Parkdale Project Read

Laying the foundation

1975 – 1985 The Parkdale branch of the Toronto Public Library was instrumental in developing Toronto’s literacy movement. The Parkdale Library was a founding member of:

• The Basic Reading Materials Committee of the Toronto Public Library,
• The Ontario Library Association Literacy Guild, and
• The Metro Toronto Movement for Literacy.

In the summers of the late ’70s, the library hired literacy workers for literacy outreach projects and to develop adult literacy material.

By 1980, many people who lived in Parkdale were asking the library for help with reading and writing. The library responded by creating a literacy program called Project Read. One-to-one tutoring was initially the main method of learning, but drop-in sessions were offered by 1983. About 35 learner-tutor pairs were meeting in the library every week to work on reading and writing.

Three volunteers received a federal grant in 1984 to start another literacy program – the Parkdale Literacy Project. The two programs worked together to provide more drop-ins and better outreach, and to put together Parkdale Writes, an annual magazine of learner writings.
Parkdale Project Read is formed

1986 Project Read and the Parkdale Literacy Project formally joined together to become one organization – Parkdale Project Read. It was incorporated, registered as a charity and elected a board of directors.

1987 Parkdale Project Read’s first learner-written book, My Story, was published. Over the next few years, programming expanded to include several small learning groups.

1991 The Welcome Group was started to reduce the waiting list of learners and to make the program more accessible.

1992 The Literacy Café was introduced as a regular special event, providing more learning opportunities, community building and outreach.

1993 An anti-discrimination committee formed in order to develop educational workshops and develop an anti-discrimination policy. The policy was approved and established after two years of work.

1994 The Community Bridging Initiative was established to link basic literacy students with academic upgrading. Parkdale Project Read and four other community literacy groups entered into an agreement with George Brown College to bridge learners.

In the mid-1990s, decreases in funding led to a reduction of staff and of program hours. Volunteers began to take on additional responsibilities, like teaching the Seniors Group and the Writing Group.

1996 Faced with further funding cuts, the Restructuring Committee was formed to review program services and operations. The Restructuring Project lead to the creation of a new staff position, Financial Administrator/Fundraiser, and regular fundraising began. The Computer Group was also started as a result of the project.

Parkdale Project Read celebrated its tenth anniversary at the 1996 Annual General Meeting. Metro Councillor David Miller presented a commemorative plaque and certificates were handed out to learners and volunteers in recognition of their hard work. Since then, certificates of recognition have become a regular part of annual general meetings.

1998 Due to renovations at the Parkdale Library in 1998, Parkdale Project Read moved to a temporary location at the Metro Labour Education Centre.

1999-2001 Parkdale Project Read continued to provide literacy services at their new location at the Metro Labour Education Centre, as well as at the Parkdale Library once the renovations were complete.

Many changes occurred during this time. Parkdale Project Read began a process called Operational Planning that took the time to assess and plan the future of the program. New research and directives were initiated, including special projects that explored the effects of trauma and violence on learning.

These projects included “Women’s Success: Self Direction and Learning to Learn” and “Normalizing the Needs of Trauma Survivors.” Parkdale Project Read has incorporated the findings of these projects into their learning and has made every effort to create a safe, affirming and supportive learning environment for everyone.

2002 Parkdale Project Read moved to its own storefront location in the heart of Parkdale at 160A Springhurst Ave. The move was the realization of a shared dream.

Since settling into the space on Springhurst Ave., Parkdale Project Read has blossomed into a vibrant program, including extended hours and many new afternoon and evening groups.

There is now a Child and Youth Worker on-site who provides childcare and homework help for school-aged children of learners. The program has collaborated with the Parkdale Community Health Centre in providing on-site counselling for learners and tutors. Parkdale Project Read has also branched out to the community and started partnerships with other local Parkdale organizations, like CultureLink.

This marks the beginning of a new era for Parkdale Project Read, one that benefits learners and their community.