Our History - 1990-2007

1990 · New Carlisle Home and School Association and Born to Read

Anne MacWhirter, a New Carlisle Home and Schooler, and Marion Daigle, a Quebec Home & Schooler, set up the first Quebec Literacy Exchange in New Carlisle on the Gaspe coast. The decision of the community was to set up a Born to Read project – a first in Canada by that name. With the support of the Home and School Association, the local IODE, the centre benevole, private donations, and fund raising, the handmade book bags were delivered and distributed at the CLSC baby clinic – a suggestion made by the school nurse who took on the task of delivery.

1992 · New Brunswick IODE

Through a personal contact with Marion Daigle’s childhood friend, Shirley Downey, a local IODE chapter member in St. Stephen, New Brunswick, a very successful Born to Read project was born. She modeled it on the New Carlisle project and piloted the project locally and then on to the provincial IODE. Through IODE fund raising, corporate and recent government funding every child, French and English, receives the colourful red bag of books before leaving the hospital.

1993 - Networking for Youth, Huntingdon

 A literacy exchange in 1992 developed a series of activities, among them a Born to Read project.

2001 · le gout de lire (WI) born to read

Research indicated that the area served by the Pierrefonds CLSC in the West Island of Montreal had the highest birth rate in the province and a large population of families at risk. This seemed like a good area to start a Born to Read program.

Georgie Crawford, a retired educator, with the support of the Montreal Council of Women, began recruiting interested volunteers to serve on a steering committee.

Through sponsorship by the Quebec Federation of Home and School Associations, (QFHSA) a grant for this project was received from ABC Literacy Canada through Literacy Partners of Quebec (LPQ). QFHSA also donated books, through a gift from the Center for Literacy.

This along with donations from private individuals was the mainstay during this first year of operation. Further funding was provided by MNA Geoff Kelley. Charitable status was established through the Pearson Educational Foundation; this greatly enhanced funding possibilities. In-kind support, such as meeting space, printing and mailing, was generously donated by the Lester B. Pearson School Board. Literacy Unlimited provided space to house books and materials.

2002 · Official launch of le gout de lire (WI) born to read

The official launch of le goût de lire / born to read took place on Family Literacy Day, January 27, 2002, sponsored by the Dollard-des-Ormeaux branch of the Pierrefonds/Dollard-des-Ormeaux Library. Through the assistance of a CLSC Pierrefonds nurse, families in the area were invited to this festive event and bags of new books were presented to 16 babies and their families.

Regular distribution of bags of books commenced at the monthly well-baby clinic of CLSC Pierrefonds in March of 2002. The CLSC clinic staff was most welcoming, providing space in their clinic and encouraging clients to stop by our spot.

Donations of used children’s books from supporters of the project enabled volunteers to provide books for the older children coming to the clinic.

2004 ·

Lots for Tots/Pour Tous Les Bouts de Choux – Preschool  (Temiscaming)
Grenville Elementary School (Grenville)
Edgewater Elementary School (Pincourt)

These three projects were set up with grants to QFHSA from the 2003 Raise a Reader campaign (Literacy Partners of Quebec) and are continuing. Each association has found its own best way to reach families and to deliver the bags of books.

2006  ·

Roslyn Elementary School

First Born to Read project on Family Literacy Day. January 27; plans underway to continue

Dorset Elementary

Plans underway to set up Born to Read for next school year

Arundel

Local Anglican church has set up a Born to Read for all residents; organized by Leah Trineer, QFHSA Vice-President

There are at least 3 additional Home and School Associations currently in the planning stage for Born to Read projects in the next school year.