Deputy Premier and Education Minister Gordon Wyant congratulated Renae Lech of Gravelbourg on 小蓝视频 Saskatchewan's winner of the 2020 Council of the Federation鈥檚 Literacy Award.聽
Lech was recognized for her selfless and dedicated volunteer work with Great Plains College.聽
鈥淚 want to thank Renae for her dedicated volunteer work helping to promote and advocate for family literacy,鈥� Wyant said. 鈥淰olunteers like Renae are helping to improve the literacy rates for our residents and newcomers, which is vital to enhancing the lives of Saskatchewan people.鈥澛�
The Council of the Federation Literacy Award (COFLA) recognizes outstanding achievement, innovative practice and excellence in literacy in each of Canada鈥檚 provinces and territories.聽This is the second year Saskatchewan recognized an outstanding family literacy volunteer, who has contributed significant knowledge, time and expertise to assist literacy learners, communities or organizations.聽
In 2015, Renae began working as a volunteer at Great Plains College in the English as an Additional Language (EAL) program in Gravelbourg.聽
Her work positively impacted the lives of many newcomers and their families and since she began volunteering, attendance has improved due to her sincere interest in the lives of newcomers and their families.聽
鈥淭he support for our EAL Learners has definitely improved since Renae started volunteering,鈥� EAL program coordinator Bula Ghosh said.聽鈥淎s a direct result of her hard work, we have seen an increase in enrollment and learner retention. Every year, more and more learners in our community are benefitting from her hard work and commitment.鈥澛�
Renae is fostering English-language skills and deepening relationships between community members by organizing social events for newcomers and their families in order to practise English on a more social basis.
She also works to connect newcomers and their families to the community through the completion of volunteer work and she supports newcomers in completing job applications.聽
鈥淚t warms my heart to be recognized for something that I love to do,鈥� Lech said. 鈥淚 love helping others and I am fortunate to volunteer with the most wonderful learners of the Gravelbourg EAL program.聽I am truly blessed to be a part of their literacy journey.聽Thank you to the Council of the Federation and the Ministry of Education for this great honour.鈥澛�
This marked the 16th year of presenting the COFLA award across Canada. A complete list of previous recipients of the COFLA Award in Saskatchewan is available .
