Blog

For current and past members: it’s time to renew your YLC Membership for the 2026-2027 year! Please have your Free membership renewed in time for our next AGM (Stay tuned!) so you can cast your vote and have your voice heard! And new this year, exclusively for our members, YLC will be doing a monthly draw…

On September 8, UNESCO marks the 60th Anniversary of International Literacy Day! This year’s theme is “Literacy for people, the planet and prosperity” to highlight literacy as a way to improve livelihoods and economic security. Strong literacy skills mean better opportunities for people to achieve their goals and prosper in an increasingly challenging world. There…

We’re Hiring for 2 Summer positions Do you know know someone who is: -15-30 years old? -able to travel in Brome-Missisquoi & Haute-Yamaska? -excited to engage with community literacy? Summer Reading Coordinator – 11 week position Summer Reading Animator – 7 week position Apply by May 10, 2026. Send CV and letter of introduction to…

The Yamaska Literacy Council (YLC) welcomes you to celebrate its 45-year anniversary, marking decades of dedication to community education and empowerment. To celebrate this milestone, we invite you to join us for a fun day of games, workshops, food and more! All events are FREE; however, registration is required for workshops and food! Space is…

Check out Yamaska Literacy’s  December newsletter.    

September 8, 2025 – On this International Literacy Day, more than 65 organizations from the literacy and learning sector, supporting hundreds of thousands of Canadians across the country, are urging federal, provincial and territorial governments to demonstrate strong and concerted leadership on literacy. Over the past 18 months, organizations, practitioners, and associations dedicated to advancing…

Although YLC’s regular staff, activities and office hours are on pause for the summer, we have some Summer Reading Fun planned with our summer student Morgan! Check out our summer activities in our Summer Bulletin. Free book giveaways (July 8: 5403 rue Foster, Waterloo) Book Bingo Challenge (online) Digital Literacy Wednesdays: Cowansville Drop-inTuesdays: Waterloo and…

Do you know someone who is mature, motivated, interested in education and between the ages of 15-30 years? We’re looking for a Summer Reading Coordinator. See  the job post for more details. Please share with anyone you know who might be interested and qualified. The deadline to apply is May 20, 2025.

Join us for some fun with words at our Pen to Paper Poetry Session on May 8 , 2025 10 am – 12 noon.  Free, but please register with Mariah at [email protected] or call 450-263-7503 You don’t need to be a poet to participate (but you certainly can be!) Open to all. Enjoy some poems,…

February is the perfect month to celebrate your love of reading! (and people, and chocolate, and pets of course!). At Yamaska Literacy we’re celebrating with a few fun FREE events to warm your heart during this cold and snowy month! Join our Reading Challenge!  Log your reading time from Feb 1 -14th!  Post a pic…

Family Literacy Day takes place every January 27, with the goal of raising awareness about the importance of reading and engaging in fun literacy-based activities as a family. Reading or doing a learning activity each day improves a child’s literacy skills dramatically. Parents’ reading habits play a large role in determining how often kids read: 57%…

Christmas Storytime for all ages! Call 450-263-7503 or email [email protected] to get the  Zoom link.   We’ll be closed as of Dec 20th for the holidays. Back to work on January 6th! Stay tunes news about Family Literacy Day                    

Grab a sweater and a warm beverage and join us this November. Activities are free and open to all!. Check out our  November Newsletter

Join us for our Annual General Meeting: Wednesday October 30th @ 5pm Open to all! Come and find out about our services and programs. Enjoy some light refreshment and meet people in your community. Register here for the AGM by October 25 https://forms.office.com/r/5zgubBGnbu or call 450-263-7503 or email [email protected] Remember: If you want to vote…

Whether you are just beginning, or you want to improve your basic skills, YLC has FREE digital literacy workshops.   October (Introduction) 2 sessions November: (Intermediate) 4 sessions To register: 450-263-7503 or [email protected]    

Are you passionate about lifelong learning and community development? Want to join a dynamic staff and volunteer team? Check out the employment opportunity for Development Agent in Brome-Missisquoi. We invite qualified individuals to submit their CV and cover letter by September 9th to [email protected]  Only candidates chosen for an interview will be contacted. Yamaska Literacy…

It is with sadness that we say farewell to Martha Shufelt, longtime literacy advocate, Yamaska Literacy volunteer, and friend who passed away in January. Martha volunteered throughout her life, for many different organizations.  She started her volunteer career at a young age, participating in and governing many school clubs, helping fellow students with their studies…

Family Literacy Day is a national initiative held annually on January 27 to raise awareness about the importance of engaging in reading and other literacy-related activities as a family. Family literacy focuses on parents, grandparents and other family members to improve the reading and writing skills of the whole family. By reading to children and engaging…

Are you passionate about community based literacy? Want to join a dynamic team of volunteers and staff? The Yamaska Literacy Council looking for a Development Agent to cover the Haute-Yamaska region.   Job Posting – Development Agent (Haute-Yamaska) The Yamaska Literacy Council (YLC), a community-based adult literacy organization that provides literacy services in English in…

Our 12th annual PGI “Lob for Literacy” fundraiser is coming soon, and we invite you to help us “hit it out of the park”! The tournament will be held September 9 & 10, 2022 Stanbridge East Community Centre.  100% of the funds raised will support Yamaska Literacy programs. YLC provides FREE literacy services and programs…

