FILLING THE GAPS
Literal Change is a Canadian charity that believes everyone has the right to literacy education
400
We’ve helped over 400 students on their literacy journey.
1-1
We provide free one-to-one literacy support with our over 40 volunteers.
3,000
Over 3,000 remedial literacy sessions have been offered across the GTA.
10+
We work with 10+ community agencies to support system- impacted clients.
OUR MISSION
Literacy is one of the key stepping-stones to gaining social and economic freedom for system-impacted individuals. At Literal Change, we know that literacy is a right — not a privilege. That is why we are committed to bringing effective literacy education to marginalized communities across Toronto and the GTA.
“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.
20%
of children weren’t meeting the Ontario standard for literacy prior to the pandemic.
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
E-LEARNING
COURSE
ADULT LITERACY
PROGRAM
PEN PAL
PROGRAM
HOW TO MAKE AN IMPACT IN YOUR SCHOOL
e-Learning Literacy Specialist Course
Gain access to 100s of lesson plans that teach the foundations of reading and writing, and 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 over 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.”
ANNUAL REPORTS
Thank you to our funders!
Registered Charitable Status #: 74647 6720 RR 0001