“There is something other worldly about what books do to us”: Guest Post by LFL Facilitator Teneile Warren
We have all seen that moment in the cartoon where Wiley Coyote is going full speed ahead across the mountain because he has somewhere to be. On the first day of my LFL journey I was Wiley Coyote. Or so I thought. In the cartoon, Wiley’s speed is in his legs, a completely self-sufficient, super fast coyote. My speed of movement is dependent on the efficiency of the TTC. Sigh! My speedy feet were now hoping to at least be equated with ‘the little engine that could’. But where there is determination and perseverance, there is success. I arrive at Women Moving Forward with five minutes to spare.
There is a room bursting at the seams with energy, active voices and infectious anticipation. This helps to immediately cut the nerves one carries with them into a first time meeting. There are few moments in life as unsettling as making a first impression. However, the beautiful impression that was made on me washed away my fears and opened the door for calm and collected communication. As a keen observer, my eyes move through the room, tracing the faces, the movements, trying to see the thoughts ruminating in their minds. I witness trepidation, excitement, neutrality and uncertainty.
After completing the paperwork we dive right in to the experience of reading The Coldest Winter ever by Sister Souljah. It takes little to no time to get them involved and soon they are chomping at the bit to read. As we go through the first chapter, we laugh, we relate and we question each others interpretations of the story being told to us. There is something other worldly about what books do to us. They give us the confidence to be free with our thoughts. Books are our escape route or entry way; they are anything we want them to be. Over the next four months we will travel together on a literary journey. Sister Souljah is the pilot, I am the first captain but this group of engaging women called the Red Spotted Purples decide the final destination. Let’s go!
Teneile Warren is a Jamaica-born writer, director, poet, and all around artist. She has been writing, directing and performing in monologues and plays for almost ten years. Warren has also contributed significantly to Jamaica’s radio, television and film industries as a writer, producer and director. If she’s not writing, she’s cooking or thinking of something to write or cook and if she’s not doing either of those, she’s learning. She is a recipient of the National Honour of a Jamaica Creative Writing Award and just completed the commissioned piece Look Ahead: A Musical as a part Jamaica’s 50th year of Independence celebrations.
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
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.
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.
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
Children’s Story
CHILDREN’S STORY
There once was a princess named Li-Li
Princess Li-Li had a problem.
She used to cry for everything.
She cries in the morning
She cries in the night
She cries even when she’s sleeping
She cries all the time.
She cried so much her friends didn’t want to play with her anymore.
Princess Li-Li didn’t know what to do.
She went to the queen and said…
“Mommy, none of my friends want to talk to me. Why?” as she cried.
“It’s because you cry way too much. Instead of crying, use your words.”
Princess Li-Li took her advice and instead of crying she used her words
and everything was good again with Princess Li-Li.
by Makida, Literature for Life Participant 2011
From the anthology Holla
Literature for Life’s Meet & Greet with Sister Souljah.
Join Literature for Life as we host our reading circle programming participants at the Sister Souljah launch and special presentation for her new book Midnight and the Meaning of Love!
Sister Souljah is the author of The Coldest Winter Ever, Literature for Life’s book of entry, offered within the reading circle programming. Since Literature for Life’s inception in 2000, the organization has ordered over 1200 copies of The Coldest Winter Ever, as well as copies of another Sister Souljah book, Midnight.
The Coldest Winter Ever by Sister Souljah ever has provided Literature for Life programming participants with a fast-moving, reality-based plot that instantly grabs the attention of the reader as they follow Winter, the book’s main character, through the tough streets of Brooklyn in the 1980s.
Through the narrative we are able to evaluate the role of a mother through Winter’s nameless mother figure. Other themes discussed within our reading circle groups are personal responsibilities, the value of asking for assistance, attributes of a friend, substance abuse, fatherless households, and much more.
Literature for Life is thrilled to finally meet Sister Souljah. The young women we support are equally as thrilled to meet her and to have a chance to have their books signed.
For media inquiries please contact: Tamara Shelly 416-203-9830 x 2
Stay tuned for photos and more about Literature for Life’s Meet & Greet with Sister Souljah.
Fundraiser Dj’d by Juno- Award- winning artist K-os raises $21 000 to Facilitate Literature for Life Reading Circles
Photos courtesy of Ryan Emberley for www.thecdaily.com, Spiro Mandylor for www.itsallstyletome.com, and Melissa Curry
Over 500 patrons gathered at the spa-inspired venue C Lounge on July 28th, 2011 for “Words;” a fundraiser celebrating the power of words and literature presented by Kobo and Hamilton Watches to benefit Toronto charity Literature for Life.
Hosted by Literature for Life, Lauren Shirreffs, and The Gingerich Group, the evening featured a lineup of crowd favorites including spoken word poetry by Dwayne Morgan and Jelani “Jwyze” Nias, and live music by Andria Symaniw, Mike Celia and Don Cash.
All performances were introduced by CBC News Toronto co-host, Dwight Drummond and were followed by the highly anticipated dj set orchestrated by Juno Award- winning artist K-os.
