Barb Rahm (Recipient of the Co-operator's Learner Achievement Award 2007)

-Hi, my name is Barbara

-I’m very proud to be standing here today.

-This award really means a lot to me.

-Because you see, as a child and as an adult I never would have thought that I would ever be good enough at anything to win an award.

-I felt so stupid and different because I thought I had a half a brain.

-As I have a learning disability which makes it hard for me to learn how to do these things.

-Not being able to read or write affected even the smaller things in life…

-I was never able to send, or read, birthday and Christmas cards.

-I managed to graduate with my grade 12, but I am not proud of this as I feel that I am not a true graduate.

-I knew that I would never reach my goals and dreams not knowing how to read and write.

-The things that would really bother me were…

-Not being able to read bedtime stories to my little boy, Dalton.

-Reading medicine directions, addresses, newsletters

-All the little things that most people take for granted. I could not do without help.

-I remember how I used to read stories to my son. I would look at the pictures and used them to make up my own story.

-I tried to hide my reading problem from my son. But his father would read the same stories to him and as he got older he started to notice the difference. The day came to tell my boy my secret, Mommy couldn’t read.

-I saw a T.V commercial about a program that could help me…. READ Saskatoon

-So I called READ that same day and I was matched with my tutor, Geraldine.

-Geraldine and I meet once a week and with her help I am reading and writing much better now.

-READ Saskatoon had a program called Project Ready, that I am happy to say that I was apart of.

-In Project Ready I learned many things, but I will just mention some of my favorites….

-C.P.R, Foodsafe level one, Parent Effectiveness training, Conflict Resolutions and the CHEP cooking program

-My life has changed in so many ways since contacting READ. I now have way more confidence in my self. And because of this I have learned some good communication skills, parenting skills and relationship skills. I can now sit and read a story or book to my son.

-I was worried when Project Ready ended. I wondered what I was going to do next.

-But I am happy to tell you that with the support of Tara, Mavis and Sheryl from READ Saskatoon I am in a wonderful new program that is helping me at my level.

-I have improved so much and I will not give up and I know I will reach my dreams.

-In the future it is my plan to be confident enough to be able to do anything that I want to do. Like college and a career. You know, where I make lots of money….hahaha

-Thank you again to READ Saskatoon, Geraldine my tutor, my family and all the other people who have supported me in my journey.

Li Zhang

I am so much more confident. Before I wouldn't have answered the phone.

My tutor and READ Saskatoon helped with cultural differences.

Children are treated so differently here. My tutor and I have read materials about my ailments. She has helped me learn how to better pronounce words so my doctor can better understand my questions.

Tony Gauthier

I am in Gabriel Dumont. My tutors did an awesome job getting ready for school. I wouldn’t be passing my midterms without their support.

I am pretty proud of myself for learning to read.

I have more friends now that I can read.

I moved from a noisy place and quit smoking so I could learn better.

I can buy my own groceries now that I can read.

I got a tutor for another guy.

Meijuan Sun

I want to work towards the TOEFEL but I need lots of help.

I communicate so much better. Before I didn’t even want to take phone calls. My manager has told me that my English has improved a lot. He told me he couldn’t understand me at all when I applied for the job. My relationships with my coworkers and supervisors have improved because we understand each other.

I feel good that I am learning but I am still not confident.

Stewart Stangby

I am so much better with my skills. I am more rounded in conversations and becoming much more comfortable.

I never read books or instructions before; I just guessed.

My coworkers and supervisors don’t know I’m taking lessons.

I’ll pick up pamphlets and flyers and read what’s going on. I follow the sheets at church. I even read the political stuff at the last election.

I feel good, but I know I have lots to learn.

My girlfriend is really pleased that I am learning to read better.

I want to read to my little guy. He knows I can read now to him. I have the skills.

My understanding of literacy has grown. I learned that literacy is for everyone.

Dorothy Headon

My friend suggested Kelsey and now I’m at Score. I just need my math and I’ll have grade twelve. Then I want to take a computer class. I mostly stay home knitting and crocheting. I’ve never been one to go out much. I felt like an outcast when I started going to the library (for tutoring). Now I feel like I fit in. I can help my daughter. I am a role model for her. She needs help, too. READ Saskatoon is the only one that has helped me get past Dick and Jane. It is the best part of my life.

