The Orillia and District Literacy Council (ODLC) has found a new home and sees the move as an opportunity to expand its reach and its identity.
“We’re really trying to get out there and meet people in the community, reintroduce ourselves and let them know what we do here,” said Tiffany Gordon-Paterson, the local ogranization's executive director.
She has her sights set on growth.
To help a larger number of learners, work needs to be done in numerous areas,. Those include increasing the number of staff and volunteers, offering more classes and upgrading resources, “to keep doing what we’re doing, going strong,” she said.
Since March, the ODLC has seen an increase in participation. It had six learners then. Now, 35 to 40 people use its services. There are seven volunteer tutors with the ODLC, with three more scheduled to join the team.
“We keep track of everything,” said January Fraser, ODLC program co-ordinator.
She has worked at the ODLC for seven years and tracks tutors’ hours with their learners, among other programming details.
But the need to relocate — their long-time home on Nottawasaga Street has been sold —- did not come without challenges.
“Rent these days is astronomical; everyone has the challenge of paying for rent,” said Gordon-Paterson.
Through teamwork and passion, the ODLC overcame that challenge. It will officially be located at the County of Simcoe hub at 255 West St. N., in either December or January.
This is the same location where the team plans to ramp things up with a Blingo Night Out fundraiser event on Oct. 19.
“We were very lucky to get accepted into the hub because you had to apply for it,” Gordon-Paterson said of the new facility run by the County of Simcoe. “They were looking specifically for a community partner and we kind of fit the bill, but we still needed to be able to afford it.”
She attributed the Blingo Night Out idea to her colleague, Shann Hales. However, it was the whole team that reached out to sponsors and got support from the community to organize one of the organization’s biggest events.
“We had a very lofty goal of raising over $30,000 through Blingo Night via sponsorship, ticket sales, donations and silent auction,” said Gordon-Paterson.
Although ambitious, they are hopeful and excited about the work they are doing and what still needs to be done. The importance of upholding a safe and comfortable space to learn is what keeps the team driven.
“We’re all learning all of the time,” said Gordon-Paterson.
The ODLC will introduce a used bookstore at its new location.
Shann Hales, the ODLC bookkeeper, noticed the effectiveness of a used bookstore at the literacy council in Midland and suggested it for the Orillia location. The idea was well received.
Gordon-Paterson envisions the bookstore with a dual purpose: It will provide an added service to the community as well as help the ODLC raise money.
Further growth plans include volunteer opportunities beyond tutoring. Gordon-Paterson noted there are many tasks to help with, including how youth can contribute to fundraisers.
“And we have a lot of fun together,” said Hales, looking forward to the work the team has ahead.
“When you have a small group, having a supportive group is important,” added Gordon-Paterson.
The new space is a big part of the plans the ODLC has set in motion. The team aims to increase its presence in the community and share the love of lifelong learning.
The many facets of its programs beyond literacy include cooking skills, math, computer skills and teaching how to work with new technology such as mobile devices.
Gordon-Paterson thinks a name change could be in its future as well. She views the work they do as upgrading programs as opposed to solely literary.
“Literacy has a bit of a negative connotation sometimes,” she said in an effort to recognize many of the learners are not illiterate.
“A lot of things are online now, so if the folks don’t know how to navigate around the whole internet system, it can be a challenge,” said Hales.
Gordon-Paterson credited the ODLC volunteers and board of directors for embracing the changes.
“We’ve had so much support … but it takes big steps to make big change, and to keep doing what we do, we don’t have a choice,” she said.
The ODLC would like to be able to host an autumn event every year. For this year, it is already pleased with the support it has been given. Blingo Night Out tickets will be sold right up to 6 p.m. on Oct. 19 at the door when the festivities commence.
More information about the ODLC and Blingo Night Out can be found here.
