Adults Reading Across Canada Project

The Word On The Street is committed to improving the reading skills and functional literacy of adult Canadians. In late 2007, across Canada, The Word On The Street festival organizers developed local literacy programs as part of the Adults Reading Across Canada project, supported by the Office of Literacy and Essential Skills.

In Toronto, The Word On The Street partnered with the Metro Toronto Movement for Literacy (MTML) to produce the third in a series of story collections by adult literacy learners.

Adults Reading Across Canada, in cooperation with local adult literacy programs in Toronto, presented creative writing workshops for adults who are learning basic reading and writing skills. The goal was to provide an opportunity for self-expression while practicing reading and editing skills. Those who attended these workshops were encouraged to submit a story for consideration for the story collection. The best stories were presented in a book that was launched at The Word On The Street festival in Toronto in 2007.

For more information about this project or The Word on the Street's other literacy projects, please contact Nicola Dufficy or Amanda Shamshudeen Festival Co-managers at The Word On The Street Toronto, or call 416-504-7241.

Literacy Programs

While literacy is a right for everyone, many struggle throughout life without basic reading, writing, speaking, listening and numeracy skills. This journey does not have to be undertaken alone. There are countless organizations around the city to aid Torontonians in their pursuit of a literate life. Leading the way is the Metro Toronto Movement for Literacy, a regional network that links over 200 individual and organizational members from across the City of Toronto to support and promote adult literacy.

Find a literacy program in your area, today!

STELLAA:  Stella's Training, Education, Literacy Learning, and Academic Assistance
Aims to help enlighten and educate the youth of Africa by shipping donated books to the continent of Africa and building education facilities.

Art Bar Poetry Series
Year round on Tuesdays

Festival of Storytelling
March 25 - April 3, 2011

gritLIT Hamilton Writers Festival
April 8-11, 2010

The Scream Literary Festival
July 6-12 2010

Eden Mills Writers' Festival
September 17-19, 2010

Words Alive Literary Festival

September 18, 2010

The Word On The Street
September 26, 2010

International Festival of Authors
October 20-October 30, 2010

BookFest Windsor
November 4-November 6, 2010

Open Book Toronto
For information about local literary events such as readings, launches, lectures and more check out Open Book Toronto: Your connection to Toronto's vibrant literary scene.