The YWCA Montreal Literacy Centre offers two literacy programs developed specifically for women and their families:
Words for Women - Literacy tutoring for women 16 yrs or older:
514-866-9941 ext. 278
ABC en famille - Family literacy: 514-866-9941 ext.431
Words for Women
Program Description:
A literacy program offered free of charge in French and English. Each learner is paired with a volunteer tutor. This individualized approach is designed to meet the needs and learning pace of each participant.
General Objective:
Offer women the tools to improve literacy, so they may increase their personal and economic autonomy.
Specific Objectives:
- Help women acquire reading, writing and arithmetic skills to meet their personal needs;
- Present reading, writing and calculation tools that will facilitate daily activities;
- Offer a supportive learning environment which will encourage self-confidence and boost self-esteem.
Participants have benefited in many ways.
They have:
- Found better jobs;
- Completed academic programs;
- Obtained their Canadian citizenship;
- Received the Lieutenant Governor’s Prize for Literacy;
- Written and published short stories;
- Become more involved in their communities.
Fundamental Values:
Mutual support, autonomy, perseverance, empathy and respect.
Admission Criteria:
- Women who have completed less than 9 years of schooling;
- Women 16 years or older.
Priority will be given to low-income women.
Tutor Training: Tutors undergo preliminary and ongoing training
Targeted area: Greater Montreal region
Our Partners:
Literacy Foundation, Centre de documentation sur l’éducation des adultes et la condition féminine (CDÉACF), Literacy Volunteers of Quebec (LVQ), Centre for Literacy.
Contact:
Words for Women
514.866.9941 ext. 278
centrealpha@ydesfemmesmtl.org
ABC en famille
Program Description:
This program supports families who wish to introduce their preschool children to the world of reading and writing in a relaxed and pleasurable atmosphere.
Various educational and fun workshops are offered in the family home or in small groups in the community. Games, stories, crafts, songs and introductory exercises in reading and writing are on the program.
Two types of parent/child workshops are offered free of charge.
In the family home: A community worker will visit the family home one hour per week to facilitate activities that reflect everyday life and the specific needs of each family.
In small groups: A facilitator organizes dynamic workshops in collaboration with primary schools and community centres.
General Objective:
To prevent illiteracy by offering parents stimulating tools and activities to help their children develop attitudes and skills they will need before they begin their formal education in reading and writing.
Specific Objectives:
- Demystify the world of reading and writing;
- Develop and encourage an interest in reading and writing;
- Recognize and strengthen parental skills;
- Facilitate the transition from home to school;
- Encourage family time and togetherness.
Some typical activities:
Role-playing the postman, creating a grocery list, role-playing children’s stories, treasure hunts, bath time activities and much more.
Each of these activities includes games, stories and crafts.
Intended population:
- Parents who have difficulty reading and writing;
- Parents who wish to prevent their children having difficulty learning to read and write;
- Families with children between 3 and 5 years of age;
- Available in the following Montreal Districts: St. Henri, Little Burgundy, Point St. Charles, Ville Émard, Côte St. Paul and Verdun.
Our Partners:
Centre de documentation sur l’éducation des adultes et de la condition feminine (CDEACF), Table de concertation Famille et Petite Enfance de Saint-Henri et Petite Bourgogne, CLSC Saint-Henri, Clinique communautaire de Pointe Saint-Charles, Fondation Lucie et André Chagnon, Private fondations, CLSC Verdun, Schools of the CSDM and CSMB.
Contact:
ABC en famille
Tel.: 514.866.9941 ext. 431
abc@ydesfemmesmtl.org
ABC en famille: ext. 431
Head of community services: ext. 253
Become a Volunteer
Those who are interested in becoming a volunteer or a volunteer tutor at the Literacy Centre, are invited to contact the Coordinator of Volunteer Services at (514) 866-9941, extension 513. The training sessions for new Tutors are offered every April and October.