Literacy Nipissing celebrates grand reopening
Literacy Nipissing in North Bay celebrated its official grand reopening, a major milestone after the learning centre burnt down in 2020.
Although it's been operating and offering services again, a reopening was put on hold due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Nearly three years later, after finding a new home and getting through the pandemic, the learning centre was able to welcome people to its new location.
"To go from that to this is overwhelming sometimes," said Vandra McQuarrie of Literacy Nipissing.
"Not even a fire -- not even a fire -- could stop us."
McQuarrie said Literacy Nipissing offers services to around 150 people per year teaching reading, writing and other life skills.
"We have students who do not know how to read one letter of the alphabet and all of a sudden they learn how to read, write, how to pay their own bills," she said.
"They learn what those numbers mean on those bills. We have students who know a lot of stuff but don't have a GED diploma, so we offer them the opportunity to learn skills, to maybe go on and get a better job."
"The reason why I want to come here is because I want to learn more," said learner Jack Osborne.
"I have my tutor right now. We go through the books and do stories and everything."
Having offered services to more than 6,000 students over the years, McQuarrie said many students go on to be successful at all different paths of life.
"They say, 'Oh, I could never repay you. I'm so thankful for all that you've done for me,'" she said.
"They're the ones who have done the work. All we did was offered them a place and a teacher. We offered them an opportunity to reach their potential."
McQuarrie said she hopes the centre continues to grow, adding they are always welcoming new students.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
How quietly promised law changes in the 2024 federal budget could impact your day-to-day life
The 2024 federal budget released last week includes numerous big spending promises that have garnered headlines. But, tucked into the 416-page document are also series of smaller items, such as promising to amend the law regarding infant formula and to force banks to label government rebates, that you may have missed.
Which foods have the most plastics? You may be surprised
'How much plastic will you have for dinner, sir? And you, ma'am?' While that may seem like a line from a satirical skit on Saturday Night Live, research is showing it's much too close to reality.
opinion I've been a criminal attorney for decades. Here's what I think about the case against Trump
Joey Jackson, a criminal defence attorney and a legal analyst for CNN, outlines what he thinks about the criminal case against Donald Trump in the 'hush money trial.'
$3.8M home in B.C.'s Okanagan has steel shell for extra wildfire protection
A home in B.C.'s Okanagan that features a weathering steel shell designed to provide some protection against wildfires has been listed for sale at $3.8 million.
Diver pinned under water by an alligator figured he had choice. Lose his arm or lose his life
An alligator attacked a diver on April 15 as he surfaced from his dive, nearly out of air. His tank emptied with the gator's jaws crushing the arm he put up in defence.
Psychologist becomes first person in Peru to die by euthanasia after fighting in court for years
A Peruvian psychologist who suffered from an incurable disease that weakened her muscles and had her confined to her bed for several years, died by euthanasia, her lawyer said Monday, becoming the first person in the country to obtain the right to die with medical assistance.
Mystery surrounds giant custom Canucks jerseys worn by Lions Gate Bridge statues
The giant stone statues guarding the Lions Gate Bridge have been dressed in custom Vancouver Canucks jerseys as the NHL playoffs get underway.
Celebrity designer sentenced to 18 months in prison for smuggling crocodile handbags
A leading fashion designer whose accessories were used by celebrities from Britney Spears to the cast of the 'Sex and the City' TV series was sentenced Monday to 18 months in prison after pleading guilty in Miami federal court on charges of smuggling crocodile handbags from her native Colombia.
Wildfire leads to evacuation order issued for northeast Alberta community
An evacuation order was issued on Monday afternoon for homes in the area of Cold Lake First Nation.