Frontier College hosts national forum examining the vital role literacy should play in
Canada's Poverty Reduction Strategy
WINNIPEG, April 25, 2017 /CNW/ - On April 26, Frontier College, Canada's original non-profit literacy organization, will unite five of Canada's non-profit and business leaders to discuss literacy strategies to alleviate poverty at the National Forum on Literacy and Poverty in Winnipeg. The forum is sponsored by Great-West Life, London Life and Canada Life, which have supported Frontier College's literacy programs since 1999.
As the Government of Canada seeks to develop a national Poverty Reduction Strategy, Frontier College advocates the role literacy has in preventing and reducing poverty for millions of people.
Poverty has a price tag for all Canadians. Evidence suggests that investment in literacy will benefit the economy by reducing costs in social assistance, healthcare, and justice while increasing productivity and earnings. A literate population will be less reliant on social assistance, pay more taxes, have better health, become more engaged in their communities and be more self-confident. Raising the literacy levels is one of the most important ways to reduce poverty in Canada. (Click here for research)
The National Forum on Literacy and Poverty seeks to increase knowledge of literacy intervention as a support for Canadians moving out of poverty. The panelists will share varying perspectives on how children, youth, and adults can benefit from increased literacy by removing barriers created by low literacy.
"At Frontier College, we believe that literacy is a fundamental right which has the power to transform lives and communities. Increasing literacy contributes to improved earning power and opportunities to employment for individuals and families. We are hosting the forum to educate and demonstrate how increased literacy can improve prosperity," says Stephen Faul, President and CEO, Frontier College.
"As a community member, an employer and a business, we know an investment in literacy is an investment in the well-being of Canadians," adds Cathy Weaver, Senior Vice-President, Human Resources, Great-West Life, London Life and Canada Life. "We're pleased to support Frontier College in its efforts to build a culture of improved literacy in which more people can achieve their potential and participate more fully in society."
The forum is free to attend. It will be live streamed in its entirety via www.frontiercollege.ca/2017nationalforum. Simultaneous conferences will be held in Whitehorse, Vancouver, Edmonton, Saskatoon, London, Toronto, Montreal, and Halifax.
Questions are welcome via email [email protected] and on twitter @frontiercollege.
| Date: |
Wednesday, April 26 from 12:00 to 2:00 p.m. CDT (Registration opens at 11:30 a.m.) |
| Location: |
Radisson Hotel Downtown Winnipeg, 288 Portage Avenue |
| Who: |
Craig Alexander, Senior Vice-President and Chief Economist, The Conference Board of Canada |
| Stephen Faul, President & CEO, Frontier College |
|
| Aj'a Oliver, Student at the Kaakiyow li moond likol Adult Learning Centre |
|
| Jim Silver Professor and Chair, Department of Urban and Inner-City Studies, University of Winnipeg |
|
| Dr. Dorothy W. Williams Desta Black Youth Network / reseau de la jeunesse noire, Operations and Fund Development Manager |
|
| Moderated by Dave Angus, Co-Chair, Winnipeg Poverty Reduction Council |
About Frontier College
Frontier College has been a leader in providing literacy programs since 1899. Literacy is an essential skill in today's world. We believe it's a fundamental right. Through a network of thousands of volunteers, Frontier College is helping Canadians to realize their potential and seize opportunities. For more information about Frontier College visit www.frontiercollege.ca and follow Frontier College on Twitter: @frontiercollege
About Great-West Life, London Life and Canada Life
Great-West Life, London Life and Canada Life offer a broad portfolio of financial and benefit plan solutions, and serve the financial security needs of more than 13 million people across Canada. Responsible and ethical management is an intrinsic value of the companies and is essential to long-term profitability and value creation. As an Imagine Caring Company supporting the principles of corporate citizenship and benchmarks for community investment established by Imagine Canada, the companies donate a minimum of one per cent of average pre-tax profits to non-profit, charitable and community organizations each year.
Learn more about the organization's approach to corporate social responsibility.
SOURCE Frontier College
Meredith Roberts, Frontier College, 416-923-3591 ext. 324, 416-624-6778 cell, [email protected]; Tim Oracheski, Director, Media and Public Relations, Great-West Life, London Life and Canada Life, 204.946.8961, [email protected]
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