Amy Huang

READ Saskatoon helped very much. My tutor even helped with my resume when I got my job. My tutor read over a presentation I made and it helped very much.

I feel better able to express what I want.

I feel more confident so I help other immigrants. I understand volunteering in Canada is very important.

I used to think literacy was just language.

Tim Marchant

I’m getting better but I’ve got some ways to go. I might go to school, yet.

I’ve improved my performance. Got a raise several times in five years. I can drive to work now that I’ve got a license.

I used to have a hard time understanding people, so I didn’t go to anything.

I’m an assistant coach in hockey.

I knew literacy was important but now I know it affects everything.

Kathy Aguilera

My reading skills became good enough for me to get into Kelsey. I got into the bridges program and graduated Grade Twelve.

I am more confident with a cash register.

My confidence affects all my relationships.

Because I learned to read I have been able to go to school and plan to be a cook at a nursing home. I love cooking.

I am also an Open Door volunteer now.

I managed to learned things that I found really challenging.

I am a lot more independent. I even travel quite a bit. I never knew I could do that.

I have a very supportive family. They are proud of me.

I was diagnosed with dyslexia at age 22 and really felt bad till I realized I could learn. It all started with READ Saskatoon.

Really important to challenge yourself because [literacy is] a day to day need.

I’ve improved my performance. Got a raise several times in five years. I can drive to work now that I’ve got a license.

I used to have a hard time understanding people, so I didn’t go to anything.

I’m an assistant coach in hockey. I knew literacy was important but now I know it affects everything.

Art Bentley

I could read more instructions including cleaning supply manuals. This is important for safety reasons.

I do think it is a good thing to improve your reading. It makes you think of more than yourself.

I’m going with a lady from Nova Scotia. She thinks it is pretty good that I went back to learning at my age.

Jinhe Wang

I am so much more confident to talk to others. Sometimes my son says my English is not good. But he says now I’m improving. He helps me because he knows I’m trying to learn.

Rita Moyah (Recipient of the Co-operator's Learner Achievement Award 2008)

Good afternoon everyone. My name is Rita Moyah and I would first like to thank READ Saskatoon for choosing me for the Learner Achievement Award. I am honoured and proud of myself for winning this award and for completing the Life Lesson program at Radius Community Centre which contributed to my success with literacy.

I am busy mother and grandmother who needs literacy for everyday activities. I love reading books to my kids and helping them with their homework. Also, I enjoy reading the newspaper and novels from time to time.

Back in the late 90’s I decided to upgrade my education, but struggled with communication skills, which had been a problem since I was a little girl. Having studied in a one room elementary school with a teacher who was responsible for grades one through six, my needs went unnoticed. Speaking in front of people was always my fear because I felt that no one could understand me, so I just wouldn’t talk. I kept to myself and didn’t have many friends. Eventually I decided I had to take classes to improve my speech as an adult.

Now I look back on my learning experiences and feel proud of myself for improving my speaking, reading, writing and math skills at Radius. I am more comfortable in a group setting and not as shy to share my opinions and concerns. My teachers, Wendy and Andrea helped me so much in learning and getting through this program. Without their guidance, I would not have accomplished as much.

I feel I have more skills to find employment and to continue lifelong learning. I am a more confident happier person because of what I have accomplished in Life Lessons. Thank you to the teachers and everyone who believed in me! I am honoured to accept this award.

Nataliia Pavlovska (Recipient of the READ Saskatoon PGI Learner Achievement Award, 2009)

Thank you for this award. I was very happy to find Read Saskatoon, so I could have the chance to learn English.

When I began with READ, I did not understand people and I could not speak with these people. But now, I can speak and understand better.

This is an Achievement award. So I would like to share with you my most recent achievement. One week ago I was working as a cleaner and dreaming about going to school. This Monday I was started going to school to learn English. So my dreams are beginning to come true. This would not be possible without you people and my tutor.

I am very grateful to Lynne. She help me study English. The lessons are always interesting and fun. We read, speak and listen together and do many exercises. I still have much to learn, so I hope to work a long time with Lynne and Read Saskatoon.