The Ministry of Education is providing $500,000 to support literacy and this year's Vancouver Sun Raise-a-Reader campaign, Education Minister Peter Fassbender announced today.

Decoda Literacy Solutions − the only provincewide literacy organization in British Columbia − will be working with The Vancouver Sun to distribute the Province's $500,000 Raise-a-Reader contribution to community-based literacy organizations throughout B.C. Funds raised through the annual Raise-a-Reader campaign play a vital role in supporting literacy programs that help B.C. families. Since 2004, the Province has invested more than $6.3 million in support of Raise-a-Reader, including the investment announced today.

Since 2001, the Province has invested more than $1.5 billion in literacy and literacy-related initiatives, including early learning programs.

Quotes:

Peter Fassbender, Minister of Education -

“Literacy is a key building block for a healthy, productive and successful life and we are happy to once again team up with Raise-a-Reader to support literacy in communities across the province.”

Brenda Le Clair, CEO, Decoda Literacy Solutions -

“The seeds of literacy are planted from a child's first book, and with nourishment, the love of reading begins. We are proud to partner with Raise-a-Reader once again. The money raised will support children and family literacy programs in communities across British Columbia - programs that offer rich opportunities for growth and learning for all generations.”

Patricia Wu, manager - marketing, local marketing - Western Canada, The Vancouver Sun Raise-a-Reader -

“The Vancouver Sun Raise-a-Reader campaign along with our team of volunteers and sponsors are proud to continue our support of community-based literacy programs for a 17th consecutive year. The campaign provides funding to non-profit B.C. literacy organizations such as Decoda Literacy Solutions, Canucks for Education Centre and the Vancouver Public Library Foundation, which provide unique family, children and immigrant literacy programming that help those in need better live their lives. We sincerely thank the B.C. government for their continued outstanding support of this year’s Raise-a-Reader campaign and for being such a key partner in helping build a strong literacy community.”

Learn More:

BC’s Education Plan: WWW.BCEDPLAN.CA

Raise-a-Reader: www.raiseareader.com

Media Contacts:

Government Communications and Public Engagement
Ministry of Education
250 356-5963