• Community
• Hudson

Here's your chance to help others learn how to read

Fundraising golf tournament set for Monday

James Parry
The Gazette
Thursday, September 4, 2008

Next Monday being the 43rd anniversary of International Literacy Day worldwide, I thought we would turn the spotlight on a committed group of volunteers right here in the West Island.
Literacy Unlimited is a community resource that has been helping adults challenged with low literacy since 1981. It now operates with a staff of four and more than 100 volunteers who, last year alone, helped 176 students improve their reading and writing skills.
According to Alice Reed, a Pointe Claire resident and the organization’s co-ordinator of communications and events, “Having low literacy does not mean you cannot read. The majority of people with literacy issues can do so to a certain degree, but not at a level required for full engagement at work, home and in the community.”
A recent survey by Statistics Canada and the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development determined that about 40 per cent of adult Canadians ages 16 to 65 – that’s 9 million people – struggle with low literacy. Factor in those over 65, and it soars to 48 per cent. Equally scary was the survey’s finding that although the majority of Canadian youth, ages 16 to 25, do attain the minimum level of literacy skills needed to cope with the demands of everyday life and work, anywhere from 18 to 38 per cent does not attain the minimum proficiency.
Said Reed: “Studies show that literacy is a key determinant of health and well being, but we are still a long way from reaching out to everyone who could benefit from our programs.”
With that in mind, more than 100 golfers will tee off at the Whitlock Golf & Country Club in Hudson on Monday for the Literacy Unlimited 5th Annual Golf Classic. The objective is to raise $36,500.
I had to pose the question: Given our privileged lifestyle and all the educational resources, how do so many people end up challenged with low literacy?
“There are many factors,” said Literacy Unlimited’s executive director, Jill Roberts, who also lives in Pointe Claire. “It may be a result of prolonged absences from school due to illness, frequent moves or family situations. It may stem from a physical disability, such as hearing or vision, that is often undiagnosed. Or a learning difficulty or disability, again undetected at an early stage. There again, it could be because of lack of parental or family support. Whatever the cause, however, there is no denying that low literacy has been linked to unemployment, poverty, poor health, family violence, youth at risk and even substance abuse.”
If you are a golfer, there is still time to sign up for the golf tourney. If you are not, LU is selling $10 raffle tickets for great prizes. For information, call 514-694-0007 or visit www.literacyun
limited.ca