The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

22 - The Oakville Beaver, Friday October 6, 2006 www.oakvillebeaver.com MEGA CITY SOFT CLOTH C AR WASH 210 North Service Rd. (Oakville Town Centre II) Literacy builds confidence During her entire life, Anna Sartour has had difficulty speaking with, and understanding, her children and grandchildren. A native of Italy, she has struggled with the English language, but has always been determined to improve her skills. Growing up in a small town in Northern Italy, education was not considered a priority for young women and boys always went to school over their sisters. Even after Anna moved to Sudbury with her husband, she wanted to learn English but there never seemed to be enough time. Raising her children while holding down a job to help support the family took a great deal of time and energy. But when Anna met Jean everything changed. Jean is a volunteer tutor with the Oakville Literary Council and has been working with Anna for over a year. Anna considers Jean a friend. "She comes over for tea, we talk, she gives me confidence," said Sartour, "which is the most important thing I need for reading, writing and speaking in English." Anna is in her 70s now and says her husband, children and grandchildren are surprised at all that she has learned over the last few years just by working with the Literacy Council. The Literacy Council is a non-government funded agency that relies on support from the United Way of Oakville, as well as public donations, and a small but dedicated group of staff and volunteers. "We don't have a shortage of volunteer tutors who are willing to help," says Joanne Smith Scozzafava, a program coordinator at the Literacy Council, "rather we need more people that need help to come and seek it from us, people like Anna. And we will be more than willing to set up a program that meets their specific needs and lifestyle." Joanne hopes that those in need of any kind of tutoring to improve their reading and writing skills will come forward so they can gain the confidence they need to succeed in the job market, to function at a higher language level, and to just feel better about themselves and their abilities. As for Anna, she hopes others in her situation will now have the courage to come forward and ask for help. She would like to remind them that she is a perfect example of the theory that it's never too late to learn something new. This year, United Way of Oakville's Community Impact Fund goal is $2.25 million. To learn more about how United Way supports the community through its member agencies and other initiatives, please call (905) 845-5571 or visit www.uwoakville.org. For more information about the Oakville Literacy Council, please call (905) 469-8528 or visit them online at www.oakvilleliteracy.ca. -- Submitted by the United Way of Oakville. 416.399.1540 905.849.8038 Mon.-Sat. 8:00am-7:00pm Sun. 9am-5pm $ 00 off Reg. $5.00 ANY C AR WASH 1 IRAN U.S. TRADE EMBARGO BARGAIN IS OVER Sale: Sunday, Oct. 08, 2006 Doors Open 2:00 p.m. Sharp 3 hours only (fi rst come, fi rst served) Location: The Vic Johnson Community Centre 335 Church St. Mississauga For directions call: 905-826-3011 Every Rug From $100 -$1800 <London 401 Toronto> Mississauga Rd Britannia Rd Church Vic Johnson Community Centre Thomas Erin Mills Pkwy <to QEW Oakville 403 Eglinton to 401> Debit ­ Visa ­ M.C. ­ AMEX ­ Cheque ­ Cash Accepted the phone book h as of f ic i a l ly e v olv e d . directories have changed. so should your directory advertising. Business Memberships Starting From $36/month For more information on how can help grow your business, call 1-877-526-0701 Ext. 2274 or email: sales@goldbook.ca brought to you by: John Polidoro Plumbway, Plumbing and Drain Cleaning Gold Club Member Directory Commercials Talking Directory Character Free Website & Update Service Rewards Points & Newspaper Offers Print Directory 00:00:20