Thanks to all those who submitted a PGI Grant application.

The Literacy Coalition is now accepting applications for 2015 PGI Grants!

Who can apply?

Established literacy groups or programs, including First Nations, that have been operating one year or more, who receive direction from a volunteer board, meet the eligibility requirements and apply before the deadline are eligible for consideration.

How much can you request?

All applications are subject to a review process and the limited funds (max. $3000 per application) that are available to distribute may be less than requested. If you are requesting funds for more than one program, please use a new form each time.

How can the funds be used?

The funds must be used for literacy related activities or learning materials for existing programs, and must be used within one year of receiving the donation. If your organization is a successful recipient of funding, a signed and dated, Statement of Expenditure, must be received by LCNB within one year of receiving the donation.

Applications that are based on providing an essential literacy service, or developing new and innovative ways to increase literacy levels in New Brunswick, are eligible:

Eligible costs include, but are not limited to, books, learning materials, special events, innovative programs, and technology.

Ineligible costs include, but are not limited to, wages, staff meals and travel, office supplies, and office furniture.

Forms are available here:

• PGI 2015 Funding Application
• PGI 2015 Final Reporting Form

The deadline for submission of the PGI Grant applications is Thursday, Dec 31, 2015 at 5:00 pm.

Note: If your organization received PGI funding last year, a report on the activities of the grant must be submitted to LCNB before a new application is considered.

It is with great enthusiasm that I begin my new position as Acting Executive Director for the Literacy Coalition of New Brunswick.  My past involvement with the Literacy Coalition includes several years as Board member, Board President and Family Literacy Project Manager. It feels good to be back with this important organization!

I have had the opportunity to promote literacy and learning in a variety of settings throughout my career including teaching at the preschool, public school, college and university levels. I have also been Regional Director for Woodstock Early Intervention Services and Provincial Consultant for Early Childhood Services for the Province of New Brunswick. Most recently I have worked as an independent consultant focusing on early childhood education and literacy.

My specialty areas include project management, program development and evaluation, training, staff development, research and report writing; I hope to put all of these skills to good use.  I look forward to working with all of you to advance literacy, lifelong learning and essential skills through continued partnerships and collaboration.

As an organization, we have continued to provide literacy programs to our community.  In the past year, our programs and initiatives included Conversations with Grandparents, the Let’s Learn booklet and video, Family Literacy Day Celebrations and the Adult Learner’s Writing Contest. For the coming year, we are developing a community asset map which will connect parents and educators to family literacy programs and supports throughout the province.

As you are aware, the provincial government will be implementing its literacy strategy for the Province of New Brunswick.  This is an ambitious and an exciting initiative by the Province of New Brunswick to raise literacy levels and we hope as an organization to be able to assist and partner with the Province of New Brunswick in this worthwhile endeavor.

Our organization, has continued to fundraise.  Last April, we held the Peter Gzowski Literacy Dinner in Fredericton and it was a huge success.  This was our best attended dinner to date and we raised approximately $30,000.00 from the dinner and auction.  We thank Bob Scott and his team who took the lead in organizing this successful event.  We have already starting planning next year’s event which will be held on April 24, 2018.  We hope you will be able to attend and support the valuable literacy programs which benefit from this event. Our fundraising from the PGI dinner and other events, allows us to distribute funds for community literacy programs and support the advancement of literacy in New Brunswick.

We continue to recognize and celebrate literacy programs throughout the province with the Marilyn Trenholm Counsel Awards.  In these awards, we recognize individuals and organizations who have made exceptional contributions to literacy throughout the province.  The awards for this year will be held on October 4, 2017 and I encourage you to attend to help honour these worthy individuals and organizations who work so hard to improve literacy in New Brunswick.

We also continue to work with our members and partner organizations to address literacy issues around the Province of New Brunswick.  We share knowledge, information and best practices about literacy which result in better delivery of programs.

The work of this organization would not be possible without the hard work of our Executive Director, Lynda Homer, who has recently joined us.  Lynda, who had worked with our organization in the past, has proven an invaluable member of the team.  This team also includes Matthew Garneau who does an excellent job in communications and Judy Wood who provides our accounting services.  We have a Board of Directors and Executive who tirelessly contribute their time and expertise to the management of this worthwhile organization and I thank each and every one of them for their commitment to literacy in New Brunswick.

The Literacy Coalition of New Brunswick is committed to fostering and improving literacy in the Province of New Brunswick and it would not be possible without our partner organizations and individuals like yourselves.  We thank you for your support.

 

 

Brent Melanson

President, Literacy Coalition of New Brunswick