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 6:58PM EST
Last updated Thursday, Dec. 16, 2010 7:06PM EST
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/
December 1st is National Volunteer Day!
Volunteer with Literature for Life!
*Literature for Life staff and volunteer at Word on the Street Festival September 26, 2010
In 1985, the United Nations General Assembly established International Volunteer Day (IVD) to commemorate the contributions and dedication of volunteers around the world. http://www.worldvolunteerweb.org/intl-vol-day.html
In addition to its important message, this year International Volunteer Day marks the kick off for the International Year of the Volunteer + 10 (IYV+10). Ten years later, the great work of promoting the great work that volunteers do continues!
http://www.worldvolunteerweb.org/fileadmin/photodb/IYV_10/IYV%28plus%2910%20Brochure.pdf
Each year, Literature for Life posts several volunteer opportunities on VolunteerToronto.ca and CharityVillage.ca.
These opportunities include, Fundraising, Special Events, Public Relations, Project Management, Grant Writing and more.
If you would like to learn about these opportunities in advance and be contacted directly please email your contact information :
No phone calls please.
Literature for Life’s Meet & Greet Pictures!
Thank you to all who attended!
Literature for Life’s Meet & Greet
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
We’ve moved!
This past September, Literature for Life joined the community within the Centre of Social Innovation located at 215 Spadina Avenue after 6 years at our former offices located at Labatt Avenue.
We formally introduced ourselves to our CSI neighbours and had a house warming with our old friends in the 120 Suites of The Centre of Social Innovation in “The Connector Room” on Wednesday, December 8, 2010.
There, visitors learned more about the Literature for Life charity and met the board and staff including founder and Executive Director, Jo Altilia, recently named as one of ‘Toronto’s Vital People’ by the Toronto Community Foundation.
Thank you to all who were able to attend!
Special thanks to Arlene Duncan, Brenda Clarke, Hazel Sam Noelle Richardson and Rosanna Tanti.
Extra Special Thanks to our sponsors:
- Wanda’s Pie in the Sky
- Mr. Sub
- Pizzaiolo
- Fresh Restaurants
- Terry O’ Reilly
- and Metro
Congrats to the winner of our Fresh Gift Bag – Nicole Snape! And the winners of a signed of Terry O’ Reilly’s The Age of Persuasion - Nick and Mayaan!
For more information contact Tamara Shelly: tshelly@literatureforlife.org 416-203-9830 x 2
Literature for Life Thanks You!
Landmark year, landmark celebration!
Thank you for your generosity and support in celebrating 10 years of Family Literacy with Literature for Life on November 10th, 2010 at the RBC Plaza with our annual fundraiser Black White & Read All Over.
It was fun to see many of those present in the event theme colours, black, white and red, while enjoying delicious food and drink provided by venue sponsor RBC.
The evening’s event was hosted by Andria Case who along with pianist JD Keys, entertained the crowd as we honoured Chief Diversity Officer for the Ontario Public Service, Noёlle Richardson. Thanking her for years of support as an advisor to the Literature for Life Board.
The address made by our keynote speaker, Terry O’ Reilly on the topic of “The Power of Storytelling” highlighted the influence stories have in our lives.
And let us not forget the demonstration of just how powerful words can be with the insight displayed within the spoken word poetry of Literature for Life’s program participants, Dahlia Eagle- Ellis, Michelle Vogn, Roots K, and MsCola.
Together we raised $45, 000!
We would like to thank you for supporting Literature for another year…
Literature for Life Documentary Screening Fundraiser Benefit
Resilience Toronto Community Screening
Storyline Entertainment is thrilled to announce the Toronto community screening of Resilience: Stories of Single Black Mothers, directed by Lana Lovell, on Saturday October 23rd, 2010.
This event will benefit Literature For Life, a non-profit organization that works to empower at-risk teenage mothers through literature.
A panel discussion will follow the film. Panelists include :
Nancy Blades – social work manager and documentary participant
Dalton Higgins – author of Hip Hop World and facilitator who works to promote positive fathering in the African-Canadian community
Wendy Komiotis – Executive Director of METRAC, an organization that works to eliminate violence against diverse women, youth and children
Director Lana Lovell
Please stay afterwards to celebrate the completion of the film at the reception!
Resilience: Stories of Single Black Mothers
Film screening and panel discussion Fundraiser for Literature for Life
Sat Oct 23, 7 pm Innis Town Hall
2 Sussex Ave.
(near the intersection of St. George & Bloor, and close to the St. George suway station)
Admission fee $10 or Pay What You Can
Doors will open at 6:30 pm
Screening and panel discussion to be followed by a reception- all are welcome!
www.resiliencedocumentary.com
www.literatureforlife.org
Literature for Life presents Black White & Read All Over
Literature for Life presents invites you to our premiere fundraising event…
Black White and Read All Over
Who: Literature for Life
What: Black White & Read All Over ~ A Fundraising Event
Where: RBC Plaza 200 Bay St. Toronto, ON M5J 1E3
Why: Celebrating 10 years of Supporting Young Mothers
When: November 10, 2010 @ 7pm
Save November 10th to celebrate Literature for Life’s 10th year empowering young mothers!
