Literacy Matters Abbotsford

Welcome!

Literacy Matters Abbotsford is Abbotsford’s community literacy network. This is a membership of many organizations and programs including the Fraser Valley Regional Library, Abbotsford Community Services, University of the Fraser Valley, and Abbotsford School District to name a few. Literacy Matters Abbotsford is funded by Decoda, through the Ministry of Municipal Affairs (see Decoda for more information). The goal of Literacy Matters Abbotsford is to connect literacy services to individuals; to connect services to each other; and to address the literacy gaps in Abbotsford.

Upcoming

Visit our Home Page regularly to learn new about our programs, community involvement and upcoming events below!

September is Literacy Month!

September is here, and it’s time to celebrate the magic of reading and the broader power of literacy. Literacy is so much more than just reading—it’s about unlocking opportunities, empowering individuals, and fostering lifelong learning. It’s the key to understanding the world, making informed decisions, and connecting with others.
This month, let’s champion all aspects of literacy! Dive into a new book, support local literacy programs, and recognize how literacy impacts every part of our lives—from personal growth to community development. Browse our website to see how you can support literacy in our community.

Raise-a-Reader Week is Coming Up

Just a quick reminder that Raise-A-Reader (RAR) Week is right around the corner—September 20th to 27th, 2024.
This is a fantastic opportunity to support your community and boost literacy efforts. Simply click here to donate and use the drop-down menu to select your community. Every donation will be topped up by a government grant, making your contribution go even further!
Together, let’s make a huge impact and create a ripple effect in literacy for our communities!

Stetís ímexstowx - Walk Beside Us

Abbotsford Community Partners Continue Collaboration to Host Second Annual National Day for Truth and Reconciliation Event

Event Date: September 30, 2024
Time: 10 AM – 3 PM
Location: Thunderbird Square and Civic Plaza, 32388 Veterans Way, Abbotsford, BC

Abbotsford, BC – Following the impact of last year’s inaugural event, we invite you to join us for the second annual gathering as we acknowledge and commemorate our commitment to Truth and Reconciliation on the traditional and unceded territories of Mathxwí First Nation, Semá:th First Nation, and Leq’á:mel First Nation.

All are welcome to this free indoor/outdoor event, where we will come together to learn and share. The public event will feature:

Opening Ceremony @ 10:00 am
Family Learning Experiences: Engage in activities provided by community partners who will help us "walk together" towards reconciliation
Indigenous Youth Shoulder Flash Unveiling: Abby PD will host a reveal ceremony of the Truth and Reconciliation shoulder flash as designed by the talented Liam Silver from Semá:th First Nation.
Story Walk: Three presentations lasting approximately 15 minutes. This static and interactive storytelling event is where young narrators bring ‘Phyllis's Orange Shirt’ by Phyllis Webstad to life.
Semá:th Xotsa – Luminous Waters Performance: Two 45-minute performances inspired by the award-winning children’s book, Semá:th Xó̱ :tsa : Sts’ólemeqwelh Sxó̱:tsa / Great Gramma’s Lake.
Knowledge Keeper sharing by Carol Peters and Eddie Gardner
Many opportunities to deepen our understanding about Truth and Reconciliation
Indigenous food providers, vendors, and artisans will be on-site

Our dedicated partners have come together at Civic Precinct with a common goal—to create a space for learning and understanding.

Community Partners

This commemorative gathering is made possible thanks to the collaboration of dedicated community partners, including:

Abbotsford Children’s Theatre
Abbotsford Fire Rescue Service
Abbotsford Police Department
Abbotsford School District
City of Abbotsford
Clearbrook Library (FVRL)
The Reach Gallery Museum
Tourism Abbotsford
United Way
University of the Fraser Valley’s Peace and Reconciliation Centre (PARC)

Join us on this journey as we come together to build a deeper awareness of our roles in the path to Reconciliation.

For more details about the event, including FAQs and a list of stations and activities, please visit our website or follow @stetisimexstowxgathering on Instagram for ongoing updates leading up to the event.

For media inquiries, please contact: info@literacymattersabbotsford.com

Story Walk Live

“Story Walk Live” is a partnership between Literacy Matters Abbotsford and Abbotsford Children’s Theatre and is designed to celebrate the art of storytelling. Each page of the stories is laminated and posted so community members can enjoy it, either reading it at their own pace or listening to a narrator who will bring the story to life in a dramatic and engaging way. We hope to encourage a love of reading and plan to participate with Scampers (a summer literacy camp sponsored by Abbotsford Community School Society), Go Play Outside (an Abbotsford Parks and Recreation initiative), and the Truth and Reconciliation event at Civic Plaza. We look forward to other opportunities to share with the community.

We offer “Story Walk Live” because we believe in the power of the spoken story and its capacity to strengthen a love of reading. We know that family literacy is one of the strongest links in promoting learning in families (Decoda.ca) and that strong literacy skills can help children succeed. We also know that reading to children can be a special way to connect and bond with them. We cannot understate the value of storytelling.

Reading Buddies Volunteer Registration OPEN

Please visit our Volunteers page to register for our Reading Buddies program, under Reading Buddies / Volunteer Application Forms (mid-page). Reading Buddies is a program of Literacy Matters Abbotsford, Abbotsford’s community literacy network. This program supports children in grades 1 to 5 who are working to improve their reading.

Big Buddy volunteers are matched with Little Buddies for a one-on-one weekly session at the library. Within the one hour sessions, Little Buddies discover the joy and fun of reading while building their confidence; Big Buddies act as mentors while fostering a love of books in the children.

Follow our new Instagram account @readingbuddiesabby to be in touch with our Reading Buddies Coordinator, Monique

Thank You to all the staff at

"The Bookman"!

The Bookman generously donated several gently used children’s books for distribution in the community. As we, here at Literacy Matters Abbotsford work to support and enhance literacy and learning in our community, we are grateful for supportive corporate partners like The Bookman. Every book makes a welcome addition to a child’s library and nurtures that child’s love of reading. Thank you to the wonderful staff at The Bookman. Your generosity is most appreciated.