Project Literacy in the Central Okanagan Hosts Annual Raise-a-Reader Fundraiser – Okanagan

The Project Literacy Central Okanagan Society will host its annual Raise-a-Reader BBQ fundraiser on Wednesday.

The fundraiser will take place from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Landmark District courtyards in Kelowna.

Project Literacy says the funds raised will be used to provide free literacy support for children as well as immigrants from Ukraine, Iran and Syria.

“Refugees from Ukraine are now our largest ethnic group of learners,” said Paul Zuurbier, executive director of Project Literacy.

“They really want to learn our language to do well here. The challenge is that we just don’t have enough volunteer tutors. We have over 30 people on our waiting list. That’s the most we’ve ever had.

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Project Literacy has been providing literacy support to low-income Canadians, immigrants and refugees since its founding in 1986.

Project Literacy also has volunteers who read to children in grades 1-4 twice a week.

« We provide individual assistance, which is quite rare these days, » Zuurbier said. « This allows each tutor to customize their lessons according to the needs of the learners. »

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