The 2017 winners for the Dr. Marilyn Trenholme Counsell Literacy Awards have been named and will receive their awards at a ceremony at the Fredericton Crowne Plaza-Lord Beaverbrook Hotel at 7:00pm with reception from 6:00pm to 7:00pm on October 4th.
Established in 1998 by Dr. Marilyn Trenholme Counsell, former New Brunswick lieutenant-governor and senator and now past president of the Literacy Coalition of New Brunswick (LCNB), these awards recognize outstanding achievements in the fields of literacy and essential skills. They are supported by funds generated by the Literacy Coalition’s annual Peter Gzowski (PGI) Literacy Dinner and Auction.
With these awards, the Literacy Coalition recognizes outstanding achievements in the categories of early childhood literacy, community literacy, business/corporate literacy initiatives, individual contributions to literacy and workplace literacy and published author/illustrator.
“We are very pleased to name Matthew Wallace, of the Focus Forward Workplace Essential Skills Program as the winner in the Workplace Essential Skills category,” says LCNB President, Brent Melanson. “As an employee of PETL, Matt has taught 15 programs in Workplace Essential Skills at Key Industries in Saint John. As colleagues at Key Industries have observed, “there are many who would have been left behind if Matt hadn’t sparked their interest in reading and learning.”
In the category of Outstanding Individual Contributions to Literacy, the 2017 winner is Bob Scott whose unwavering support for literacy spans a period of close to two decades. Bob’s continued commitment to the annual Peter Gzowski Literacy fundraiser and to the Literacy Coalition’s work to improve literacy has helped to raise critical funding for family, adult and community literacy programs in New Brunswick.
The category of Early Childhood Literacy has 2 award winners: Maria Gillis, Unicorn Children’s Centre, Dieppe, has been a glowing example to her staff, providing high quality, loving and educational learning experiences for children over the duration of her teaching career. Maria was also a significant contributor to the development of the New Brunswick Curriculum Framework for Early Learning and Child Care. Our second recipient in this category is l’École des Batisseurs of Fredericton for their Oasis de lecture Initiative. Literacy leads, Madame Danielle Cormier and Madame Lyne Salvas and teachers of this school, involved students in creating a unique and engaging space for students to enjoy reading and other literacy related activities. Today they have a great pride of ownership in their “Oasis de lecture”.
In the category of Community Literacy Programs, the 2017 award winner is the Learning Disabilities Association of New Brunswick. For nearly 50 years, LDANB has persevered in carrying out its mission to promote the understanding of learning disabilities and the recognition of the potential for persons with learning disabilities to lead full, meaningful and successful lives. The specialized assessments and interventions of LDANB are delivered throughout the province.
The award winner in the category of Business/Corporate Literacy Initiative, is Mrs. Dunster’s Inc. and the Hyslop Family for their key role in introducing the Good Fit Book Program to school-aged children. The program began in 2013 as part of the Fog Lit Readers and Writers Festival in Saint John. With many partners involved, it has proven to be highly successful in engaging young readers by using a mentorship model. Rosalyn Hyslop, co-owner of Mrs. Dunster’s Inc., who played a key role in this initiative from the start, will be working with her husband, Blair, to incorporate the program to achieve charity status and expand it throughout New Brunswick and beyond.
Finally, in the category of published author / illustrator, our two award recipients are Kyla Brewer, author, and Chrissie Park-MacNeill, illustrator, for their collaboration on their recently released children’s book, Chicka-chicka Chickadee. This book was launched in June at Government House, and will be given to every newborn in the Province through its inclusion in the Born to Read bags given to mothers at the hospital upon the birth of their child.
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.
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