Word of Sage Youth’s efficient, effective, and inexpensive programs spread through Ontario’s network of school boards and community service agencies. Then, organizations from across the country began requesting that we share our expertise. Sage Youth staff became de facto consultants as school boards and other NGOs developed or improved their own literacy programs. Therefore, in 2002, Sage Youth created a division called the Excellence in Literacy Foundation (ELF).
To enable the successful replication of this program, Sage Youth and ELF staff and volunteers wrote a series of 22 workbooks, a Program Model, and several training booklets. Supported by tested materials and greeted by organizations eager to consult our expertise, the ELF has provided training, literacy and life skills workbooks, and small grants to 160 community organizations and schools across Canada. ELF supported programs have served over 18, 000 children, predominantly from First Nations, new Canadian, special needs, homeless and low-income communities.
Thanks to the vision of our directors and the passion of our community partners, the ELF has been an independent charity since 2005. For information on training, materials and grants for children’s literacy initiatives, please go to www.excellenceinliteracy.org.