A better call to attend tomorrow’s Literature for Life fundraiser than I ever could have made myself

If you’ve been following this blog lately, then you know I’ve been talking and talking and talking and talking and talking about the fundraiser that Literature for Life is hosting here in Toronto tomorrow night. In fact, if you were sick of hearing me talk about it by now, I wouldn’t blame you.

Why? Because up until now, I’ve only been giving you the “relatively lucky young white guy who happens to be on the organization’s board of directors” argument for buying a ticket to tomorrow night’s event. And frankly, that’s my fault. I’ve spent the better part of the year telling people that this is an organization that everyone in town would support if only they knew about it – and yet I haven’t really been getting to the heart of the great work this organization does, because I’m not in much of a position to do so.

So instead, let me quote from a young woman who can say she’s directly benefited directly from Literature for Life’s reading program, and who was more than happy to offer the following testimonial to that effect. I invite you to take the time to read it – and once you’ve done so, I hope you’ll drop a line about buying tickets to tomorrow night’s fundraiser and/or supporting Literature for Life in any number of other ways.

“In 2001 I was what most mothers don’t want for their daughters; 18, pregnant and on welfare without a high school diploma, plans for my future or a place to call my own. After leaving a violent relationship and moving from one squalid apartment to another, I figured I owed it to this little person I was carrying to start moving forward (or at least find a place without cockroaches to bring him home to). So I packed up my things, which didn’t amount to much, and moved to Massey Centre, a supportive housing program for young moms. I didn’t know where I was going in life but I knew I didn’t want to stay where I was.

“One night, a few other girls at Massey invited me down to a book group and to be honest, I went because I heard that there were cookies and free books and I didn’t really have anything better to do. To this day, I am so happy I did. At the book circle I met Jo and she didn’t treat me like another stupid girl who got herself knocked up by some loser. Jo treated all of us like young women who were on our way to something big and exciting and like being there was the first step to something incredible, and she was right – it was.

“I attended book circles at Massey Centre regularly and when Literature for Life secured its first office space on Parliament Street, it became like a second home to me. I participated in book circles where we read books about phenomenal women and circumstances that we could relate to; these books showed us more of the world so that we could dream bigger! What I loved most was the writing we did; through poetry, journaling and other writing activities, Jo challenged us to use our voices. After years of having to be silent and keeping secrets because of shame, guilt and fear, it is nothing short of amazing when you find your voice and to have an opportunity to use it and feel safe.

“Some of the best memories during the first years of my son’s life are experiences that took place because of Literature for Life. We read together all the time and he built a collection of books before he could read himself. I learned that reading to your child is so much more that just words, it’s holding them and taking a trip away from the challenges that mothers face every day and escaping to a place where you can imagine a better life.

“Literature for Life helped me break the cycle. It made me hungry for more and taught me that I deserved it. I went back to school and then continued on with post-secondary education, moved into a career helping students be successful in their studies and recently bought my first home. My son turned 9 this week and included on his birthday wishlist was a Gift Card to Chapters; this inspired me to reconnect with Literature for Life and let them know how important the work they do has been for my family.

“Congratulations on 10 years of making lives better!”

That’s an honest testimonial about an incredible organization in our community that genuinely needs your support. Please take a moment to think about doing anything and everything you can to ensure that Literature for Life can continue to make such a fundamental difference in the lives of countless families in our city!

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