Literature for Life celebrates the legacy Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
It all began after hearing a lecture on Mahatma Gandhi and the non-violent civil disobedience campaign that he used successfully against British rule in India.
Over the next few months, King read several books on the ideas of Gandhi, and eventually became convinced that the same methods could be employed by black people to obtain civil rights in America.
He was particularly struck by Gandhi’s words: “Through our pain we will make them see their injustice”.
Dr. King’s inspiration began with a story, which led him to a book, where words inspired him to become the icon hero he is today. (more…)
Literature for Life Joins Kobo’s Trillion Minute Reading Challenge!
Kobo has started a $10 Million Dollar Fund to support and promote reading!
For every 10 Million minutes read with Kobo up to 1 Trillion Minutes, they will support a school, group or organization that focuses on literacy and a passion for reading.
Let Kobo know Literature for Life demonstrates a passion and commitment to reading in the Toronto community and we might just be the recipient of an eReading program from Kobo including eReaders and eBooks!
How cool is that!
Join the Reading Revolution and Support Literature for Life with a nomination in the One Trillion Minute Reading Challenge today!
The Gift of Reading
Here at Literature for Life, we know the key to a child’s success in school is the mother’s love of reading and learning.
Our programs are effective in showing young moms how to create a family culture of literacy through reading; the gift that keeps giving.
Since 2000, we’ve distributed more than 20,000 books through our unique programming.
In doing this, we support young mothers in their roles as their child’s first teacher by helping them build family libraries for themselves and their children to enjoy.
Join us in Giving the Gift of Reading this Holiday Season!
Here are 3 ways you can help:
1. Purchase Holiday Gifts with Amazon.ca
Purchase your book and gift orders via www.literatureforlife.org and Amazon will donate a percentage of your total purchases to Literature for Life!
2. Direct your United Way Workplace Contributions to Literature Life
It’s easy. Choose the option “Yes” to designate your contributions and name Literature for Life as your Charity of Choice!
3. Make a committed Monthly Donation
Choose the Donate Now button on our website, and select the amount you’d like to donate to Literature for Life each month! You can also call us!
I am dreams
I am hope
I am possibilities
I am visions of my future
I am dreams
- Anitz Bristol
Wishing you all the best dreams for the Holiday Season and a New Year filled with possibilities.
Literature for Life’s 3rd Annual Black White & Read All Over
A Photo Documentary by Amber King
A special thank you to all those who attended and supported Literature for Life’s 3rd Annual Black White & Read All Over.
On October 26, 2011, guests gathered at the RBC Plaza to celebrate 11 years of Literature for Life Reading Circle programming and the unleashing of intellectual potential.
Matt Galloway Interviews Jo Altilia on CBC’s Metro Morning
Matt Galloway Interviews Literature for Life's Jo Altilia
On Monday September 26, 2011 at 8:20am, Matt Galloway sat down with founding Executive Director of Literature for Life, Jo Altilia to discuss the charity’s involvement with the TD Canadian Children’s Literature Awards and the missions of the Literature for Life organization.
Jo discusses Literature for Life's involvement in the TD Children's Literature Awards
This Saturday, you will have a chance to meet children from the Literature for Life Chalkfarm Reading Circle. They are taking part in CBC Radio’s TD Kids Book Club. The students will be at the CBC Studios as part of this Saturday’s Open House in Glenn Gould Studio, along with children’s author, Alma Fullerton, to discuss her book, “Burn”.
Click the link to hear the interview: Jo Altilia LIVE on CBC’s Metro Morning
WORDS:a celebration of live music, spoken word & literature featuring Juno award-winning K-OS (DJ Set)
Literature for Life | Gingerich Group | Kobo
Present:
WORDS
Spoken Word Poetry | Silent Auction | Live Music
Thursday, July 28th, 2011
8:30pm – 2:00am
C Lounge – 456 Wellington St. W
Words mean more than what is set down on paper. It takes the human voice to infuse them with deeper meaning-
Funds raised will benefit Literature for Life, to support our core programming for young, marginalized mothers in the GTA and their children.
Check under the hood WORDS event highlights: (more…)
Womenz Wordz presents “Holla!”
Womenz Wordz, a Literature for Life project presents the launch of their debut anthology, “HOLLA!”, a powerful collection of wordz from fresh new voices blowing up Toronto’s poetix scene.
Featuring Literature for Life’s program participants; young women hailing from 1900 Sheppard and Women Moving Forward, came together to drop their wordz on the mic for one night only at Toronto’s legendary bookstore, A Different Booklist!