Grace Saabas, long-time literacy volunteer, passed away last week, shortly after her 90th birthday. Her pioneering work in the literacy field is a significant part of her legacy. Born an only child from Tavistock Ontario, Grace graduated from Christian Education at the University of Waterloo in 1958,  as well as the Mother House in Baltimore,…

The Yamaska Literacy Council (YLC) is a community based literacy organization, serving English-speaking adults in Brome-Missisquoi and Haute-Yamaska. We’re looking to hire a new member of the team, as Development Agent for Brome-Missisquoi. Are you passionate about literacy and community development? The position is part-time and contractual.  See the full job posting for details.  …

The theme for National Volunteer Week  2022 is “Volunteering Is Empathy In Action”. This theme affirms the strong connection between volunteerism and empathy. This profoundly human connection is at the heart of healthier individuals and stronger communities. Empathy is a quality that can help people relate to others and build awareness around different experiences. It connects…

Coming soon…a workshop series for parents (grandparents and caregivers) of children 0-12 years. FREE! Join one or more workshop from the comfort of your home. The topics are designed to provide information and also to nourish your well-being. Click here to register, or call 450-263-7503 or email [email protected] https://forms.gle/vZrWBGLE1ubugTXC6   These workshop are offered through…

Calling parents, grandparent and caregivers of children 3-12 years ! FREE stories and activities. The Yamaska Literacy Council, in partnership with the Eastern Townships School Board, is launching FREE family literacy programming. Themes: ART, DRAMA, SCIENCE and BALANCE (breathing movement, mindfulness) 2 sessions offered: Register for one or more! April (3-6 years) May (7-12 years)…

Are you thinking about going back to finish high school? or taking a vocational training course? Do you want to know about the options open to you? Have questions? Need resources? The Yamaska Literacy Council & the Eastern Townships Adult General Education (ETAGE) are working together to help adults (16 years plus) in Brome-Missisquoi &…

February 14 is International Book Giving Day…and Valentines Day! The Yamaska Literacy Council invites you to nominate someone to receive a “LOVE LITERACY KIT”. How to nominate someone:  https://forms.gle/5e4wYR8zSPbKuHx18 1. Tell us WHO and WHY you are nominating them. 2. Select items for the personalized Love Literacy Kit. 3. *During the week of Feb 14-18, YLC…

Remembrance Day (originally called Armistice Day) was first observed in 1919 throughout the British Commonwealth to commemorate the armistice agreement that ended the First World War. Every year we pause to remember those who have served and continue to serve. The poppy is a well-known symbol associated with Remembrance Day, due to the poem by…

Since 1981, the Yamaska Literacy Council (YLC) has provided literacy services in Brome-Missisquoi & Haute-Yamaska, as part of a global movement to address literacy challenges through volunteer action. This 40th anniversary landmark is a cause for celebration for all of the volunteers, tutors, families and lifelong learners who have played a part in YLC’s story.…

All tutors, students, partners and supporters are invited to attend YLC’s Annual General Meeting: Wednesday October 27, 2021 @ 5pm on Zoom  Celebrate 40 years of community literacy with us, à la 80’s style! Register by October 21 to get the link, AND your AGM party bag. It’s as easy as 1, 2, or 3!…

September 30th is the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. This day provides an opportunity to reflect, learn, grieve and take collective action towards reconciliation. This is a day to recognize and commemorate the tragic history and ongoing legacy of residential schools, and to honour survivors, their families and communities. Here are some ways you…

“Mapping Your Community: A Resource Toolkit for Adult Learners” aims to support English-speaking adults with low literacy to find, access and use services and resources during an emergency or crisis. The Emergency Toolkit provides plain-language instructions and guidance to navigate emergencies, non-emergencies, as well as information on preparing for a future emergency. Print and digital…

  Get help with your vaccine passport. If you need help to download the app (what’s an app?), or print out your QR code (what’s a QR code?), YLC can help you. A free service to residents in Brome-Missisquoi & Haute-Yamaska. Contact Nancy: 450-522-4015 or [email protected]

  PGI Fundraiser for the Yamaska Literacy Council Thursday, September 9 @ 7 pm Virtual Event (Zoom) We are excited to announce the 11th Annual PGI for Literacy, a virtual variety show (with a great line-up of Canadian talent!) in support of the Yamaska Literacy Council. Get your tickets now!  click here to go to…

The Yamaska Literacy Council (YLC)… maybe you remember our early days as the Townshippers Reading Council?… is in its 40th year of providing community-based literacy programming in Brome-Missisquoi & Haute-Yamaska. Happy Birthday to us!   This landmark is a cause for celebration for all the volunteers, tutors, families and lifelong learners who have played a…

Register for one or more FREE workshops. Call 450-263-7503 or email [email protected]

Congratulations to Kathy LePoer, winner of the 2021 “Freda Hudson Volunteer Recognition Award!” Kathy has tutored with YLC since 2012. Her compassion and dedication are exemplary! In addition to tutoring, Kathy served on the YLC Board of Directors as a quiet and wise contributor, served up beer for tips for literacy at the Brome Fair,…

It’s not to late to join. Literacy Quebec is registered for the Scotiabank Charity Challenge. It’s virtual this year. You can walk or run 5, 10 or 21km  any time between April 23 – June 14th. You can choose to run, or support a runner! Thank you Anne Bouthot, Joani Tannenbaum and Meredith MacKeen who…