Free Family Literacy Programs!

 

Action Read's Early Start Family Literacy Program provides weekly opportunities for parents/ caregivers and children, birth to age 6, to engage in early learning activities. The program builds skills that help children be successful at school right from the start.

It's FREE and located in schools and community centres throughout Guelph!

Currently there's space at the following sites:

Mondays 9:30-11:30 am
at the Salvation Army Citadel 1320 Gordon St. Community Room

Wednesdays 9:30-11:30 am
at Westwood Public School 495 Willow Rd. Community Room

Call 519-836-2759 or email info@actionread.com for more info or to register. EVERYONE welcome!

Workshop #1 of 4 in the FREE Digital Smarts Online series

 

Teaching & Learning Through a Trauma Informed Lens Workshop facilitated by Dr. Jeffrey J. Wilkinson

 

   Tuesday October 20, 2026 - 7:00 - 9:00 pm
   Dr. Jeffrey J. Wilkinson will facilitate this FREE workshop

   

 

In conversation, we will work to demystify trauma, explore ways of understanding traumatic experiences, how these experiences work in our memory and become activated in everyday life.

Topics discussed will include:

• trauma

• intergenerational trauma

• memory

• trauma responses

• neuroplasticity

• somatic harm and healing and

• ways to respond to trauma-driven reactions

 The workshop will be interactive with time for questions and discussion built in. All welcome.

Date:                         Tuesday, October 20, 2026

Time:                         7:00 - 9:00 pm 

Location:                 Action Read Community Literacy Centre

                8 Cork Street East, Guelph ON

RSVP at:                  info@actionread.com  by Tuesday, Oct 20, 12:30 pm 

Jeffrey J. Wilkinson, PhD is an educator, researcher, and facilitator. He holds a master’s degree and a doctorate in education. His research focuses on how trauma and memory work within individuals and groups to silo experiences and keep us from viewing and honouring the experiences of others.

Jeffrey has a deep background in human rights and has supported many groups through building bridges to each other. He is the co-author, with Raja Khouri, of “The Wall Between: What Jews and Palestinians Don’t Want to Know About Each Other” and the 2nd Edition, “The Wall Between: How October 7 and Gaza Have Reshaped the Narratives.”

Over the past three years, Jeffrey and Raja have been speaking across Canada and the US, building understanding, and mediating conflict through a trauma-informed approach.

2026 Welcoming Week Community Services and Volunteer Fair

Welcoming Week is an annual event celebrating the work that communities do to introduce individuals, including those new to the area, to the resources and services in their community.

The event helps foster connection and opportunities to work together and strengthen ways to contribute to the betterment of the community as a whole and the individuals within it.

Action Read is happy to participate in this opportunity for new Canadians to learn about different resources and organizations, ways to connect within their community, volunteer opportunities and ways to gain support.

 

Changing Seasons - Adult Walk at The Arboretum (University of Guelph) for more info email: info@actionread.com

 

Summer 2026 Newsletter

 

Spring 2026 Newsletter

 

Celebrating Family Literacy Day at the Children's Art Factory!

The Action Read Family Literacy Program had a wonderful time celebrating Family Literacy Day at the amazing Children's Art Factory.  What a fantastic space for creativity! Children and and adults alike couldn’t resist jumping in and making art together.

Because our families attend the program on different days, we actually held the celebration three days in a row so everyone had a chance to join the fun. It meant three days of creativity, laughter, and families learning together, exactly what Family Literacy Day is all about.

A huge thank you to our generous funders and sponsors: United Way Guelph Wellington Dufferin, the City of Guelph, the Sifton Family Foundation, and the Excellence in Literacy Foundation. Your support helps make joyful learning moments like this possible, and we are truly grateful.

We’d also like to give a big shout-out to the fabulous “Miss Brenda,” whose thoughtful touches and creative energy made the celebration extra special. And of course, thank you to our wonderful families for joining the fun and bringing such great spirit to the day!

Here are a few photos from the third day…

The one time you are allowed to write on the walls!

Each child received a special book from Miss Brenda.

Never too soon to play with letters.

Beautiful quality books selected by Miss Brenda with each individual child in mind.

Above all, early learning should be fun, creative and play-based. Check, check, check!

Winter 2026 Newsletter

 

Fall 2025