As the school year gains momentum, we continue to work with community partners in our commitment to nurturing young minds, fostering a love for learning, and providing opportunities that will empower our youth to reach their full potential. We couldn't do it without the steadfast support of our dedicated volunteers, donors, and partners, and we express our heartfelt gratitude to each and every one of you.

Spotlight on Saturday Morning Literacy Club

In the heart of the Saturday Morning Literacy Club (SMLC), there exists a vibrant community of dedication and enthusiasm, where the magic of learning unfolds behind the scenes.

Our Fall 2023 curriculum is designed to ignite the flames of knowledge and communication in young minds, and the passionate educators and volunteers that make the program a reality.

Behind the scenes, SMLC is a hive of activity, with staff and volunteers pouring their heart into nurturing the next generation of confident, articulate, and socially conscious individuals. Our dedicated team works tirelessly to craft an engaging and thoughtful curriculum, implementing the new Ontario Language Curriculum and weaving in essential social justice standards. Through debate and speech workshops, literature, community circles, and interactive activities, they create a safe and inclusive space where children not only develop their public speaking skills but also learn to embrace their identities and respect the diversity of others.

Hannan Yousaf, Program Assistant and former program participant shares:

"Being a part of SMLC has been an important step towards giving back to our community. I continue to be a part of SMLC because of the profound impact it has had on me and many children from the community. I remember going to SMLC in my youth and having a fantastic time learning and staying active. Now, many years later, I am a program assistant who works with staff to provide the same fantastic experience for the youth of today."

2023 Impact of Our Toronto Programs

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A Volunteer's Journey

Margaret Whewall's journey with Get Ahead began in an unexpected way.

She first learned about Peter Oliver and the Leacock Foundation through a friend who was the principal of a school in Toronto that benefited from the Triangle of Hope program, a Leacock initiative. What was initially supposed to be a one-time adventure in South Africa turned into a 16-year-long commitment that continues to inspire everyone around her. She had been warned by friends that South Africa would steal a piece of the heart and that it certainly did!

During her initial visits to Get Ahead from 2007 to 2009, Margaret worked on remedial English with students in grades 4 to 7. However, it was her expertise in kindergarten teaching, honed during her years in Toronto that led her to the Grade R class – the South African equivalent of kindergarten – in 2010. Margaret found her true calling here, working with the little ones and witnessing the excitement when they grasped a new concept. The spark of understanding in the children's eyes was all the motivation she needed.

In the Grade R class, Margaret's volunteer work is incredibly diverse. She reads stories to the children, engages in various activities, and sets up learning centers, ensuring that the children have a stimulating and nurturing environment to learn and grow.

Returning to Get Ahead year after year has allowed Margaret to witness the growth and development of the children she's worked with over time. She cherishes the moments when former students approach her on the playground or in the hallways to catch up and share their progress. These connections exemplify the profound impact she has had on their lives.

Throughout her years of volunteering, Margaret has seen Get Ahead grow and evolve. The physical transformation of the school, from the factory building to the Primary School buildings and the College additions, speaks to Get Ahead’s unwavering dedication to education. Get Ahead is indeed the "little engine that could," working tirelessly to provide quality education to the children and their families.

Margaret's association with Get Ahead serves as a testament to the profound influence that volunteerism can have on both individuals and the communities they serve. Since her initial introduction to the organization in 2007, she has become an indispensable contributor to Get Ahead's mission.

Get Ahead continues to thrive, thanks to the commitment of individuals like Margaret, who dedicates her time, skills, and heart to making a difference in the world.

Annual Leacock Debate

Basketball took it for the win!

With your generosity, we raised over $205,000 for literacy and leadership programs in Toronto and on the Eastern Cape of South Africa.

Click HERE for event photos.

Are you interested in getting involved with Leacock or the Debate? Join us on the planning committee for 2024. Email Jessica Murphy at jessica@leacockfoundation.org to sign up.

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