The night was hosted by Motion with featured performances by:
Amber King
Roots Kizzy
Whitney French
Miss Cola
Shanae Smith
Rochelle David
Niki Roberge
Makida Jones
and more!
The cost of the Womenz Wordz Holla! Anthology is $5 and is currently available at A Different Booklist.
Keep visiting us and the Womenz Wordz Blog for excerpts from Holla!
Photos by Amber
Additional Information:
http://www.womenzwordz.wordpress.com/
http://www.literatureforlife.org/
http://www.adifferentbooklist.com/
Literature for Life to Roy Thomson Hall to hear Dr. Maya Angelou Speak Live
Dr. Maya Angelou’s words have been a source of inspiration and encouragement for millions of people around the world. It’s no 
wonder that Dr. Maya Angelou’s work has always been favoured by Literature for Life and included within our programming. Our program participants have been particularly inspired by her poems, “Phenomenal Woman” and “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings”.
Thanks to an anonymous donation, tickets have been provided to hear Dr. Maya Angelou speak at Roy Thomson Hall this evening. A poet, playwright, producer, director, conductor, actor, best-selling author, social activist and 3 time Grammy winner, she has a lot of knowledge and wisdom to offer the world and the Literature for Life organization from the program participants to the members of our board.
It will be an unforgettable evening.
Here is a poem written by a Humewood House, Literature for Life program participant that was inspired by a recital of Dr. Maya Angleou’s poem “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings”:
I know why the caged bird sings
The caged bird sings unhappily.
The caged bird mind is uneasy.
The caged bird doesn’t understand his place.
The caged bird doesn’t want to be here anymore.
The caged bird wants to know his punishment; he wants to know his crime.
The caged bird doesn’t speak; he just lets out a small cry.
The other birds can’t hear him, because they’re too busy being free.
Far from the apartment walls, and stores beneath.
It refuses to eat and entertain, and his owner says he’s gotten sick;
And his time has come and gone,
A replacement is made, and no one ever knew what was wrong.
Carlene D.
May 5, 2011
New Study Shows ‘A Mother is a Child’s FIRST Teacher’
Literature for Life’s core belief is that a Mother is her child’s first teacher. A new study supports this belief and shows why Literature for Life’s programming is effective in educating two generations for the price of one.
Infants give mother tongue new meaning
ANNE McILROY — SCIENCE REPORTER
From Friday’s Globe and Mail
Published Thursday, Dec. 16, 2010
The newborns slept peacefully, cradled in the arms of their mothers, while researchers gently attached 128 electrodes to their tiny heads. Each infant then heard two recordings, one of their mom pronouncing a single syllable and one of a female nurse making the same sound. But the reaction in their brains – as recorded by the electrodes – was completely different, scientists at the University of Montreal discovered.
Continue reading the article here:
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/health/infants-give-mother-tongue-new-meaning/article1841469/
Teen Mothers participate in Univ. of Windsor Study
At Literature for Life, we are always interested in articles that support our missions, visions, and values in which we promote the benefits of reading and family literacy. Our approach begins with young mothers who are pregnant and parenting with the core belief that a Mother is her childs first teacher. The following article highlights a study being conducted on Teenage Mothers based on the belief that there is need for teen pregnancy prevention because of the consequences that can affect both mother and child. Literature for Life takes a special interest in preventative measures for the children of these young mothers. Through our one of a kind reading circles we and help young families realize that preparation for a successful future begins with Mom as their child’s primary care giver and it begings with literacy.
Excerpts: Are impulsive teen girls more likely to have a baby?
ZOSIA BIELSKI
From Monday’s (Jan. 3 2011) Globe and Mail
Dr. Carlin Miller, an associate professor in the psychology department and the University of Windsor is conducting a study on teen pregnancy to determine if impulsive girls are at a greater risk of becoming pregnant.
“Girls who become pregnant as teens or in very early adulthood- 20 ir 21- are far more impulsive, ont only in
their own behaviours but also in their parenting styles. And their children have the worst outcomes.”
In the Globe and Mail article, Dr. Miller said, “Prevention is important, because teen pregnancies can lead to poor outcomes for both mother and child.”
“Consequences extend into the long term…moms are less likely to finish high school, more likely to live in poverty, be unemployed and involved in domestically abusive situation. The children of teen moms are more likely to become teen parents themselves.”
To read the full article click here: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/family-and-relationships/are-impulsive-teen-girls-more-likely-to-have-a-baby/article1854679/