Dwaine L. McDonald

Originally from Perth, Ontario, Dwaine is a successful hairstylist and a literacy learner at Lakeshore Adult literacy. When he started writing down his memories and thoughts, he found the process to be incredibly therapeutic. "I hope I can teach others, especially young people who, like me, have experienced physical and/or sexual abuse, that healing can begin by writing about it."

Wanda MacLean

Wanda's reaction to receiving an honourable mention: "Pick me up off the floor!" Wanda hails from Toronto's east end and started attending East End Literacy in September 2003. She loves writing poetry because with poetry, "there are no rules."

Peter Rampersad

Peter has lived in Canada for II years. He started taking literacy classes in January 2003 and finds them extremely helpful. Currently, he is working hard to improve his spelling. Peter's story ends with, "Have you ever woken up and started living?" This is how Peter feels every day.

Cheryl Reid

Cheryl joined the adult literacy program at Literacy for East Toronto in September 2003. She loves her teachers because they always give her encouraging feedback. Cheryl says writing has helped her realize she is capable of doing whatever she puts her mind to. "It has given me back my confidence," she says.

Alice Rogers

Alice is 47 years old and the mother of three boys. She attends a writing class at the Parkdale Recreation Centre and has won two awards with the Bread and Roses Writing Contest. She enjoys writing poetry and short stories and someday hopes to write a book.