It’s International Literacy Day – take the challenge!

International Literacy Day – September 8th - is celebrated across Canada to promote and increase reading and writing skills among Canadians.

One of United Way Kitchener Waterloo and Area’s five regional priorities involves ensuring that all people are economically secure. Literacy plays a critical role in achieving that security. United Way Kitchener Waterloo and Area supports programs that provide adults with important literacy services - and a chance at a better economic outlook.

I encourage you to get involved in International Literacy Day this year by taking the International Literacy Day Challenge. Simply participate in one or more of the following activities on September 8th:

1. Read a book to a child
2. Have a child read a book to you
3. Start a blog (my personal favourite!)
4. Take a professional development course
5. Join a social media platform – Linked In, Facebook, Twitter, etc.
6. Write a letter to an old friend – the snail mail way!
7. Share this list with friends and coworkers – and dare them to take the challenge!
8. Play a game of Scrabble
9. Look up and learn a new word (and continue to do so every day for a month!)
10. Use a new form of technology (Smartphone, self‐serve checkout, etc.)

Here’s my personal challenge to you – don’t just take part in these activities on International Literacy Day - do at least one of these activities each and every day of the year!

Nancy Bird
Director, Community Development