Nova Scotia celebrated International Literacy Day yesterday by honouring citizens who have made outstanding contributions to learning.
Glades Lodge, a Halifax long-term care centre for the elderly, earned the Workplace Education: Champion Ambassador Award.
“The credit really goes to the whole team,” said the lodge’s Anna Ordinelli. The facility promotes literacy through computers, education and communication courses.
Ordinelli added teammate Donelda Fougere won the Alex MacDonald Ambassador Award at the same event in 2006. The rest of the team is Bonnie Kay-Griffin, Louise Riley, Judy Davis, Jennifer Sullivan, Savita Rosenow and Karla Malloy.
“The history of leadership is strong,” Ordinelli said. “Education is power, and we have to invest in our employee, ourselves and each other to make our workplace a better place.”
Premier Darrell Dexter handed out the Council of the Federation of Literacy Award to Blaise Sullivan of Antigonish. Sullivan left school at age 15, returning 30 years later. After three years of hard work, he’s now a champion for literacy.
“Education and training are the key ingredients to maintaining and growing a strong economy in our province,” Dexter said. “Each and every one of you recognize the importance of literacy and are living proof of the benefits lifelong learning can bring.”
Sullivan, who owns Henry’s Hairstyling, told the Dartmouth audience how a school teacher once asked him to read from a book. After he finished an entertaining story, she said: “That’s great, Blaise, but now can you read what’s written there?”
He couldn’t.
“The fear I used to feel every time I thought about school is replaced with pride and a sense of accomplishment,” he said. “I now have the confidence I need to grow my business and further my education, and that’s a great feeling.”
Also honoured was the Preston Area Learning Skills Society, which was given the Seniors’ Literacy and Learning Partnership Award.