Join keynote speaker Terry O’Reilly host of CBC’s Age of Persuasion
CTV Newscaster Andria Case and Noelle Richardson, Chief Diversity Officer
for the Ontario Public Service to commemorate this milestone.
In the past ten years Literature for Life has touched 1700 young women
and their children and given them 20,000 books.
This years event will be held at the RBC South Tower, 40th Floor, 200
Bay Street. Food and Beverage will be provided and sponsored by RBC.
Tickets cost $100 and availablefor sale on our site below.
Tax receipts will be issued.
If you are unable to attend and wish to donate the cost of a ticket to
Literature for Life so one of our program participants can attend please go to address your cheque to Literature for Life and mail to:
Literature for Life
215 Spadina Ave. #169
Toronto, ON
M5T 2C7
or donate through the Canada Helps link located on our site.
Literature for Life is still accepting sponsors for the premier fundraising event Black White and Read All Over !
To get involved please view the Black White and Read Sponsorship package below:
Black White and Read All Over Sponsorship Package
Please note: Ticket purchases through our online application are currently available but the confirmation message is currently unavailable. All transactions are processed and an email confirmation with a confirmation number will be sent to you from IATS shortly thereafter.
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Book Drive Helps to Build Bright Futures $1 at a Time
Literature for Life’s Summer $1 Book Sale Raises Over $1000 to Support Program Participants.
Literature for Life’s Annual Summer $1 Book Sale was a success, raising over $1000 with the sale of books of all titles and genres.
This year’s book sale was held in the young, vibrant, family concentrated area of midtown Toronto on Sunday August 15th 2010 between 9am-1pm at 28 Glengrove Ave W. Toronto, ON.
Professional storyteller Pat Bisset was in attendance along with Frontier College Reading Tent coordinator Karla Werner, who engaged families with stories. Literature for Life supporter, Councillor Karen Stintz was also in attendance with her family.
Like many other not-for-profit, charitable organizations, Literature for Life’s programming is dependent on fundraising initiatives and private donations to keep their mandate and vision alive.
- $100 provides facilitator supplies for Women with Words Reading Circles
- $300 provides journals for Women with Words Reading Circles
- $500 supports a young mother and her child in the reading circle
- $1000 provides books for one month
- $11 000 supports the Women with Words reading circle for one year.
Proceeds of the book sale contribute to Literature for Life programming that benefits young mothers aged 14-29 and their children. Based on the belief of mother as a child’s first teacher, Literature for Life’s programs assist lone parent young mothers to increase literacy and social skills plus develop the capacity necessary to be employed, self sufficient and to be effective parents. Strengthening families one book at a time, Literature for Life’s innovative programming has contributed to bridging the gap between rich and poor for over 1,700 young women and over 2,200 children living in poverty in Toronto. The organization has distributed over 22, 000 books to young mothers and children.
About Literature for Life
By promoting the benefits of literacy and the wonders of reading, Literature for Life empowers young women to expand their destinies beyond the tired clichés of teenage motherhood. Each week Literature for Life meets with these women- pregnant and parenting teenagers at shelters and parenting centres across the city of Toronto with trained facilitators to read and discuss novels together. The organization was founded by Jo Altillia who was recently recognized as one of Toronto’s “Vital People” by the Toronto Community Foundation.
For more information on Literature for Life events or donations please visit our website: www.literatureforlife.org or contact PR Development Assistant Tamara Shelly:
Tamara Shelly
PR Development Assistant
416-203-9830
Send us your Facebook and Twitter account names and we will add you to our networks keeping you up to date on Literature for Life events like the Annual Summer $1 Book Sale!Click to watch the slideshow below:
Literature for Life’s Annual Summer $1 Book Sale
Summer Book Sale Builds Bright Future for Young Mothers
Proceeds of Literature for Life’s Midtown Summer Book Sale Benefits Literacy Program Participants.
Toronto, ON - Each year, registered charitable organization, Literature for Life hosts its annual book sale. This year, over 1000 books of all titles and genres will be sold at only $1 each with proceeds of the book sale contributing to Literature for Life programming that benefits young mothers aged 14-29 and their children. Based on the belief of mother as child’s first teacher, Literature for Life’s programs assist lone parent young mothers to increase literacy and social skills plus develop the capacity necessary to be employed, self sufficient and to be effective parents.
This year’s book sale it will be held in the young, vibrant, family concentrated area of midtown Toronto on Sunday August 15th 2010 between 9am-1pm at 28 Glengrove Ave W. Toronto, ON. Rain or Shine. Print a copy of Literature for Life’s $1 Book Sale flyer to redeem a FREE book August 15th!
Major intersection: Yonge and Lawrence (more…)
Inspiration
Literature for Life decided to post some songs that focus on teen pregnancy/motherhood. Some are inspirational, while others discuss the trials, tribulations, and struggle teens mom go through. I hope you enjoy them!
Songs
Runaway Love- Ludacris feat. Mary J. Bliege
You’re Gonna Be- Reba Mcentire
All I Got is You- Ghostface Killah feat. Mary J. Bliege
New Issue is out now!
Hey readers, our new issue is out now! Winter 2010 is our first issue in FULL colour, exploring some diverse themes. Read about Relationship Abuse, Resources for Parenting Multiples, as well as poetry, reviews, and stories written by young parents. To order an issue, or subscribe to the magazine, head over to our subscription page.