United for Literacy received a grant from our 2024 Community Grants program to support their Free Literacy Programming for Guelph and Wellington Children and Youth. This program offers free tutoring and literacy support to children and youth who may not otherwise have access to extra help outside of school. It is part of United for Literacy’s mission to remove barriers and empower learners, especially for families navigating challenges like food insecurity, low income, or being newcomers to Canada.
The program helps children and youth improve their reading, writing, speaking, and math skills. It also supports learners in building digital and communication skills, building friendships, and becoming more active in the community. Over the past year, with the help of over 100 volunteer tutors, United for Literacy reached 211 learners across eight programs in Guelph and Wellington. Through partnerships with community groups like Grange Hill East and Parkwood Gardens Neighbourhood Groups, they also gave away more than 350 free books to families at local events and programs!
The results have been outstanding. This past year, 89% of students improved their reading, 82% improved in writing, and 86% saw progress in math. Teachers and parents noticed that students were overall more confident and independent in the classroom. One young learner shared, “I think I got better at reading. I got more confident and I got to read about a lot of different things… I like reading about Vikings the best.” Another learner from expressed, “Overall it’s nice to have someone to listen to your difficulties in school, especially for subjects where you don’t have the best teacher. It was a new experience for me, but incredibly worthwhile and something I would do again.”
By offering free, inclusive programs to children and youth, United for Literacy’ Program is helping to close learning gaps and reduce poverty in our community. Their work support a quality education and help create a love of learning while building stronger futures.