Women’s Words Give ‘Voice’ to International Women’s Day Art Exhibition
The exhibit is a collaboration of two groups of artists exploring women’s issues in theme with the International Women’s Day (held annually in March).
The Opening Night Party on Wednesday, March 7th, 2012 from 7-11pm at Steam Whistle Gallery will feature spoken word poetry readings from Literature for Life program participants AND a screening of “Women’s Words” a documentary by Anna Piszczkiewicz about charity Literature for Life, and the unique reading circles they facilitate with teenage mothers in the GTA, empowering them to break the cycle of intergenerational poverty.
Literature for Life’s exhibit entitled, “Voices” explores the complicated journey towards women finding their voice in modern times. In this exhibit, women have found a means of expressing their voices, their unique identities, and the many challenging and exciting moments that surround them.
The mixed media presentation is a fusion of art, photography and poetry, speaking to the journey of women, as they move from uncertain and questioning tones of voice, to a war cry in the fight for justice; and all of the voices in between.
The poetry is from an anthology entitled “Holla!’ created by the young mothers who participate in Literature for Life’s Women’s Words Reading Circle groups. The photos and artwork are contributed by many women who are connected with Literature for Life as volunteers, supporters and program participants.
The exhibition entitled Exposed: The Female Perspective highlights female artists of this generation, who are representative of the art movement today. This work shares a common focus by commenting on contemporary art as whole through the female perspective while, emphasizing the significance of process. Putting their most intimate selves on display this group of female artists explore their inner most thoughts, feelings and desires while creating a statement on societal expectations in an unedited and paradoxical movement. The audience is invited to define their own interpretation of these works.
Join Literature for Life for the Opening Night Party Wednesday, March 7th, 2012 from 7-11pm at Steam Whistle Brewing, The Roundhouse, 255 Bremner Blvd. Toronto, ON or visit the brewery during the month of March to see the exhibition.
Admission: FREE with complimentary hors d’oeuvres
*All exhibitions are open free to the public- Monday to Thursday from 12 noon to 6 pm, Friday and Saturday from 11 am -6pm, and Sunday from 11am to 5 pm. Steam Whistle Brewing – The Roundhouse – 255 Bremner Blvd. Toronto. (south of the CN Tower) 416 362 2337 x 246.
Event link: www.steamwhistle.ca/events/eventdetail.php?id=646
Subscribe to Literature for Life’s women-focused, community voice blog, featuring program participant poetry and much more: http://womenzwordz.wordpress.com/
For more information please contact:
Event/Media Contact Gallery Contact
Tamara Shelly Marina Arnaout
Literature for Life Steam Whistle Brewing
416 203 9830 x 2 416 362 2337 x 279
Family Literacy Day
When we support the young mothers taking part in our reading circle programs, we know that we’re reaching two generations at once. A 
mother empowered by her own literacy skills and with an appreciation for books is likely to pass on a love of reading to her child, giving that child the best possible chance for future success. And so we’re happy to be celebrating Family Literacy Day on January 27th, a special event to highlight what goes on in our organization all year long. Click here to learn more about the benefits of early exposure to books and reading.
And here are some excellent family literacy resources:
- Free downloads from ABC Life Literacy Canada with literacy tips and resources
- Tips for reading to babies and children
- How to choose books for babies
- Why read to my baby?
- Great Canadian book recommendations for older kids
- How to read so your kids will listen
The secret lives of books
It’s no secret to us at Literature for Life that books are amazing objects with hidden lives of their own and far-reaching powers. So we are more than a bit in love with “The Joy of Books”, a stop-animation video that was filmed at Toronto’s Type Books and went viral last week. If you haven’t seen it yet, we’re happy to share.
Literature for Life launches a link to Amazon.ca to support Reading Circles
“Books can be dangerous. The best ones should be labeled ‘This could change your life’.” ~Helen Exley
Looking to purchase a special book for the holidays ?
Every book, gift certificate or item you purchase from Amazon.ca through the Literatureforlife.org website generates revenue to support Literature for Life’s Reading Circle Programs.
Between 4%-8.5% of your total purchase will benefit Literature for Life program participants and their children!
Click on the Amazon.ca link and make this holiday special with a gift that keeps on giving by changing many lives.
