May is Leave a Legacy Month — a national initiative encouraging people to leave a gift in their will or  through planned giving to a cause they care about. Your gift to Decoda Literacy Foundation helps change lives by providing British Columbians with the literacy skills they need to thrive in their communities.  

Why leave a legacy gift of literacy?

Literacy creates a ripple effect, impacting education, health and safety, employment, finances, digital skills, inclusion, civic engagement and volunteerism. People with strong literacy skills are better equipped to contribute to Canada’s economy and help build resilience in communities. 

Read how Sheron Austin’s legacy gift to Decoda Literacy makes a lasting impact. 

“I know Sheron would be thrilled to know that she has impacted so many lives,” says Mindy Sangha, her close friend and executor of her will. “That’s what Sheron really wanted – to help people.”

Your gift will support programs where the gift of literacy can change lives. Here are a few programs that help children get a better start in life. 

Fostering Literacy

The Fostering Literacy program supports school-age children who struggle with reading. Through one-on-one sessions with trained tutors, children build their skills and confidence. The focus is on making reading enjoyable and inspiring a lifelong love of learning. 

In the 2023-24 school year, more than 280 trained tutors, including 120 youth, supported over 450 elementary school children in 23 BC communities. The results reported by tutors and teachers show that: 

• 94% of learners gained confidence 
• 90% of learners improved fluency 
• 92% of learners enhanced comprehension 

Parents As Literacy Supporters (PALS)

PALS equips families with strategies to support their preschool and kindergarten-aged children’s learning, emotional development and social skills through play-based learning.  

Immigrant PALS (IPALS) is a bilingual program that has helped more than 4,500 newcomer families adapt to life in Canada, improve their English skills and navigate the Canadian school system. Through books, materials, training, childcare, and transportation, IPALS ensures that newcomer families have equitable access to education and community resources. 

The Aboriginal PALS program offers culturally responsive literacy support that respects and integrates Indigenous knowledge, traditions and values. The program helps Indigenous children develop strong foundational skills for success in school and beyond. 

How to Leave a Bequest

If you would like to leave a gift to Decoda Literacy Foundation in your will, please use the following wording: 

“I give to Decoda Literacy Foundation, 980-1125 Howe Street, Vancouver, BC, V6Z 2K8, charitable registration number 841053333RR0001, the sum of $_____ [or ____ percent of the residue of my Estate] for the greatest need.” 

For more information about legacy giving, contact Gail Hanney, Director, Fund Development at 604-681-4199 x 404 or ghanney@decoda.ca. 

Learn about other ways to give

 Read some of our program success stories

• Learners thrive in Fostering Literacy tutor program
• Family literacy program builds bridges for newcomers
• Supporting Indigenous families’ literacy and culture
• Fostering Literacy empowers young readers
• IPALS: Empowering newcomer families through learning and play
• Fostering Literacy: Kayla’s story
• Newcomer families make it count in IPALS program