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is published by
Metro Toronto
Movement
for Literacy
344 Bloor St. West
Suite 306
M5S 3A7
Tel.:
(416) 961-4013
Fax: (416) 961-8138
Editor: Glenn Pound Typesetting
& Design: Glenn Pound
E-mail: glennp@mtml.ca
web:
www.mtml.ca
Metro Toronto
Movement
for Literacy
is a network of organizations and
individuals who are
involved in and support adult literacy. We are an
independent
non-profit organization.
We provide leadership
and
work actively to
develop and promote
adult literacy in Toronto
and
York Region.
The articles in
Incoming do not necessarily reflect the views of
MTML.
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Update from the Editor
Another Annual General Meeting
is behind us and we have acclaimed a terrific slate of candidates to our Board
of Directors. I would like to take this opportunity to officially welcome our
new board members and thank them for their commitment to adult literacy in
Toronto and York Region.
The MTML Board of Directors as of October
25, 2004 is:
Renewed Commitment:
Pat Hatt (Literacy
Advocate, Learning Disabilities Expert)
Sue Nielsen (E.D., Toronto Adult
Student Association)
New Board Members:
Sue Fearnley
(Instructor, Preparatory Training Program )
Sue Folinsbee (Program Manager,
Labour Education Centre)
Myles Gallant (Volunteer Tutor)
Suzan Gerber
(Former Instructor, TDSB)
Eileen Longson (Instructor, TCDSB )
Members with another year on their term:
Mike Doyle (Learner
Representative)
Doug Faulkner (Learner Representative)
Joan Robinson
(Program Manager, Toronto Public Library Adult Literacy Programs)
Renaud
Saint-Cyr (Program Manager, Alpha Toronto)
Marilyn Stack (Counsellor,
George Brown College)
Glenn
Pound
MTML Staff
Are you reading someone else's copy of Incoming?
Would you like to receive your own copy of Incoming? Send in the
following form to become a member of MTML.
For a membership form
click
here |
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RESOURCES
ODSP
& OW Extras: The Untold Story
OW & ODSP clients are entitled to special benefits
that they might not be aware of. Some of these benefits include:
· Community Start-Up Benefit (helps people to establish a
residence)
• Special Diet Benefits
• Drug & Dental
Benefits
• Winter Clothing Allowance
• Back to School
Allowance
• Employment Allowance
The HIV & Aids Legal Clinics
of Ontario (HALCO) has developed a presentation on these benefits which is
available on their website at http://www.halco.org/publications.html.
The
Promise and Problem of Literacy in Canada: An Agenda for Action
This policy brief from the Canadian Education
Association provides a very useful outline of Canada’s literacy challenge
and includes policy recommendations to address these challenges. It is
available for download on CEA’s website at:
www.cea-ace.ca
Grass
Roots Press, New Titles Fall 2004
Grass Roots Press has a number of new titles available
in their Fall 2004 catalogue which is available online. Categories include:
• Easy Readers
• Numeracy
• Spelling
•
Volunteer Management
• Workplace
• Software
• Women
and Literacy
Visit: http://www.literacyservices.com/catal.htm
for more information or to complete an order.. |
Supporting MTML Services
A
Discussion at the MTML Annual General Meeting
This discussion was intended to help us find new fundraising
initiatives that can involve the membership. The simple fact of the matter is
that we either have to increase our resources or decide which services to cut.
Of course, we choose to grow, not cut, but we need membership support to do
this.
What we receive from MTCU allows us to keep the organization
running as a regional network to provide MTCU mandated services to the
membership. With membership support and fundraising initiatives we are able to
enhance these services so that the membership can make them their own.
Without membership support, services like LAN and Tutor Training are in
serious jeopardy. MTML has been scrimping and saving and trying to be as
resourceful as possible but we are still very limited.
With such a
wonderful community of people working together for common goals, we have a
wealth of resources to develop and deliver fundraising activities that not only
grow MTML but at the same time bring us together in ways that strengthen and
build our community.
Events like the Famous People Players Dinner and
the Poetry Challenge demonstrate this very well and we hope to build on these
and create new successes. These events are not only fun to plan and participate
in, they do bring some funds to MTML.
This was a great brainstorm and
we would like to thank everyone who participated and especially Nancy Friday
for facilitating and stimulating a very productive discussion. We will be
following up on these ideas but we don’t want to stop there - let’s
keep it going. If you have any ideas, connections, time, or resources we urge
you to contact us and help us grow MTML in ways that will benefit us all.
Glenn Pound MTML
Co-Executive Director
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New MTML Staff
Structure
Effective November 1,
Colleen and Glenn will be assuming their shared role as Co-Executive Directors.
