The Foundation
Background
Since its inception in 1989, the Literacy Foundation has created many projects that have made it known in Quebec, elsewhere in Canada, and on the international scene. Starting in 1996, it implemented sound strategic planning. The credibility of the social action proposed by the Foundation lies in the strength of its convictions and its profound faith in the need to generate change in society so as to enhance the quality of life of illiterate individuals and, consequently, the community.
Creation
Since Quebec is not immune to illiteracy, the representatives of the Équipe interrégionale en alphabétisation du Québec (interregional literacy team) mobilized for International Literacy Year, decreed in 1990 by UNESCO. Their aim was to mark the occasion with a major awareness campaign that led to the creation of the Literacy Foundation on November 14, 1989.
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The Foundation through the years … From 1989 to 2009: highlights
November 1989
Creation of the Quebec Literacy Foundation
Team: No permanent staff
1990
Official launch of the Foundation, May 4, 1990
Launch of the referral lineLaunch of Quebec Literacy Week
1993
First annual fundraising campaign
1994
First issue of the Alpha-Link newsletter
1997
Introduction of strategic governance
Start of Domtar’s Paper Christmas for Literacy project
1st participation in Opération Bonne Mine (initiative to minimize the impact of childhood poverty)
1st fundraising campaign targeted to companies
1998
Inauguration of A Book and a Rose1st symposium on corporate literacy training and basic training
Publication Éducation et démocratie : entre individu et société
Launch of the Foundation’s Web site
Code d’accès TV program on TQS (for people with reading and writing difficulties)
1999
Inception of Option-compétences: referral service in the field of corporate training in basic competencies
Start of The Gift of Reading®
New name for the referral line: Info-Alpha line
2nd symposium on corporate literacy training and basic training
Publication La mondialisation de l'ignorance
2000
Launch of the video À mots découverts (four portraits of illiterate people)
Final participation in Opération Bonne Mine
2001
First edition of the Dictionaries: Pass it on! project
3rd symposium on corporate literacy training and basic training
Publication Nouvelle économie, nouveaux enjeux de formation
2002
Launch of the Adult Learnline
Name change to Literacy Foundation
Establishment of the Referral Department – Companies section
End of Quebec Literacy Week: superseded by collaboration on Quebec Adult Learners Week, introduced by the Quebec Ministry of Education (MEQ)
2003
The Foundation’s budget reaches its first $1 million
New organizational signature: Fill in the Blank!
First Reading Day
Publication Des adultes à former pour et par un entreprise rénovée
2004
15th anniversary of the Foundation
Poll on the Foundation’s profile by Léger Marketing: 45% of Quebecers are familiar with the Foundation
Launch of the À la une! electronic newsletter
2005
Jacques Demers’s illiteracy revealed: record number of calls to the Info-Alpha line
2006
Jacques Demers, honorary chairman of the annual fundraising campaign
Start of the Cascades of Paper for Literacy—Green Learning project
Creation of the Literacy Coalition
2007
New organizational signature: Words of hope
Hebdos Québec survey: one in every four weekly newspaper readers knows someone who has trouble reading
Born elsewhere, learning here symposium
Last Reading Day
2008
Inauguration of a public service campaign aimed at reaching immigrant women
2009
10th anniversary of The Gift of Reading®
20th anniversary of the Literacy Foundation
Team: 13 permanent staff members and several contract employees
Total budget: $1,400,000
Partners: More than 300