Increased supports for literacy programs in B.C. will help more children access services to develop skills that extend beyond the classroom.

“Reading can take you places far beyond the pages of a book,” said Anne Kang, Minister of Municipal Affairs. “Not only can it open doors to fantastical new worlds, reading also lets us better understand and connect with our own world and the people around us. Through the Raise-a-Reader campaign, we’re helping to develop dreamers and changemakers in the next generation.”

The B.C. government is donating $500,000 to the Raise-a-Reader campaign, which supports literacy by increasing awareness and raising money to fund community-based programs throughout British Columbia. Since 2017, the Province has donated $3.5 million to the campaign.

“Raise-a-Reader literacy activities in food security, physical activity and nurturing a love for reading are a powerful catalyst to build strong communities and help people of all ages enjoy lifelong learning,” said Sandra Lee, executive director, Decoda Literacy Solutions.

Literacy skills play a crucial role in people’s lives, giving them a chance to access and understand health and wellness information, apply for jobs and make informed decisions. Reading with children while they are young provides shared learning experiences for both children and caregivers, and gives caregivers important tools to support their children’s future learning.

The annual Postmedia Raise-a-Reader campaign, Sept. 22-29, 2023, is run in partnership with Decoda Literacy Solutions, which manages the donations and provides reading materials, training and funds to help community-based literacy programs. Funds from the campaign support the further development of reading programs in community organizations, public libraries and schools.

Quick Facts:

• The Raise-a-Reader fundraising and awareness campaign was created by the Vancouver Sun newspaper in 1997 to support family literacy programs in B.C.
• The Raise-a-Reader campaign has generated more than $22 million to support literacy programs in B.C.
• The Province also provides $2.2 million annually for literacy supports through Decoda Literacy Solutions, along with a recently announced one-time grant of $1 million, and $65,000 annually to the BC Summer Reading Club.
• The Ministry of Post-Secondary Education Future Skills provides $3.4 million annually to community adult literacy programs across the province.

Learn More:

To find out more or donate, visit: https://vancouversun.com/news/local-news/raise-a-reader-bc-how-to-donate-help