Making a difference

35th Anniversary Special Testimonial

At around the age of 10 my parents divorced. I moved around a lot and ended up going to multiple schools. By the time I was in Grade 7, I was being pushed through the school system and was slipping though the cracks. I was barely making it from grade to grade. I eventually dropped out in Grade 11.

At 24, I found myself divorced and a single parent in desperate need of the education that had eluded me for so long. I was unemployed. My academic skills were very limited and my self confidence was none existent. The realization that I would have to return to school was a rather frightening thought. In that moment it had dawned on me that there was a familiarity about all this.

It is then that I remembered watching my mother’s struggle in returning to school. What had helped her get started was a place called the READ Society. It was a place for those that greatly lacked in academic skills and those that had been out of the school system for many years.

So in 1993 with the help and patience of the teachers and staff at the READ Society, I had raised my academic skills to a level that enabled me to go on to Camosun College and finish up my Grade 12. From there I became a certified Heath Care Worker. My plans are to finish up my Community Support work and continue to work with the homeless. Next year my plans are to volunteer overseas.

All this is thanks to the READ Society that helped me gain the confidence to go further than I thought possible. My mother was the inspiration, READ was the foundation – both helped me go onto gain an education. I believe it is crucial it is have systems such as the READ Society.

I am very happily married now and a grandmother of one.

- Carolann Szita, October 2011

“READ rocks!” is how my son responds when asked what he thinks of the READ Society.

Since attending sessions with the READ teacher, my son’s self-confidence has hugely increased. He is now willing to take risks with his learning in his classroom – working more independently, volunteering to ask questions. My son is learning the strategies he needs to be successful with this schoolwork and most importantly he is able to see his own progress which further encourages his learning. All that from two hours-a-week with the READ Society!

Not only is my son gaining the skills to be successful academically, he is strengthening his self confidence that will carry him throughout life. And I know that when he is older, my son will reflect upon his time with the READ Society and know that is where he learned his success strategies.

As a mom, seeing my son grow through his time with the READ Society is invaluable and I recommend the READ Society to anyone who will listen. I know that enrolling my son with the READ Society has been one of the best things I could do for my child with his learning.

- Keely Conley

Quick Quotes

As part of our quality assurance process, we conduct interviews with some parents to check how well we are serving their needs. Here is a selection of the feedback we have received recently:

“We have seen substantial improvements in our child’s writing and math – gone from a C- to a B.”
“She is getting a firm grasp on the elements of the English language.”
“Pronunciation is much better.”
“Our daughter recognizes herself that coming to READ is helpful.”
“It has been a really positive experience.”
“His letter recognition has gone up extremely.”
“Her (school) teacher has noticed a big difference.”
“He really enjoys coming.”
“Helpful, friendly staff.”
“It’s fabulous that tuition assistance is available. We couldn’t do it otherwise.”
“I thought my children would just have to struggle through school. I was so relieved to find READ.”

If READ has made a difference in your life, we would love to include your testimonial on our website. Please email us.