FILLING THE GAPS
Literal Change is a Canadian charity that believes everyone has the right to literacy education
Registered Charitable Status #: 74647 6720 RR 0001
600
We’ve helped over 600 students on their literacy journey.
1-1
We provide free one-to-one literacy support with over 40 volunteers.
1,300
Over 1,300 remedial literacy sessions have been offered across the GTA within the last 12 months.
10+
We work with 10+ community agencies to support system- impacted clients.
OUR MISSION
Literal Change is a Canadian charity founded on the belief that literacy is a fundamental human right, not a privilege. Our mission is to provide free, effective, and accessible remedial literacy education to individuals from marginalized and system-impacted communities across Toronto and the Greater Toronto Area. We focus on learners who have had limited access to educational support and who benefit from alternative, personalized approaches to learning. Our vision is a future where every person, regardless of background, circumstance, or income, has the literacy skills they need to fully participate in society, unlock opportunities, and achieve personal empowerment.
“If it weren’t for Literal Change, I’d still be reading just to get by - not to better myself and definitely not for fun.
Now, when I pick up a book, I find it hard to put it down.”
S. Richards
Literal Change Student, formerly incarcerated
THE IMPACT OF
THE LITERACY GAP
Research shows that adults who have inadequate literacy skills are more likely to have poorer overall health, lower salaries, and lower levels of participation in their community.
48%
of adult Canadians have literacy skills that fall below a high school level, which negatively affects their ability to function at work and in their personal lives.
17%
of Ontarians function at the lowest level, where they may, for example, be unable to read the dosage instructions on a medicine bottle.
30%
of Grade 3 students and 20% of Grade 6 students are not meeting the Ontario standards for literacy.
PROVIDING LITERACY TOOLS FOR LIFELONG LEARNING
- Literal Change offers free remedial literacy education in system-impacted communities.
- We effectively identify the gaps in a learner’s knowledge of the English language.
- We fill the gaps and support the acquisition of hard and soft skills.
“Literacy is defined as the ability to understand, evaluate, use and engage with written texts to participate in society, to achieve one’s goals, and to develop one’s knowledge and potential.”
ABOUT US
Started by two women in 2016, we deliver one-to-one educational programs in remedial literacy, English as a Second Language, and advanced language arts support in GED and high school upgrading. Our programs reach youth and adults from system-impacted communities all over the Greater Toronto Area, through schools, community agencies, probation offices, and detention centres.
What we offer
YOUTH LITERACY
PROGRAM
ADULT LITERACY
PROGRAM
THE LITERACY SPECIALIST CERTIFICATION,
BY LITERAL CHANGE
HOW TO MAKE AN IMPACT IN YOUR SCHOOL
e-Learning Literacy Specialist Course
Gain access to hundreds of reproducible lesson plans that teach the foundations of reading and writing. Learn the mechanics of teaching students to read from assessment to lesson delivery.
Literal Change is an official educational partner of the Toronto District School Board.
VOLUNTEER
Make a difference by joining our 40+ volunteers across the GTA!
“Watching my student improve with every lesson has been an immensely rewarding experience.
It feels good to know that I’m making a tangible difference in someone’s life. Plus, I love supporting an organization that works so hard to dismantle the barriers to education faced by marginalized youth.”
Thank you to our funders!
Registered Charitable Status #: 74647 6720 RR 0001