Action Read Awards Fall 2012

Action Read Community Award – Guelph Public Library

This award honours individuals, organizations or businesses whose support and contribution has had a positive impact on our ability to fulfill our mission. It is fitting that in celebrating our 25^th anniversary, we also honour a community organization that has shared our literacy mission in different ways throughout our history. 

The Guelph Public Library is a tremendous leader in supporting the literacy, numeracy and information needs of all Guelphites. GPL staff members are helpful, courteous and bend over backwards to help the all members of the community.  In recent years, the library has also increased its efforts to understand and respond to the needs of low-literate and English language clients.  Guelph Public Library has been an important ally to our family literacy program by providing program space and jointly hosting several Family Literacy Day events.  As well, our staff, learners and tutors regularly tap into the wealth of resource knowledge held by librarians.  Finally, Action Read staff particularly appreciated the patient and kind support CEO Kitty Pope and her team gave to us when our building was under construction in the summer and fall of 2011.  Thank you to the Guelph Public Library for the great work you do in enriching our community! 

 

The original Guelph Public Carnegie Library

 

Betty Bean Kennedy Award – Carin Headrick

Carin Headrick has been an Action Read tutor since 2005. Carin demonstrates the qualities we see in the best tutors.  She is highly flexible and creative, which she recognizes as essential since “conventional methods of learning may not work for the learner”.  She is also incredibly patient and nonjudgmental. As she says “learners will struggle and they can never be made to feel inadequate because they are having difficulties”. 

Carin brings a world of personal experience to tutoring and to Action Read that enriches those she works with beyond measure.  As a fully blind adult, she knows what it means to struggle first-hand with access to information.  A graduate of the University of Guelph, Carin currently works for a software company.  Still, she finds time to share her considerable knowledge, organizational and problem-solving skills at Action Read.  In addition to tutoring, she tests our website for accessibility, speaks to the public on behalf of Action Read, has written articles for the newspaper, set up Braille signage around the centre and offers her insight and wisdom on the Action Read Board of Directors.  Although these words seem inadequate, ‘thank you Carin’.

Shirley Almack Award

The Shirley Almack Award highlights a learner who has demonstrated great leadership in our community.  It is a real honour to nominate Leonie Matfin for this award.

Leonie is a gifted storyteller, writer, communicator and public speaker. Leonie thinks nothing of taking her time and finding her nerve to share the story of her struggles with literacy outside the centre. In speaking on behalf of Action Read for the United Way, she has increased understanding, dispelled myths, inspired and made people laugh like no one else could.  In fact, many times United Way staff members request her specifically for important events, as they know that she will connect with her audience and inspire them to give more.  Leonie truly puts herself out there.  She is a shining example of determination, character and generosity.

Leonie is also someone to take initiative.  When the National Literacy Secretariat was disbanding several years ago (which meant a loss of a funding source for Action Read), Leonie went door to door telling her neighbours of the benefits she has gained by coming to a literacy program and why they should sign her petition.  No one at Action Read even asked her to do this – she just showed up one day with 300 names on numerous sheets of paper!  Furthermore, many times Leonie has shared her talents as an artisan by donating her creations to Action Read fundraisers and raffles. 

With the support of her long-time tutor Sharon Nancekivell, Leonie has written two memoirs, both of which are a great pleasure to read and extremely funny.  Thank you Leonie for the quiet leadership and important contribution you have made over the years to support the mission of Action Read.

Doris Middleton – Kendra Dewar
Kendra’s passion for learning and her desire to enrich the lives of others is exemplary.  One cannot help but be impressed by Kendra’s punctuality, consistency, involvement and commitment to learning.  Kendra accesses the tutoring and small group learning programs, and takes advantage of all special workshops and events that meet her learning goals.  She is sure to relax and have fun at Games Night and other social events. She is an important contributor to the women’s group and at all times an active listener.  Kendra volunteers at community events such as the Teddy Bear Picnic and outreach events, and is seen helping out each week on the front desk.  In addition, Action Read benefits tremendously from her reliability, experience, great memory and depth of understanding on Hiring Committees.  With her awesome tutor Marilyn, we are sure that Kendra can meet any learning or employment goal that she sets for herself.  Her commitment to learning is even evident outside Action Read where she delivers newspapers and teaches Sunday school!  Kendra is a great friend, a valued community member and an inspiration to many.