Support Literacy BC
At Literacy BC we are committed to ensuring that all British Columbians have access to the education they need to get jobs, take care of their families and participate fully in their communities. To make that happen, we need your help. Funds raised at Literacy & Beyond will help us support and promote literacy in British Columbia, as we have for 20 years. To learn more about Literacy BC, visit our website.
Why Literacy Matters
Each year, Literacy BC awards the PGI Learner Achievement Tribute Award, which honours literacy learners for their academic progress and personal growth. In 2010, Shawn Richards of Nanaimo received this award.
Shawn struggled with learning disabilities as a child, and dropped out of school in grade eight. As an adult, he struggled with addiction. Finally a street nurse helped him access treatment. As part of his recovery, Richards went to Literacy Central Vancouver Island to get help reading books about addiction. Richards says, “I was like a nervous child waiting to talk to a total stranger and ask for help reading books that I hoped would help save my life. I told the tutor coordinator at Literacy Central I was looking for help reading a book on recovering from alcoholism. She was so interested in me. I will never forget her for the kindness she showed me that day.” Richards worked extremely hard to learn. Today, he is attending classes at Vancouver Island University, and working part-time for Canadian Mental Health.
Each learner has a unique story. What joins them all is the recognition of literacy's power to open doors, and allow people to achieve their true potential.
