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About Us

Our Mission

Our mission is to ensure any adult or family in Waterloo Wellington has access to essential skills training and support services.


Click here to find out more about why Project READ Literacy Network matters and why literacy matters.

Our Vision

Our vision is to improve quality of life through literacy.


With our expertise, broad community network, resources, and years of experience serving diverse literacy needs, Project READ is a key resource for adult and family literacy services and education in Waterloo-Wellington. We are committed to ensuring that every individual has access to literacy and Skills for Success training needed to learn, grow, and flourish.

Our Values

Our values guide us when communicating and interacting with our community, partners and stakeholders.


Through dedication, collaboration, innovation and integrity, we are helping to build healthy and engaged communities through literacy and Skills for Success training.

What is Literacy?

Literacy is more than knowing how to read and write.


A person who is literate can use reading, writing, speaking, and numerical skills effectively to understand and participate in the world around them.

Literacy is not a fixed skill. It needs to be exercised and challenged. Otherwise, the skill will not strengthen and may weaken.

There are 5 levels to define literacy in Canada. A person may be able to function at one of the lower levels, but would still be considered to have problems with literacy.

What is Family Literacy?

Key message: Parents are their child’s first and most important teacher.


Project READ defines “family literacy” as: Parents actively helping themselves and their children to become lifelong learners through a wide variety of daily activities.

Project READ defines “family literacy programming” as: Programs that focus on building the already-present strengths within families by working with parents to aid in developing their child’s literacy skills and their own. By using supports from adult literacy, early childhood education, and family support, family literacy programs help parents to support their children as they develop literacy and math skills that will provide a foundation for the child’s future success.

Literacy Facts and Statistics

Low literacy affects many aspects of life including health, income, employment, parenting, further training and daily living.


Many people with low literacy skills have some reading, writing and math skills, but they may lack the skills needed to cope with the demands of our rapidly changing society and economy. Most adults with low literacy skills have English as a first language. Click here for more Literacy Facts and Statistics.