2024 in Review: Love, Gratitude, and Progress at CFL

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December 2024/January 2025

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This Month in Centre Page:

• Don’t Miss Out – Join Our Ball Drop Raffle!
• 2024 in Review: Love, Gratitude, and Progress at CFL

• Postal Strike: Help Us Continue Serving Albertans
• Family Literacy Conference: Save the Date!

• A Heartfelt Thank You to the Edmonton Community Foundation

Don’t Miss Out – Join Our Ball Drop Raffle!

Only two weeks left to join the fun and support a great cause!

Buy tickets for our New Year's Eve 50/50 Raffle for a chance to win while helping fund vital literacy programs in our community.

Sales End: December 31, 2024, 12:00 p.m.
Draw Date: December 31, 2024, 11:59 p.m.

Buy Tickets!

2024 in Review: Love, Gratitude, and Progress at CFL

I write this in disbelief that this year is already coming to a close. It seems like a short time ago I was sitting among boxes procrastinating on packing for our move. As I pause to reflect on 2024, two words come to my mind: love and gratitude.

I love and am so grateful for the dedication and gifts of all our staff, board, volunteers, funders, donors, sponsors, partners, supporters, and most importantly, our learners. None of what we do would be possible without you.

I love and am grateful for all the ways people are speaking up and pushing for much needed changes in the not-for-profit sector and our specific field of literacy and family literacy. The conversations have been incredible and I’m truly hopeful that the future we all envision is within our grasp.

I love and am grateful to work with people that are willing to open their minds to new possibilities, see opportunities in things others may see as barriers, and to trust a whole new process in planning so we can make real change in society.

For CFL, 2024 had many highlights, including:

A successful office move
An amazing year of programming with an increase in our intergenerational sites
Investing in our staff through adding a new position to the team, wellness initiatives, and professional development
Being part of local and national initiatives
Planning to move CFL into the future with a new vision to guide our work

I am excited as I look back on what’s happened in past years and think about what the future will bring. This coming year is a major milestone for the Centre for Family Literacy as we turn 25 years old. It is the perfect time to launch our new vision and direction for the future. We are also putting on a new family literacy conference and planning online and in-person anniversary activities throughout the year. We hope you will join us for these!

I love and am so grateful that I get to be part of the work of CFL and all that goes with it. Thank you for your continued support and I look forward to connecting with you in 2025!

~ Kim Chung, Executive Director

Holiday Wishes from the CFL Team

Family Literacy Conference: Save the Date!

Mark your calendars! The Centre for Family Literacy is thrilled to announce the 2025 Family Literacy Conference, happening October 8-9, 2025 in Edmonton, Alberta. This event will take place at the beautiful Wyndham Hotel and Conference Centre, with a special Pre-Conference Training Institute on October 7. Whether you’re a literacy professional, educator, or passionate advocate, this is your chance to connect, learn, and be inspired.

Registration opens in March 2025, with Early Bird Pricing available – so don’t miss out! Secure your spot for the pre-conference day at $250.00, and/or join us for the two main days at $399.00, or all three days at $574.00. Plus, take advantage of exclusive conference rates at the Wyndham Hotel.

Stay tuned for more details, including session highlights and keynote speakers. Got a great idea to share? We’d love to hear from you. Submit a session proposal HERE.

Let’s come together to celebrate the power of literacy and its impact on families. See you in October!

Stay Tuned for More Details!

Postal Strike: Help Us Continue Serving Albertans

The recent postal strike, which began on Friday, November 15, has officially ended. However, delays in mail and parcel delivery services are expected to continue for some time.

Direct mail plays a vital role in our fundraising efforts, especially during the giving season when much of our annual revenue is raised. With lingering disruptions, we face challenges in securing essential donations for 2024 at a time when operating costs are rising and the demand for our services is increasing.

We encourage our supporters to continue contributing generously through online donations. We will reopen from our holiday closure on January 6, and would be happy to accept donations over the phone or in person at that time. Every gift helps us to continue delivering our free programs to those in need. We truly appreciate your understanding and continued support during this time. Your generosity makes a world of difference to both us and the communities we serve.

Thank you for standing with the Centre for Family Literacy — together, we are transforming lives!

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A Heartfelt Thank You to the Edmonton Community Foundation

As we reflect on a year filled with growth, connection, and community impact, we want to extend our sincerest gratitude to the Edmonton Community Foundation (ECF) for their unwavering support.

ECF has been a cornerstone of our work, connecting us with the right resources and helping us strengthen the impact we make in our community. Through their leadership and dedication to innovation, they continue to inspire and empower organizations like ours. Thanks to ECF's commitment to building a vibrant, thriving Edmonton, we are able to better serve those who need it most. Here's to another year of collaboration and community-building! Thank you, ECF, for being such a valued partner.

Skip the Depot

This holiday season, partnering with Skip the Depot, The Centre brings you a time-saving solution. Embrace the holiday spirit by scheduling a home pickup service for your empty bottles and cans. By doing so, 100% of your returns will be directed to the Centre, supporting our literacy programs.

Click Here to Sign Up