Literacy Nipissing has been in the news a LOT lately.
They made headlines when they were impacted by December's devastating downtown fire, then again when they resumed services thanks to YES Employment providing space, and yet again when they announced their new future home will be 204 Main Street East in the coming weeks.
But many would say they should also make the news for the good work they do.
Vandra McQuarrie is Literacy Nipissing's Executive Director. She says they're doing much more than helping with grammar or spelling - they're often essentially changing lives.
"We offer upgrading services to the citizens of Nipissing - from North Bay to Mattawa. We help adults upgrade their reading, writing, math and computer skills in order to find long term meaningful employment or return to post-secondary school," she explains.
In addition to providing their regular services during their fire-related transition, they were kept busy providing reassurances to their worried clients.
"Many of our students were very concerned about how the fire would affect their learning. Many of our students feel secure here and we had to reassure them that we would not give up on their learning but it would just be in a different place. We were contacted on social media constantly about how we were and were we going to start again. I met crying students in the mall who were so upset that we lost everything. We spent most of Christmas reassuring students that it would take time to start up again but we would never give up on them," adds McQuarrie.
The centre operates by using government funding as well as local fundraising initiatives.
"We are funded by the Ministry of Labour, Training and Skill Development. We also have fundraisers periodically to help raise funds. Our community has been so generous to us already with money and supplies. We will be forever thankful for this kindness shown to us. If anyone would still like to donate, you can go to our website - www.literacynipissing.ca - and give by using the 'Donate Now' button at the top of the page."
The organization has 4 staff and 12 volunteers, and is in its 42nd year of operation in North Bay and now runs services in Mattawa as well. They're kept busy with new clients accessing free services on a continual ongoing basis, and "currently we are working with 40-plus learners, and we operate under a continuous intake model so that number fluctuates daily. We serve over 150 learners every year," she adds.
McQuarrie says she enjoys her work because it's more than a job, it's a chance to truly help people. She says the feedback they receive from clients makes it all worthwhile, saying "for the most part, we hear a heartfelt 'thank you'. Some students didn't believe that they could actually attain a goal such as getting a GED. Others who are working to improve themselves also tell us how proud they are of themselves for accomplishing the goal."
