The Literacy Champions Network emerged as a result of the strong relationships and shared passion among the twelve literacy organizations that were previously affiliated with The Peter Gzowski Foundation for Literacy (PGFL). The foundation itself was established in 2002 following the death of Peter Gzowski, the renowned host of CBC Radio's Morningside, who had been deeply committed to raising funds and awareness for literacy in Canada.
Peter Gzowski's dedication to literacy began in the late 1980s when he set a goal to raise $1 million for literacy initiatives across the country. This goal led to the creation of the Peter Gzowski Invitational Golf Tournaments for Literacy in 1986. These tournaments became a platform for raising funds and promoting literacy, while also bringing together literacy representatives from different regions to exchange best practices and expertise at an annual training forum.
Over the next four decades, the Peter Gzowski Invitational (PGI) Golf Tournaments for Literacy spread across every province and territory in Canada. The collective efforts of these tournaments raised more than $13 million by 2018, contributing significantly to literacy programs and initiatives nationwide.
As time went on, the affiliated partners involved in the PGI Golf Tournaments for Literacy expanded their fundraising efforts beyond golf tournaments. They diversified their activities to include various events and campaigns tailored to their local communities, all with the goal of supporting literacy programming and raising awareness.
In 2022, the Peter Gzowski Foundation for Literacy made the decision to transition from supporting fundraising events to providing grants to literacy organizations. As a result, the foundation concluded its formal relationship with the affiliated partners. However, the relationships created over the years among the provincial and territorial literacy organizations remained strong and valuable.
Recognizing the enduring connections and collaborative spirit forged through the support of the PGFL foundation and the invaluable work it accomplished, in 2023, literacy organizations from across the country came together as the Literacy Champions Network. They realized the power of their collective efforts and the potential to continue supporting literacy programming within their respective communities. With a shared commitment to improving literacy rates and advocating for increased literacy supports, the Literacy Champions collaborate on initiatives, share resources, and leverage their collective expertise to make a lasting impact in promoting literacy from coast to coast to coast.
Today, the Literacy Champions Network stands as a united force, working diligently to address the literacy challenges faced by their communities. They honour the legacy of Peter Gzowski and the accomplishments of the PGI Golf Tournaments for Literacy while adapting to new approaches and strategies to advance their common goal of fostering literacy skills and opportunities for all Canadians.
No matter which literacy organization in Canada you choose to support, you have the incredible opportunity to be part of transforming lives through literacy. By donating, you can help provide free tutoring and mentoring to those in need of literacy and numeracy support, offer books, educational resources, and fund various literacy programs. Together, let's create a world of possibilities for individuals and leave an indelible mark on entire communities. Take action now and be a driving force in fostering a love for reading and learning across the nation.
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Members of The Literacy Champions Network
Foundations - Learning and skills Saskatchewan
Literacy Coalition of New Brunswick
Sharon has been volunteering with United for Literacy since 2006. Reflecting on her experience, Sharon shared about one of her students:
"He could only ‘read’ the letter ‘S’… as he progressed with his lessons, he delighted in his achievements and his steadily increasing reading skills. More importantly, his whole demeanor changed: he greeted us happily and enthusiastically and he became a much more positive person."
These transformations are what continue to inspire Sharon in her volunteer work. If you are interested in making a difference like Sharon, learn more about volunteering with us today.
Alex is a Digital Literacy Facilitator and former intern at United for Literacy, in Thunder Bay.
"I get to work with great learners to help hone their abilities and confidence, I get to work in Reading and Math groups and learn as much from them as they do from me, and I get to engage with such a variety of Canadians from all walks, sharing in their day and their passions and what they learn. At United for Literacy we meet people where they are and see the value in who they are, and the journey they are taking."
