The Canada Life Literacy Innovation Award honours innovation in the creation and delivery (or in the development, implementation and delivery) of adult literacy or adult-integrated family literacy programs delivered by a community organization in Canada. The adult-focused literacy program makes a positive contribution to the lives of the participants as well as the community and could serve as a model for other organizations to adapt.
There is one (1) top award of $20,000 and up to four (4) honourable mention awards in the amount of $5,000 each. The awards as granted can be invested into the program and/or applied to operating funds.
Watch the recording of the award ceremony and discussion with the 2021 winners to learn more about the innovative winning programs.
2021 Top Award Winner: Receiving $20,000
Organization:
Pacific Immigrant Resources Society, Vancouver, BC
Program:
Trauma-Informed Community English Class for Immigrant and Refugee Women is designed to meet the needs of immigrant and refugee women with low English levels who are new to Canada, and with low income. Most families have several children and cannot afford childcare, which means that women take care of children at home. The Program aims to provide an environment that is safe, welcoming, and accessible (regardless of immigration status) that addresses women’s needs, with convenient location(s), and childcare to facilitate learning.
This program supports the development of basic and intermediate English for use in community interactions, builds awareness of and connection to available community resources so immigrant and refugee women can learn about, access, and successfully navigate the services they need to address settlement issues. It also aims to foster connections and nurture relationships amongst participants in order to build a sense of community, build cross-cultural awareness, and reduce isolation.
2021 Honourable Mention Winners: Receiving $5,000 each
Organization:
Canada Learning Code, Toronto, ON
Program:
Digital Skills for Entrepreneurship
Organization:
Centre for Family Literacy, Edmonton, AB
Program:
Family Book Club
Organization:
Construction Association of PEI, Charlottetown, PE
Program:
Youth in Trades
Organization:
Project READ Literacy Network, Waterloo-Wellington, Kitchener, ON
Program:
Get Set Learn Family Literacy Peer Program
How To Apply:
The 2021 award is now closed. Thank you to everyone that applied.
Frequently Asked Questions:
About Our Sponsor:
Canada Life has been a major supporter of ABC Life Literacy Canada since 1999. Through their involvement with ABC Life Literacy Canada and other national literacy programs across the country, they are helping promote literacy and lifelong learning – key needs in helping many Canadians realize their potential at work, at home and in the community.
As an Imagine Canada Caring Company, they’ve supported the principles of corporate citizenship and benchmarks for community investment established by Imagine Canada for more than three decades. In this time, they’ve contributed over $200 million in support of Canadian non-profit, charitable and community organizations.