In addition to these new duties, they will continue to fulfill their roles as
Projects and Field Development Coordinator and Communications and Information
& Referral Coordinator respectively. A part-time Community Planner will be
hired early in the New Year to help facilitate the community planning process
and through an HRDC Job Creation partnership we hope to hire an administrative
person.
Policy Brief
The Promise and Problem of Literacy
for Canada: An Agenda for Action. This Policy Brief developed by the Canadian
Education Association outlines Canada’s literacy challenges and charts a
way forward stating: “Canada needs collaborative and coordinated literacy
leadership to overcome the shortsightedness of a fragmented approach and to
fashion a coherent and comprehensive agenda for literacy.” It can be
downloaded from http://www.cea-ace.ca/media/
en/Lit_PBrief_Eng.pdf
Clear Language Film Project
The Canadian Labour
Congress and the National Film Board are working together on a animated film
project on clear language. Short, animated films are being developed by
award-winning film-makers Michael Fukushima and animator Janet Pearlman. The
target date for completion of the films is June 2005.
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Volunteer with Golden Oak Book Club
Book
Selection Committee
There are two positions on this committee.
1. Book Reviewer: Are you a literacy practitioner, tutor or learner?
Can you commit to reading and reviewing five books between January to May? The
review involves filling out a form (supplied) saying whether you think each of
the books might be good for the GO Book Club. 2.
Selection Committee
Member: These members are asked to attend 2 meetings in Toronto (June and
September). The tasks are to: compile a short-list of books based on the
reviews from the book reviewers and read the short-list of books over the
summer; decide which books will be on the GO Book Club booklist; write
discussion questions for one of the books on the final list. There are 6
members on this committee.
Steering Committee
This Committee
is responsible for planning and promoting the Golden Oak Book Club. Requested
tasks may include assisting with one or several of the following: liaising with
authors and publishers; writing/editing promotional material; fundraising;
website design; organizing author tours and visits; planning the GO Award event
in June. The committee meets 3-4 times from September to May. Most meetings are
by teleconference. Ideally, committee members will have some experience with
the Golden Oak Book Club. For more information email
adultliteracy@tpl.toronto.on.ca |
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Meet Your Legal Clinic
in Downtown West
Kensington-Bellwoods Community Legal Services, a legal aid clinic
committed to the elimination of poverty and equality before the law, will be at
the Scadding Court Community Centre lobby from 2 to 4 p.m. on Saturday November
20. This is an opportunity to
• Meet their board and staff members.
• Enjoy some free pie and hot apple cider.
• Pick up free
legal information.
• Surprises for the kids.
Scadding Court
Community Centre; 707 Dundas Street West at Bathurst Street. People are also
invited to attend their Annual Meeting in Room 3 at 4:00 p.m.
How to Complain Effectively
How to Complain
Effectively is a seminar being offered by the Office of the Ontario Ombudsman,
is designed to help front-line workers to help their clients access vital
services. It will covers topics like:
• Trouble obtaining
identification or a health card;
• ODSP hassles;
• Legal aid
issues.
The workshop is free with a light lunch and an opportunity to
network provided. Tuesday, December 7, 12 to 3:30 pm. Toronto Public Library,
Northern District Branch. 40 Orchard View Blvd. (1 block North of Eglinton just
West of Yonge) Space is limited so register early. Contact Holly Kramer at
phone: (647) 222-4420 email: torontoharmreduction@yahoo.ca
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From Self to Story
MTML has one copy of
From Self to Story: Stories by Toronto adult literacy learners for each member
organization. If your organization has not yet received your copy, please
contact Colleen at MTML, 416-961-4013. Additional copies are available from
MTML for a suggested donation of $10.00. Please see order form enclosed. Centre for
Opportunities, Respect and Empowerment (CORE)
CORE offers a Lifestyle
Strategies program that supports young adults, ages 16 – 28, who have
developmental challenges to make the transition into adulthood and community
life. The program is located at King & Spadina but is available to anyone
from across the Greater Toronto Area. Contact Lesley Skinner at Phone: (416)
240-7929 ext. 292 for more information.
Office Space Needed
Heritage Skills
Development Centre is presently looking for office space. Do you know of any
organization that may want to share or sublet its space? If so, please contact:
Mira or Charity at Heritage Skills Development Centre (HSDC). HSDC is a
not-for-profit charitable organization with a mission to promote the health,
social and economic well being of new immigrant families and at risk youths.
Contact them at phone: (416) 345-1613, or e-mail:
Info@hsdconline.org
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