This month in Centre Page:

• Volunteering is Empathy in Action!

• An Evening of Wine & Words: 85% Sold!

• Take Care of Our Planet: Earth Day 2023
• Links Fore Literacy Golf Tournament

Join us from April 16th to 22nd as we celebrate National Volunteer Week! This is our favourite time to highlight the incredible work our volunteers do to support our learners and programs. We are fortunate to have such kind and dedicated volunteers, and we’d like to share two of their stories with you! Here’s what volunteering means to Heather-Jane, the Chair of our Board, and Jacky, a tutor in our Adult Tutor Program.

Heather-Jane: 'I first started volunteering in support of literacy in 2010, and have been with the CFL since 2017. I realize the importance of literacy in my life - whether reading recreationally, looking up a user manual, or in my past professional work sharing information with patients.

Knowing that what we do as a CFL Board helps to support the literacy development of our learners and the community around them is my favourite part of my role with the Centre. 

Volunteering gives me community connections I value, and I am inspired to share the meaning of family literacy with others and encourage them to support the CFL.'

Jacky: 'I volunteer with the centre to make an impact on peoples’ lives. I love to inspire others to overcome their learning obstacles and approach every problem with a positive attitude. My favourite part of being a Math Tutor Team volunteer is watching adults learn new skills and gain confidence in their own abilities. Seeing them take that confidence and apply it to the outside world has been rewarding.

This experience has inspired me to apply for an education after-degree program to continue preparing learners with the skills and attitudes they need for a bright future!'

Celebrate Earth Day this April 22 with your family! This year, it occurs on a Saturday. What will you be doing? If you are looking for a few simple ideas, we have three for you. Ideas to connect with Earth, learn about Earth and take care of our Earth!

Go for a walk! Get outdoors! Sounds simple enough, but with busy schedules, it can be a challenge to just get outside without a reason except just to be outdoors. Whether in your neighbourhood or a local natural park. Use your senses. Listen, what do you hear? Can you reach out and feel a tree? What does spring smell like? What do you see? Pack some light refreshments with you and sit back on a bench and enjoy the outdoors. To celebrate Earth Day, connect with nature.

Use your tech! Technology is at our fingertips, so try searching for some fun facts about Earth. Find an activity or craft you can work on as a family. If you go out for a walk, participate in a scavenger hunt to take photos. Go through the alphabet and find something to take a photo of for each letter. A is for animals, B is for birds, C is for clouds, etc.

Recycle, Upcycle or Reuse something! Spring cleaning is something many people do anyways, so look for items you no longer need and consider donating items in good condition to your local thrift shop. Have an old T-shirt? DIY it into a shopping bag. Items that can not be reused can be taken into places like an Eco-Station for safe disposal. Take care of our planet Earth!

1. World Health Day - April 7

2. Good Friday - April 7

3. Easter Monday - April 10

4. National Volunteer Week - April 16-22

5. Lois Hole Community Leadership Award - Nomination Deadline - April 19
6. Earth Day - April 22
7. Spring Session Runs from April 11 to June 24