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 7^th, 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 7^th, 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

tshelly@literatureforlife.org                                                   marina@steamwhistle.ca

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.

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

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.

Literature for Life’s Reading Circle programming unleashes potential within our program participants; inspiring them to find their own path by examining the lives and legacies of others within the pages of books.

Learn more about Dr. Martin Luther King’s legacy with a book from Literature for Life’s online Amazon Bookstore. Accessible on the right side of our homepage, you can find thousands of resources for all ages!

A percentage of your purchases will support Literature for Life Reading Circle programming!

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!

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.

“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

“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.”