corporation’s exceptional contributions in support of literacy.

Winner: HarperCollins Canada Ltd.
HarperCollins Canada Ltd. has supported the adult literacy cause for many years. In addition to numerous donations and contributions made to ABC Life Literacy Canada, HarperCollins Canada Ltd. has donated hundreds of books to community literacy initiatives, provided free distribution of materials to literacy groups across Canada, and sponsored the 2009 Peter Gzowski Literacy Award of Merit, enabling the award winner to make a donation to a literacy program of their choosing.

The Dr. Alan Middleton Workplace Literacy and Learning Award
This inaugural award recognizes an individual for their exceptional achievement in increasing workplace literacy and essential skills in their community. The honour was established to pay tribute to the outstanding contribution of ABC Life Literacy Canada board member, Dr. Alan Middleton.

Winner: Kevin Landry
A decade ago, Kevin Landry was a snowplow worker in Antigonish, Nova Scotia who, driven by the desire to get his GED and improve his employment opportunities, participated in a workplace reading, writing and math program. Since then, he has gone on to become an ambassador for workplace education and has been promoted to an Inspector role. Through Kevin's efforts and leadership, hundreds of employees have participated in workplace education programs and there has been an increased awareness of workplace education throughout his native Nova Scotia.

The Peter Gzowski Life Literacy Fellowship
A tribute to the late broadcaster and journalist Peter Gzowski, this fellowship provides a $2,000 grant for a Canadian journalist to undertake and publish a literacy project to enhance public understanding, support for, and awareness of, the literacy cause.

Winner: Susan Quinlan, Prairie Post West Newspaper
Susan Quinlan was awarded The Peter Gzowski Life Literacy Fellowship for her editorial proposal about the growing Low German Mennonite community in southern Alberta, and its struggles to access literacy courses. She proposes to tell the stories of these individuals, primarily farm workers, as they face the daily challenge of acquiring English language skills to better manage their new lives.

As part of yesterday’s event, the Toronto skyline glowed as the CN Tower was lit orange to celebrate the life literacy cause, and to commemorate ABC Life Literacy Canada’s 20th anniversary. Over the past 20 years, ABC Life Literacy Canada has achieved tremendous success in improving awareness of adult literacy in Canada.

Canadians can become active participants and join ABC Life Literacy Canada’s vision of a nation where everyone has the literacy skills they need to live a fully engaged life. Support life literacy programs and initiatives with an online donation.

To learn more about literacy and lifelong learning please visit www.abclifeliteracy.ca.

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About ABC Life Literacy Canada:
ABC Life Literacy Canada is a non-profit organization that inspires Canadians to increase their literacy skills. We mobilize business, government and communities to support lifelong learning and achieve our goals through leadership in programs, communications and partnerships. ABC Life Literacy Canada envisions a Canada where everyone has the skills they need to live a fully engaged life. For the latest news and information on adult literacy please visit www.abclifeliteracy.ca, follow us on Twitter or join our Facebook page.

For more information, please contact:
Nadia Flaim, Communications Manager
ABC Life Literacy Canada
Tel: 416 218-0010 x122
nflaim@abclifeliteracy.ca

Ashley Tilley, Communications Co-ordinator
ABC Life Literacy Canada
Tel: 416-218-0010, ext. 127
atilley@abclifeliteracy.ca