Welcome to the Literacy Council of Durham Region!

New! September 1, 2011 -

Summer renovations have been completed with funds raised through our summer book sale and 'Gary's Ride for Literacy.' A big thanks goes to Gary who collected pledges for his bike ride from Oshawa to Prince Edward County to support the Literacy Council's efforts. Donations can now be made online to support Gary through CanadaHelps.org. Proceeds raised will directly benefit adults seeking independence, employment or further education/training through literacy upgrading.

Volunteer Opportunities Available: Are you compassionate, dedicated and interested in helping others to reach their employment, education and independence goals? The Literacy Council of Durham Region will be holding volunteer training sessions for potential adult literacy tutors throughout the months of September and October. Tutors are needed to meet at the Council office in Oshawa and other municipalities throughout Durham. For more information, please call the Council office at (905) 434-5441.

January 24, 2011 -
The Literacy Council of Durham Region is pleased to announce its 3rd annual Coffee, Tea & Words read-a-thon will take place on March 26, 2011 at Isabella's Chocolate Cafe in downtown Oshawa! This year, participants will be reading for 12 hours to help raise money for literacy services in the Region. Participants are encouraged to raise a minumum of $50, bring along their favourite reading selection and take the stage to read during one of our six unique themes! For more information on how to participate, please see our official brochure for details or contact 905-434-5441 or  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it to obtain an official sponsorship form! We look forward to your support again this year! To donate online, please visit our donation page at www.canadahelps.org:

November 23, 2010 -
Are you compassionate, dedicated and interested in helping others to reach their employment, education and independence goals? The Literacy Council of Durham Region will be holding volunteer training sessions for potential adult literacy tutors throughout the months of November and December and into 2011. Volunteer opportunities are available throughout the Region with flexible hours and free training provided! If you or someone you know are interested in registering for a training session or finding out more information, please contact us at 905-434-5441 or at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .  

August 9, 2010 -
The Literacy Council of Durham Region's charity yard sale, held August 7, 2010, was a great success! The event raised $500 and all proceeds will used to purchase learner materials and supplies including workbooks, pencils, pens and binders. Thanks to all those who donated gently used goods to the event and the volunteers who worked tirelessly in the hot sun to help make the event a success! Photos from the day can be viewed in the gallery section of the website.

July 28, 2010 -
Attention bargain-hunters! The Literacy Council of Durham Region is holding a charity yard sale, August 7th from 9am - 4pm, at Queen's Market Square (Simcoe St. N.) in downtown Oshawa. The event will be held rain or shine, with proceeds raised benefiting the Council. With everything from gently used books to household items, join us for an amazing opportunity to score a good deal for a good cause! Dontations of gently used goods for the event can be dropped of at 115 Simcoe St, S. (2nd floor) in downtown Oshawa on August 4th & 5th from 2pm-7pm, August 6th from 10am-1pm or on the day of the event from 8:30am-9:30am. We hope to see you there!

May 18, 2010 -
The 2nd annual Coffee, Tea & Words fundraiser was held at Isabella's Chocolate Cafe on March 27th and 28th and was a great success! Thanks to the support of volunteers and community members, the Council was able to raise more than $4000 to support literacy training in the community. Thank you to all those who fundraised on behalf of the Council, the event volunteers who donated their time and effort, to all those who read at the event and to our generous partners The Oshawa Public Libraries and the Rotary Club.

February 18, 2010 -
Donations can now be made online to the Literacy Council of Durham Region's Coffee, Tea & Words fundraiser through CanadaHelps.org. Proceeds raised will directly benefit adults seeking independence, employment or further education/training through literacy upgrading. Visit our Student Profiles section to learn more about how the Literacy Council helps adult learners gain independence and confidence through the power of literacy! 

Official sponsorship forms, rules and regulations are now available at the Literacy Council office for the 2010 Coffee, Tea & Words Read-a-Thon, March 27th and 28th from noon to noon! With the support of the Oshawa Public Libraries, this year promises to be even more exciting and fun-filled as we are committed to the challenge of raising $8000 to benefit the Literacy Council of Durham Region! Participants who commit to raising $50 will be invited to a read at the event from a pre-selected reading. Participants who raise more than $120 in pledges will be invited to read at the event from a selection of their choice. Donations of $20 and over will be issued a tax receipt as requested. Proceeds raised from the event will directly benefit individuals seeking independence, education and employment through literacy upgrading.

February 17, 2010 -
Celebrated author Susanna Kearlsey will be returning to this year's Coffee, Tea & Words! Kearsley is the author of the award-winning novel and international best-seller Marianna and will be appearing during this year's Mystery and Crime theme. For more information on Susanna Kearsley, visit her website at www.susannakearsley.com.


February 15, 2010 -
Toronto author Jill Edmondson has confirmed her participation in this year's Coffee, Tea & Words! Jill's first book, Blood and Groom, was published in the fall of 2009 and has been described as Sex and the City meets Nancy Drew. Mystery and suspense lovers will be thrilled to attend her reading and find out more about intruiging heroine Sasha Jackson! For more information on, check out her website at www.jilledmondson.com.

January 15, 2010 -
We are pleased to announce that the Council is officially launching its 2nd Annual Coffee, Tea & Words 24-hour Read-a-Thon!

Official sponsorship forms, rules and regulations are now available at the Literacy Council office for the 2010 Coffee, Tea & Words Read-a-Thon, March 27th and 28th from noon to noon! With the support of the Oshawa Public Libraries, this year promises to be even more exciting and fun-filled as we are committed to the challenge of raising $8000 to benefit the Literacy Council of Durham Region! Participants who commit to raising $50 will be invited to a read at the event from a pre-selected reading. Participants who raise more than $120 in pledges will be invited to read at the event from a selection of their choice. Donations of $20 and over will be issued a tax receipt as requested. Proceeds raised from the event will directly benefit individuals seeking independence, education and employment through literacy upgrading.

See below for official times and dates! For more information on how you can get involved as a reader or an event volunteer, contact us at (905) 434-5441 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .