ABC Life Literacy Canada

Family Literacy Day
Family Literacy Day® is a national awareness initiative created by ABC CANADA Literacy Foundation and founding sponsor Honda Canada in 1999, and held on January 27 each year. This special day promotes the importance of reading and engaging in other literacy-related activities as a family. Developing early childhood reading and writing skills helps develop the learning skills necessary for good communication skills later in life, and can ultimately contribute to a child's chances for success. Every year on Family Literacy Day (FLD) thousands of events take place that are coordinated by literacy providers, schools, libraries and individual families across the country. These activities range from fundraisers, book drives and children's reading circles, to literacy-themed contests to family games nights. Last year, more than 120,000 Canadians celebrated by participating in the FLD World Record Attempt. Hundreds of families, schools, literacy organizations, libraries, malls, YMCAs and Oxford Learning Centres hosted events and read the same Robert Munsch book for 30 minutes within a 24-hour time period to try and break a Guinness World Record™. The event was a great success, and Canada surpassed the original record of 78,791!

Q: What is Family Literacy Day?
A: Family Literacy Day is a national awareness initiative created by ABC CANADA Literacy Foundation and Honda Canada in 1999, and held on January 27 each year. This special day promotes the importance of reading and engaging in other literacy-related activities as a family.

Q: Why is family literacy important?
A: Family literacy helps reinforce the importance of learning with children as a means of building the knowledge necessary for future skills, and helps adults maintain their literacy skills.

Q: How is Family Literacy Day celebrated?
A: Every year, Family Literacy Day includes hundreds of activities, coordinated by literacy providers, schools, libraries and local sponsors across the country. These activities range from fundraisers, book drives and children's reading circles, to literacy-themed games and contests. The nice thing about Family Literacy Day is that you don't have to participate in a formal event to be a part of this initiative. Family Literacy Day can be celebrated by simply setting aside 15 minutes of family time to read together, play Scrabble®, write a letter, or even follow a recipe together.

Q: How is Family Literacy Day promoted?
A: Family Literacy Day is promoted through a comprehensive campaign that includes media relations and advertising (print, broadcast, web and alternative media). Along with Founding Sponsor Honda Canada, many media supporters, corporate partners and suppliers have contributed to the development and distribution of over a million promotional materials, including bookmarks, posters, tipsheets, pencils and temporary tattoos.

Q: How do local communities and organizations benefit from Family Literacy Day?
A: Literacy providers have the opportunity to showcase their hard work and achievements on Family Literacy Day. They benefit from increased public awareness and support, and have the opportunity to connect with key influencers in their community. Family Literacy Day is a great time to spread the word about the importance of reading as a daily activity. This initiative also provides the opportunity for families to become aware of literacy programs and learning services available in their community.

Q: Where can people find more information on Family Literacy Day?
A: At www.FamilyLiteracyDay.ca, or contact ABC CANADA Literacy Foundation, the charity responsible for co-ordinating this initiative across Canada. ABC CANADA can be reached by calling 1-800-303-1004, or via e-mail at fld@abc-canada.org. You can also contact your local literacy organization.

Corporate Involvement in Family Literacy Day

Q: How is Family Literacy Day funded?
A: Family Literacy Day is funded through the generous support of founding sponsor Honda Canada, as well as other corporations and organizations that provide financial contributions for the development and production of promotional materials, and donate supplies. In addition, the publishing industry has been a huge contributor to the success of Family Literacy Day. Thanks to the media, millions of Canadians are reached with the family literacy message. Media space is donated for Family Literacy Day ads each year by major publishing chains, newspapers associations, magazines, websites and out-of-home media outlets. Broadcasters also provide time for Family Literacy Day PSAs to run on radio and TV stations across the country.

Q: Why is Honda Canada sponsoring this initiative?
A: It's all part of Honda's corporate philosophy that places an emphasis on giving back to the communities in which Honda has a presence. Honda Canada has been a significant supporter of family literacy for the past 11 years, financing initiatives like the development of Penny's Odyssey, a one-hour made-for-TV movie, and the Honda Space Odyssey Travel Kit, a literacy-themed travel kit distributed as a thank you to Odyssey minivan customers.

Q: How are local Honda Dealers participating in Family Literacy Day?
A: Each Honda dealer across Canada receives a package of FLD tip sheets on family reading and learning, and information pertaining to Family Literacy Day that they can distribute to customers. Many dealers also champion family literacy by sending representatives to local FLD events or even hosting an event of their own.

Q: What other national corporate partners contribute to Family Literacy Day?
A: Oxford Learning has come on for FLD 2009 as the Official FLD World Record Attempt sponsor. They will host several record attempt events at Oxford Learning Centres across the country. Basics Office Products Ltd. and Credit Union Central of Canada are also supporting this initiative by distributing promotional materials in their outlets.

Family Reading

Q: Why is family literacy so important?
A: Developing early childhood reading and writing skills helps develop the learning skills necessary for good communication later in life, and can ultimately contribute to a child's chances for success.

Literacy in Canada

Q: Is literacy such a big issue in Canada? How many people are illiterate?
A: Literacy is a major issue impacting all Canadians. Literacy cannot be defined by whether an individual can read or not. Comprehension and application of what one reads in their everyday life through family and workplace are key indicators. Studies have uncovered that a starling 42% of adult Canadians struggle with low levels of literacy. As the private sector voice championing adult literacy, ABC CANADA is committed to raising awareness of the adult literacy cause. National initiatives like Family Literacy Day help us do just that.

Q: Where can people get more information on statistics surrounding the literacy issue in Canada?
A: People can visit the ABC CANADA website for more information, www.abc-canada.org. They can also visit the National Adult Literacy Database (NALD) website for additional statistical information and gateways to other information sources, www.nald.ca.

* Adult Literacy and Life Skills Survey (Statistics Canada and OECD, 2005)