Drummond answered the call for his support by saying “Literacy and a single mom played very important roles in my life, so I’ll be there.” Co-host Anne-Marie Mediwake also took to the stage to lend support for the cause.
Named as one of the weekends can’t miss events in NOW Magazines Big 3, the long- weekend, bbq themed party with a purpose, accessorized with cotton – candy and popcorn machines, a photo booth, rose petals, tea lights and cupcakes raised $21, 000 with popular installations that included, a silent auction, raffle and live fashion art sketches by acclaimed fine artist Becky Dileo.
All proceeds will go towards Literature for Life’s unique reading circle programming that unleashes the intellectual potential of marginalized young mothers by helping them discover the joys and benefits of reading and learning.
For pictures of the WORDS event including the red carpet check out the Events section of LiteratureforLife.org
Stay tuned for more pictures and footage from WORDS and dont forget to join our Facebook page!
For more information please contact: Tamara Shelly, 416 203 9830 x 2 tshelly@literatureforlife.org
Spider’s Web launch in the news!
Lit for Life's Jo Altilia in the ring.
Spider Jones’ Youth Empowerment Initiative launched in the Chalkfarm neighbourhood last week, and Literature for Life was proud to be there along with him inside the ring. The launch was covered by The Toronto Star and CTV.
More from The Toronto Star:
“…in addition to basketball, Jones’ initiative will seek to provide youth with other activities like boxing, broadcast skills and literacy programs that encourage children to learn.
The Youth Empowerment Initiative is a pilot program that will also provide youth in Ward 7 with computer training and other mentoring programs. It has already helped provide the Chalkfarm neighbourhood with a swimming pool and a community centre.
Other organizations involved include Doorsteps Neighbourhood Services, Greenwin Inc., TD and Literature for Life.
For Jones, the desire to empower youth comes from personal experience. In 2006, he told the Toronto Star how fearful he was as a young kid, and called low self-esteem the “number 1 predator of our children today.”
“It steals your confidence away. It steals your joy. It steals your aspirations. It fills you with self-hatred. It fills you with doubt,” he said.”
The beginning of a new paradigm for Toronto’s most vulnerable communities
From news release: On Thursday June 23 at 12:00PM, Spider Jones and his Believe to Achieve Organization join TD, Greenwin Inc., Doorsteps Neighbourhood Services and Literature for Life to launch Spider’s Web Youth Empowerment Initiative, and a community basketball court sponsored by TD.
This pilot project, headquartered at 160 Chalkfarm Drive in Toronto with day to day operation being supervised by Doorsteps Neighbourhood Services, will offer underserved youth in Ward 7 a safe haven where they can learn the skills necessary to overcoming adversity through boxing, computer training and mentoring. Literature for Life will provide a literacy program encouraging children to read and participate in learning.
Motivational speaker/journalist, Spider “Chuck” Jones will be joined by a TD representative, as well as Kevin Green, President of Greenwin Inc. and Ward 7 City Councillor, Giorgio Mammoliti to launch the initiative, which will ultimately cater to all Ward 7 youth.
“We need to engage our children in these turbulent times and teach them how to make the right choices and deal with peer pressure,” says Jones. “Education is the liberator of all. It’s not where you come from in life; it’s where you’re going that counts.”
Adds Councillor Mammoliti: “This is a great example of how the private sector has stepped up to the plate to support a community in need. My vision for the future of the community I represent and neighbourhoods throughout our city is to have the public and private sector work together to deliver these types of programs in underserviced areas.”
“With the swimming pool, community centre and now, the basketball court, literacy and mentorship program, this site has become a community hub,” says Green. “That’s been the goal from the start.”
“Literature for Life is pleased to be involved with Greenwin properties, TD Bank, The Spider Jones Believe to Achieve Foundation and Doorsteps Community Services to support the literacy component of this project. Each partner brings a unique piece to the project and together we are working to keep the community engaged in positive social change.” says Jo Altilia, Founder and Executive Director of Literature for Life.
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A note from Literature for Life: This new private and public sector partnership has evolved to change a community. Chalkfarm is notorious for being in need of social change as captured in an article published by the Toronto Star in the Winter of 2011. This partnership is the beginning of a new paradigm for Toronto’s most vulnerable communities!
This partnership is interesting as the current political climate has highlighted the need for such collaborations with recent discussions of privatization and the need for social change to curb violence among the youth. The positive social impacts are numerous.
Another noteworthy aspect is the value of education outside of the classroom that is promoted within this initiative.
Literature for Life, will conduct the literacy programming within this partnership using their unique reading circles that often includes Hip-Hop literature by authors Tracy Brown (White Lines) and Sister Souljah (The Coldest Winter Ever, Midnight).
With an office located within the Centre of Social Innovation , Executive Director, Jo Altilia is aware of the positive social outcomes when public and private sectors work together. Partnerships with book publishers has enabled the Toronto-based charity to sucessfully promote the benefits of reading and literacy to marginalized individuals and communities using literature as a tool to break the cycle of poverty.