Morie Ford (pictured left) with Honorable Melanie Mark, Minister of Advanced Education, Skills & Training, receiving the award at Mount Pleasant Neighbourhood House
Morie Ford, a dedicated long-time literacy tutor, mentor, facilitator, educator and volunteer, is being awarded 2019’s Council of the Federation Literacy Award in B.C. For more than 30 years, Ford has championed community-based literacy programs for adults and youth. She helped launch the One to One literacy program, which recruits, trains and supports volunteer tutors to work with school-aged children. She also helped incorporate the Writers’ Exchange Society, a creative literacy program that connects Vancouver inner-city kids with volunteer tutors.
“Morie’s selfless dedication and devoted work with students and families in Vancouver over the past three decades is being celebrated today,” said Rob Fleming, Minister of Education. “Congratulations to Morie on earning this well-deserved award, which recognizes the positive impact her contributions have made towards helping British Columbians build their literacy skills to succeed.”
Ford is also the current family outreach co-ordinator at Mount Pleasant Neighbourhood House, where she works with immigrant and refugee families to provide one-to-one, home-based, intergenerational literacy support. According to her nominators, Ford is a compassionate change-maker who has positively impacted many people’s lives through her hard work, dedication and big heart. The Council of the Federation, which includes all 13 provincial and territorial premiers, created the literacy award in 2004. Presented in each province and territory, the award celebrates outstanding achievement, innovative practice and excellence in literacy. Ford will receive a certificate signed by Premier John Horgan, a Council of the Federation Literacy Award medallion and $500.
“Morie has been instrumental in developing our unique Family Literacy Outreach program,” said Jocelyne Hamel, Council of the Federation Literacy Award nominator and executive director, Mount Pleasant Neighbourhood House. “Her literacy and teaching expertise has really benefited the program direction and tutor training. She’s been a fabulous connector between participants, tutors and our community partners.“
The Province supports literacy in partnership with Decoda Literacy Solutions. Decoda is a literacy organization that provides resources, training and funds to support community-based literacy and learning initiatives in more than 400 communities throughout British Columbia.
“We wish to congratulate Morie Ford as the recipient of the 2019 Council of the Federation Literacy Award,” said Margaret Sutherland, executive director, Decoda Literacy Solutions. “This award recognizes those individuals who work to increase the literacy and learning skills of children and families, youth, adults and seniors. Literacy enhances life, work and play. It is wonderful to see Ford commended for her leadership and years of advancing literacy in B.C.”
Morie Ford (pictured here, far right) with volunteer tutor Leah Blaney and newcomer mom Anita Devi, who participate in the Familiy Literacy Outreach Program at our House
