Volume 10, Issue 50, Week of December 16, 2013
Saskatoonʼs REAL Community Newspaper
READ
See inside for the Saskatoon Express Autozone Pgs 16-24
Saskatoon
Carm Michalenko knows the value of literacy and education (Photo by Sandy Hutchinson)
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Getting a READ on adult literacy
hen Carm Michalenko moved to Canada. Italian was the main discovered READ Saskatoon, it language in our home until I started going was like love at first sight. to school in Saskatoon.” “I had gone with others in the business She attended St. Goretti Elementary communications field to conduct a miniSchool for two years, then St. Gerard workshop with READ Saskatoon. I was so School, E.D. Feehan High School, gained impressed by the passion of Sheryl Harrow a bachelor of commerce degree from the and Mavis McPhee. I told them to tell me University of Saskatchewan and a master’s more. Before I knew it I was on their board degree in business from the University of of directors,” said Michalenko, who is the Regina. community relations manager at Affinity “I knew all too well the importance Credit Union. of literacy and education. It is After joining the board through education that one is in 2006, she quickly became empowered. Crossing paths chairperson of the Peter with READ was a sign for me Gzowski golf tournament, to do something about literacy. which is READ’s biggest We knew that 42 per cent of fundraiser. She filled the adults were struggling with low position for five years. She was literacy.” elected as READ’s chair of She took up the challenge the board from 2009 through of a national golf tournament. 2012. While in that role, she There was one being held was instrumental in overseeing in every province and the shifts at READ. Those included Northwest Territories, but there People adopting a three-year strategic wasn’t one in Saskatchewan. business plan and moving the “I find myself often driving organization towards being proactive in the bus. I believe you cannot do things determining its path. alone. So I created an incredible team Now as past-chair, her vision for a to organize the tournament and begin financial literacy program is coming to life spreading the hidden issue of literacy to through grant support from TD Financial. the corporate sector. New as well is a three-year partnership “There was an awareness of how much with Affinity Credit Union for a provincial the Gzowski tournaments supported program. literacy in Canada, but we had never gone “That first meeting with Sheryl and directly to the people of Saskatoon. There Mavis was a huge light-bulb moment for was some fear of the unknown. Would me,” said Michalenko. “I felt an immediate corporations respond? Would golfers pull to the literacy cause.” enter? How do you choose a golf course? It’s an interesting relationship, Even how do you predict the weather in considering that for the first five years of September? Michalenko’s life, English was not the “As we went out into the public, the language used by her family. social and economic impact of how the “I was born in Italy, and when I was tournament would help literacy and affect two years old my working-class parents our clients drew an amazing response,”
NED POWERS
said Michalenko, noting the first tournament raised $20,000. It has raised $200,000 since its inception. She charted the course for the business plan with a newly-engaged board of directors. She knew she could build on READ’s leadership and well-respected reputation in providing quality literacy programs to individuals, families and work places. “Demographics in our community are changing rapidly. We grow to meet the evolving definition of literacy and the needs of our adults, families and communities. We are reminded that having good literacy skills makes it possible to learn all other skills. Literacy is an essential skill. It represents a diverse set of inter-related skills that enable an individual to gain access to information, acquire knowledge, learn, understand and communicate in a variety of settings,” she said. Drawing on a number of sources, including surveys and learner impact research, Michalenko set a number of priorities. Among them were exploring new partnerships and market opportunities, strengthening the profile, reputation and brand awareness, and collaborating with other organizations to enhance public dialogue and influence innovation. There was also the sad reality of infrastructure, having space that is accessible to those who need the service. “It takes great courage for a learner to make that first step, and having the accessible space is the key to supporting them.” Now there is a new partnership with the Kinsmen Club of Club of Saskatoon to develop a first-ever Community Learning Commons for Saskatoon. “Our vision is that this innovative space
will provide new efficiencies, enhance resources and lower costs to the non-profit partners,” said Michalenko. One of the newest thrusts is READ entering a new three-year partnership with Affinity Credit Union to try and improve the financial capabilities of many of its clients. Before Affinity signed on, READ delivered 48 workshops to more than 300 people from within 28 organizations on a shoestring budget. Before attending the workshops, 49 per cent struggled to pay monthly bills, 32 per cent spent beyond their means, 63 per cent wanted more control over their spending habits, 69 per cent did not put aside money in a savings account, and 64 per cent wanted to know how to create a budget. Three months after attending the workshops, 68 per cent started a family budget, 44 per cent changed their spending habits, 46 per cent starting taking steps to repair their credit, and 32 per cent opened an RSSP. “The partnership is all about building the essential skills in financial literacy, getting families to stick with it, measure it and succeed.” Harrow, who is executive director of READ, said “the presence of people like Carm helps people face reality by drawing them into the action. She makes things happen. Under her leadership there has been a trust in the room that things will happen. In my 12 years with READ, I couldn’t have grown my skills without her guidance.” Harrow adds that 87 per cent of READ long-term learners have reached their goals, many are entering Kelsey SIAST and the University of Saskatchewan, and 80 per cent of adults and families are changing their circumstances in employment fields.