Jo Altilia
Founding Executive Director
“Undeniably a success”
The Black, White and Read All Over Gala was profiled in the recent issue of Sway Magazine, and declared to be “undeniably a success”. The article quotes Literature for Life Ambassador Roots Kizzy: “I love the movement, I love the cause they’re working for right now. Building healthy women and children is important right now, especially for young Black women. It helped me to be able to interact, to be able to move into networking with women across the city. The writing circle is what helped build up my motivation because I was already writing and I was already performing and needed an outlet to explore different venues different people.”
Literature for Life profiled in Share
Literature for Life has been profiled in Share: Canada’s Largest Ethnic Newspaper. The piece outlines our programming, recaps the successful 3rd annual Black White and Read All Over Gala, and quotes the event’s Honorary Chair, Valerie Pringle:
“This organization is an absolute gem, partly because no one else is doing it and I think because it addresses such an important area of social injustice and it intervenes at such a critical point with young moms and their children and there is such an opportunity there,” said Pringle. “The genius is seeing this and acting and reaching out and making a difference…I think it’s a lovely concept to think of a mother as a child’s first teacher and supporting that mother and giving her the skills, the tools and really the self-esteem as well to move forward and to be able to make a difference and make changes in her own life.”
Literature for Life joins ROM initiative
Literature for Life is thrilled to be included in an exciting new expansion of the Royal Ontario Museum’s free admission program to marginalized community groups.
From Press Release: Effective immediately, the ROM is increasing its program of free admission to marginalized community groups by 50 percent – up to 70,000 free admissions.
Since 2008, the Royal Ontario Museum’s Community Access Network (ROM CAN) has made possible free Museum visits to a wide range of communities and individuals who may not otherwise be able to visit for a variety of reasons. The ROM provides tickets through strategic partnerships with agencies which are best positioned to reach individuals and families who can benefit most, including the Institute for Canadian Citizenship, which provides a gift of ROM admission to new Canadians during citizenship ceremonies every month through its Cultural Access Pass (CAP) program.
The program has been expanded through increased support from existing partners, The United Way and The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids), as well as the addition of new partners, the YMCA and YWCA, which serve families and individuals on fixed incomes as well as new Canadians. Also newly partnered with the ROM are Kids Up Front Foundation Toronto, Literature for Life, The Tim Horton Children’s Foundation and the Youth Challenge Fund – organizations serving at-risk youth, marginalized young people and children from families in need. The ROM has also recently partnered with VIEWS, an organization who supports children who are blind or have low vision and their families, Make a Wish Foundation, serving children with life-threatening medical conditions, and The Centre for Addition and Mental Health (CAMH) serving persons with mental health and addiction problems.
Valerie Pringle profiled in The Women’s Post
Valerie Pringle is profiled in The Women’s Post today discussing her commitment to charities including Literature for Life:
Pringle’s involvement with Literature for Life demonstrates her prioritization of the importance of guidance, a common thread throughout her career. Just as Pringle was guided towards a career in journalism, and now mentors up-and-coming grads, she also supports the guidance Literature for Life offers teenage mothers seeking a better future for themselves and for their children.
Valerie Pringle will serve as Honorary Chair at tomorrow night’s Black White & Read All Over gala. Tickets are available here.
Terry O’Reilly records public service announcement in support of Black White & Read All Over
Broadcaster and friend of Literature for Life Terry O’Reilly has recorded a public service announcement in support of the Black White & Read All Over gala on October 26.The following radio stations have agreed to air the spot on our behalf: CFRB, CHUM, CKIS, CHFI, CFRT, CJCL, CKFM, CFNY, CFXJ, CFZM, CHBM.
Tickets are still available for the event, and can be purchased here on our website.
Literature for Life and CBC Culture Days
The Toronto TD Kids Book Club is a special project that involves Literature for Life programming , facilitated by artist and spoken word poet Jelani Nias (a.k.a. JWyze) and made up of young people from the 
Chalkfarm neighbourhood. On October 1, the club got together as part of the Culture Days Open House at CBC Toronto to discuss the book Burn by Alma Fullerton, and how it relates to their own lives and experiences. Fullerton herself took part in the discussion. Go to the TD Kids Book Corner on the CBC website for more information on the event and to listen to audio clips of the conversation.