Nearly 55,000 kids, parents and caregivers in B.C., including in rural, remote and Indigenous communities, can access family literacy programs to improve their reading skills through the annual Raise-a-Reader campaign Sept. 22-29, 2022.
“Literacy is an essential skill that opens so many doors for children and their families throughout British Columbia, and that’s why I love being able to promote Raise-a-Reader Week,” said Nathan Cullen, Minister of Municipal Affairs. “Contributions to this campaign help support year-round programing for children and their families to engage in reading, playing and other activities that help develop these important skills.”
This year, the B.C. government is donating $500,000 to the yearly Raise-a-Reader campaign to support literacy programs offered through community organizations, public libraries and schools. Postmedia raises money through donations to fund virtual and in-person family literacy programs across B.C. annually.
The Province supports literacy in partnership with Decoda Literacy Solutions, which manages the donations and provides resources such as reading materials, training and funds to help with community-based literacy and learning programs throughout B.C. communities.
“Many individuals support Raise-a-Reader through their work and community groups. We are very appreciative of their commitment to this important program,” said Sandra Lee, executive director, Decoda Literacy Solutions. “The program provides children and families across B.C. with literacy and learning resources.”
Money raised through the campaign reaches children and families through programs, such as one-to-one reading and tutoring programs, story walks, English-language learning and Parent-Child Mother Goose.
During Raise-a-Reader Week, the Vancouver Sun’s print and online editions will feature daily stories that highlight community literacy programs.
“Postmedia’s Raise-a-Reader program remains committed to helping children and families obtain the literacy skills they need to improve their lives,” said Harold Munro, editor-in-chief, Vancouver Sun and The Province. “We thank the provincial government for again supporting the annual campaign with a generous donation that will assist thousands of B.C. residents. We are also extremely grateful for the many contributions from other institutions and our loyal readers.”
Members of the public are invited to visit the Canada Helps website to make a donation to the community of their choice: https://www.canadahelps.org/en/dn/42475
Quick Facts:
More than 700,000 British Columbians have significant challenges with literacy.
Nearly one-half of people aged 16 to 65 have difficulty following instruction manuals, reading health information, understanding newspapers and more.
Since 2017, the Province has invested $3 million in support of Raise-a-Reader literacy programs.
Since 1997, the campaign has generated more than $21 million to support literacy initiatives in the province.
In 2021, 54,566 children, parents and caregivers attended 4,293 family literacy sessions made possible with support from Raise-a-Reader.
TORONTO – Canada’s main stock index was up more than 100 points in late-morning trading, helped by strength in base metal and utility stocks, while U.S. stock markets were mixed.
The S&P/TSX composite index was up 103.40 points at 24,542.48.
In New York, the Dow Jones industrial average was up 192.31 points at 42,932.73. The S&P 500 index was up 7.14 points at 5,822.40, while the Nasdaq composite was down 9.03 points at 18,306.56.
The Canadian dollar traded for 72.61 cents US compared with 72.44 cents US on Tuesday.
The November crude oil contract was down 71 cents at US$69.87 per barrel and the November natural gas contract was down eight cents at US$2.42 per mmBTU.
The December gold contract was up US$7.20 at US$2,686.10 an ounce and the December copper contract was up a penny at US$4.35 a pound.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 16, 2024.
TORONTO – Canada’s main stock index was up more than 200 points in late-morning trading, while U.S. stock markets were also headed higher.
The S&P/TSX composite index was up 205.86 points at 24,508.12.
In New York, the Dow Jones industrial average was up 336.62 points at 42,790.74. The S&P 500 index was up 34.19 points at 5,814.24, while the Nasdaq composite was up 60.27 points at 18.342.32.
The Canadian dollar traded for 72.61 cents US compared with 72.71 cents US on Thursday.
The November crude oil contract was down 15 cents at US$75.70 per barrel and the November natural gas contract was down two cents at US$2.65 per mmBTU.
The December gold contract was down US$29.60 at US$2,668.90 an ounce and the December copper contract was up four cents at US$4.47 a pound.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 11, 2024.
TORONTO – Canada’s main stock index was little changed in late-morning trading as the financial sector fell, but energy and base metal stocks moved higher.
The S&P/TSX composite index was up 0.05 of a point at 24,224.95.
In New York, the Dow Jones industrial average was down 94.31 points at 42,417.69. The S&P 500 index was down 10.91 points at 5,781.13, while the Nasdaq composite was down 29.59 points at 18,262.03.
The Canadian dollar traded for 72.71 cents US compared with 73.05 cents US on Wednesday.
The November crude oil contract was up US$1.69 at US$74.93 per barrel and the November natural gas contract was up a penny at US$2.67 per mmBTU.
The December gold contract was up US$14.70 at US$2,640.70 an ounce and the December copper contract was up two cents at US$4.42 a pound.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 10, 2024.
