Their stories are compelling, their dedication unparalleled, the results amazingÔÇôthey are the winners of the 2005 Canada Post Literacy Awards. Announced today, the 34 individuals and groups honoured with this yearÔÇÖs awards showcase the importance of literacy skills for all Canadians. Winners of the 13th annual Canada Post Literacy Awards will be recognized at provincial ceremonies in September and October.
From the Centre for Family LiteracyÔÇÖs (Edmonton, AB) Classroom On Wheels storybook bus (a bookmobile painted like a Holstein cow), to Constance MorganÔÇÖs (Barrie, ON) efforts to ÔÇ£CanadianizeÔÇØ a recognized literacy trainerÔÇÖs handbook, the 2005 Canada Post Literacy Award winners in the community and educator categories have found unique and interesting ways to inspire and motivate their students. As a result, literacy students like Nova ScotiaÔÇÖs Ernie Cotter and QuebecÔÇÖs Marie B├®lair, have discovered the joy of reading a book and the pride and peace of mind that comes from helping their children with homework or knowing that they can follow instructions on a prescription bottle. ÔÇ£These initiatives and successes are what the Canada Post Literacy Awards celebrate,ÔÇØ said Bob Waite, senior vice-president of Communications at Canada Post. ÔÇ£This company is proud to recognize the achievements of each learner and the dedication of people, many of them volunteers, who helped them along the way.ÔÇØ
VancouverÔÇÖs Generation Y project, managed by Brookfield LePage Johnson Controls ÔÇô Workplace Solutions, Inc., is this yearÔÇÖs Business Leadership winner. This Project combines literacy and diversity initiatives in an employee-driven program to help troubled youth, by offering them a 35-hour paid work and literacy week that includes on-the-job experience and classroom sessions. Through Generation Y, young people on the fringe improve their literacy skills, develop confidence and gain an opportunity to find a meaningful place in society. Generation Y will receive their Canada Post Literacy Award at the Annual General Meeting of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce.
Winners in the Individual Achievement and Educator categories receive a computer and Community Leadership winners are awarded a $2,000 cash prize. A full list of Literacy Award winners can be found at www.canadapost.ca/literacyawards.
For further information, or to arrange an interview with a Literacy Award winner in your area, media should contact the Canada Post Communications office nearest them.
Halifax: (902) 494-4074
Qu├®bec: (418) 694-3161
Montr├®al: (514) 345-4569
Ottawa: (613) 734-2811
Toronto: (905) 214-9391
London: (519) 457-5208
Edmonton: (780) 944-3137
Vancouver: (604) 662-1388