About

Our Mission

Literacy Quebec is a network that connects and represents community-based literacy organizations to empower people, impact lives and build a stronger society.

Our Vision

We envision a Quebec where everyone has the literacy skills they need to live a fully engaged life.

Core Values

Literacy Quebec believes literacy is a basic human right and is guided by the following core values:

> Literacy is a right
> Universal access to literacy services
> Literacy is a lifelong process
> Ongoing professional development for literacy providers are essential
> Volunteers & community action matter

What we do

In pursuit of our mission, Literacy Quebec engages in a wide range of activities:

Providing professional development opportunities for literacy practitioners
Advocating for literacy
Working in partnership with government agencies
Networking with literacy-related groups
Raising awareness of the importance of literacy in Quebec

Take a look at our activity report for some more information about the work that we do!

Click on the image to be directed to this year's activity report.

Click on the image to be directed to this activity report.

Click the image to be directed to this activity report.

History of Literacy Quebec

In 1980, adult education coordinators at each regional school board initiated the establishment of a volunteer literacy council in each region. Recruiting, training and volunteer support was initially based on the 'Each One Teach One' principles established by Dr. Frank Laubach. Since 1999, Literacy Quebec (LQ) has been accredited with MELS, and receives funding to realize our mission. This has allowed LQ to hire the staff necessary to carry out the objectives determined by our volunteer Board of Directors.

Today, member organizations embrace a variety of philosophies and approaches to teaching literacy and essential skills, reflecting the unique opportunities and challenges in their local communities.

In 2015, Literacy Quebec (LQ) celebrated 35 years as a provincial organization of community, volunteer-based literacy groups, with member organizations across Quebec. Have a look at our Milestones in History (below) and the 30th anniversary newspaper to see how the LQ landscape has changed over the years.

Freda Hudson Volunteer Recognition Award

Literacy Quebec inaugurated the Freda Hudson Volunteer Recognition Award in 2007, in memory of a remarkable volunteer. It is presented annually to an active volunteer who has made a significant contribution to literacy.

A remarkable woman, indeed.
Freda Hudson was instrumental in forming and supporting LQ, serving as a Director and Chairperson for many years.

Freda was active on the national level, as a Director for LLC. Her contributions included authorship of several Canadian publications, many of which are found in the libraries of the literacy councils today.

After working at the national and provincial levels of literacy issues, Freda decided to get back to her local roots and contribute in a major way to the Yamaska Literacy Council, serving as a Director, a tutor, a Chairperson, and an adviser.

Freda's student, Trudi Brown, like her tutor, is a remarkable woman with a remarkable story to tell. With Freda's support and encouragement, Trudi wrote "A Rose of Courage", the story of her mother's life.

Recently, Trudi wrote about Freda, "Now I can go around the world in a book. I travel so much in books and every time I do I think of Freda."

Designing the Award

The design itself is a plant: roots firmly in the ground, and sprouting a "flower".

This motif represents growth and implies something organic which continues to evolve. Freda's initials are worked into the roots to honour the foundation that she laid in our literacy community and to emphasize that many of the developments we have gained are "rooted" in her literacy work. The "flower" suggests an open book: a symbol of knowledge, learning, and literacy. The "leaves" are designed to suggest wings, a symbol of the freedom that we gain from having knowledge and skills.

As Freda was indeed a precious individual who shone brightly and reflected her brightness, silver was chosen as the material for her commemorative pin. The piercing technique used (cutting the design into the metal) honors the wearer of the pin as it allows the colour and texture of their own clothing to show through and interact with the pin, thus highlighting their own individuality and connecting them to Freda at the same time.

Kate Strickland, Designer

Award Recipients

2019: Gordon Cook, The Learning Exchange
2018: Maureen Floen, RECLAIM
2017: Rick Valin, Western Quebec Literacy Council
2016: Warren Law, The Learning Exchange
2015: Jim Eames, Quebec City Reading Council
2014: Mary Chuprun, Laurentian Literacy Council
2013: Valerie Sauriol, The Learning Exchange

2012: Beryl Kerrison, Western Quebec Literacy Council
2011: Lillian Hartley, South Shore Reading Council
& Ed Chaffey, RECLAIM
2010: Cornelia Fischer, Yamaska Literacy Council
2009: Mona Arsenault, The Learning Exchange
2008: Martha Shufelt, Yamaska Literacy Council
2007: Grace Saabas, RECLAIM