In celebration of International Literacy Day, PWC held its 10th annual Power of Words Breakfast on September 6 in the Unitarian Fellowship Hall at Heartwood House. Like previous years, the event showed us how important literacy is in the lives of the adults we help and just how strong and inspiring our community is!
CTV Ottawa Sports Director Terry Marcotte has been our emcee at this event since nearly the beginning and did not disappoint! With his sense of humour and professionalism, he guided us through the morning and made each and every speaker feel at ease and welcome. Local group Natural Keys played the opening song and set the mood for fun and relaxation with their reggae-inspired music. Four PWC learners bravely went up to the podium and spoke about their life journey and experience in our program. Eyes were teary and real connection was forged as a result of their powerful words. Our special guest speaker was Toronto Star Senior Reporter Tonda MacCharles, and she continued the feeling of connection and inspiration with her thoughts on education and literacy and what they mean to her and the global community. We closed the event with our raffle of recent Canadian titles, and many who attended happily went home with new reading material!
The Newport Restaurant provided the delicious hot breakfast buffet.
PWC would like to thank the local businesses and individuals who sponsored this event:
Bonini & Associates
Borden Ladner Gervais
CUPE
Grass Roots Press
Hunt Club Volkswagen
Louis’ Restaurant & Pizzeria
McCay Duff
Newport Restaurant
Orca Book Publishers
Ottawa Employment Hub
Ottawa Life Magazine
Perfect Books
Rideau-Ottawa Valley Learning Network
PWC would also like to thank Ottawa Life Magazine for providing free magazines to attendees, Grass Roots Press and Orca Publishers for donating reading material for our learners, and finally, the authors and publishers who generously donated to our raffle. We would also like to thank all who spoke or participated in our event in some way. It is because of you that our literacy community can continue to grow and reach those who need it.
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