News Release30 October 2008 For Immediate Release Local literacy society gets a helping hand from Canada World YouthThe READ Society will be making a smooth transition to its new Quadra Village location with help from 18 youth from Ukraine and across Canada. Canada World Youth participants are working beside READ staff to unpack and shelve the organization’s boxes of books and teaching materials. The Canada World Youth volunteers will spend four hours – giving up the better part of their Saturday – to aid READ staff on November 2, 2008 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. “We are delighted that the youth from across Canada and Ukraine are able to share their energy and enthusiasm with READ. Their extra help means our students won’t have their learning interrupted,” says READ’s executive director Claire Rettie. Canada World Youth offers international education programs for youths (ages 17 to 29) which focus on volunteer work and community development in a cross-cultural setting. "Cultural literacy is fundamental to the success of pluralistic societies. Canada World Youth is a federally-funded program that fosters the development of engaged global citizens, so working alongside The READ Society team, gleaning whatever knowledge they can, is a privilege for the participants," says Khan Bawa, a project supervisor for Canada World Youth. Canada World Youth programs last six to seven months during which participants spend half their time in a Canadian community and the other half in a community in Asia, Africa, Eastern Europe, Latin America or the Caribbean. During the program, youth live with host families and volunteer in community organizations or small businesses. The Canadian International Development Agency helps fund the program. “It’s a wonderful fit in terms of language, literacy and learning,” says Rettie. The READ Society’s new office at 201-2631 Quadra St. will be open and ready for business and teaching on Monday, November 3, 2008. READ, a non-profit, community-based organization has been working with children, youth and adults to improve their literacy, numeracy and basic skills since 1976 -- over three decades. This new space allows READ to combine its administrative, Douglas and Burnside teaching activities in one space. READ will continue to hold classes in Colwood, Fairfield and Sidney. For more information or to arrange a photo opportunity, please contact: Claire Rettie, MA, Executive Director, Khan Bawa,
Project Supervisor |
