For immediate release

Fredericton, May 27^th, 2025 – The Literacy Coalition of New Brunswick is announcing the retirement of its Executive Director, Lynda Homer.

Lynda has been Executive Director since 2015, with several years of service being both President and Board Member. She brought an incredible amount of experience and knowledge to the Literacy Coalition, and has been a steadfast leader in literacy and essential skills over her career. During her time at LCNB, Lynda oversaw critical projects such as the Essential Skills for Atlantic Fisheries (ESAF) project, as well as its successor, Essential and Employability Skills – Health Sector (ESS-HS). Under her leadership, LCNB was recognized by ABC Life Literacy in 2020 in their Canada Life Literacy Innovation Award for LCNB’s Family Time Online project. Last year, Lynda was awarded the King Charles III Coronation Medal for her outstanding contribution and commitment to literacy in New Brunswick.

Lynda will be missed by the Coalition, its Board, and partners. The New Brunswick community of literacy volunteers wishes her luck and happiness in her future endeavors.

“I have worked with Lynda for a long time and she will be sorely missed,” said Brent Melanson, President of the Literacy Coalition. “She has always been the lynchpin of our organization. I wish her all the best in her well-deserved retirement.”

Susan Yarom, who has been with LCNB since 2018, has been appointed Acting Executive Director.

“Looking back on nearly a decade as Executive Director of the Literacy Coalition—and many more years in different roles before that—I’m filled with gratitude and a deep sense of pride,” Lynda said. “It’s been an unforgettable journey, working with so many dedicated and passionate individuals who care deeply about literacy in New Brunswick and beyond.  My heartfelt best wishes to everyone, especially to Susan Yarom as she steps into her new role as Acting Executive Director.”  

The Literacy Coalition of New Brunswick provides leadership to advance literacy, lifelong learning, and essential skills for all citizens through partnerships and collaboration with government, educational institutions, business, labour, community organizations and individuals.

For more information, please contact:

Susan Yarom
Acting Executive Director
Tel.: 506.457.1227                                                                               
Email: lcnb@nbliteracy.ca

Our upcoming Literacy Gala Dinner and Auction has been rescheduled to October 16th, 2025. We are incredibly grateful to our volunteers and staff, as well as everyone who has purchased tickets and donated to the auction. We look forward to seeing you in October!

Fredericton, April 16, 2025 – The Literacy Coalition of New Brunswick will be celebrating New Brunswick Literacy Day by announcing the winners of our 2025 adult learner essay contest. The 2025 theme was “Literacy Changes Lives” which led to many heart-warming stories from contestants speaking about a brighter future resulting from their adult learning program. Also, as part of our NB Literacy Day celebrations, all submissions will be featured on our website in our Adult Learners’ eBook.

The essay contest winners are:

Katrina Evans – 1^st place winner (English)
Denebe Josiane – 1^st place winner (French)
Jessica Nicholas – 1^st place winner (Indigenous)
Abigail Smith – Runner Up

Each contest winner will receive a $150 prize, while the runner-up will be awarded $75, and all recipients will also receive a framed certificate. Additionally, winners will be invited to read their essays at the LCNB Gala Literacy Dinner, which will take place this fall at the Delta Fredericton.

Literacy is crucial for the future of New Brunswick, according to Literacy Coalition President Brent Melanson. He says that “at a time when literacy skills are increasingly critical for survival and participation in society, our work to support lifelong learning for children, youth and adults has never been more important”.

“New Brunswick Literacy Day is an occasion to acknowledge the triumphs that many New Brunswickers have had.” says Lynda Homer, Executive Director of the LCNB. “We need to celebrate the remarkable individuals who are making learning a priority in their lives, and the extraordinary adult literacy educators who are helping them to achieve their goals”.

The Literacy Coalition of New Brunswick provides leadership to advance literacy, lifelong learning, and essential skills for all citizens through partnerships and collaboration with government, educational institutions, business, labour, community organizations and individuals.
For more information or to arrange an interview, please contact:

Executive Director
Tel.: 506.457.1227                                                                               
Email: lcnb@nbliteracy.ca

Adult Literacy Week is an occasion to acknowledge the triumphs that many New Brunswickers have and celebrate the importance of life-long learning in our lives.

We were thrilled to receive 24 wonderful and inspiring submissions this year! Thank you to each learner who took the time to send in a submission.

Read all of the wonderful essays in our ebook by clicking here!

We are excited to now announce the winners! Click on their name to read their essay:

We are so excited to announce “Talking, Singing, Reading…Everyone, Everywhere!” in partnership with the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development!

We will be delivering training to 400 early childhood educators over the next 4 years, starting with 100 in the anglophone sector this fall. This training will include coaching and mentoring so educators can feel confident in their skills.

“The Literacy Coalition of New Brunswick is a recognized leader in advancing literacy in New Brunswick, with over 35 years of experience supporting literacy from birth to older adults,” said our President, Brent Melanson. “We have been a strategic partner for literacy in many areas, and we are certainly invested in providing training for early childhood educators.”

Read on about this amazing project here: https://www2.gnb.ca/…/news/news_release.2024.04.0174.html