Dining out for Project Literacy is well under way, but the story behind it is rooted in community.
For the past seven years Bai Tong Thai Food Restaurant has partnered with the non-profit organization, Project Literacy to raise awareness about their services.
Project Literacy works with new immigrants to help them settle into their new home and learn the language in a one-on-one setting to help them succeed in their new home. They provide ESL courses, assist students with accessing services, acquiring SIN cards, teaching them about how to access healthcare and anything else they may need.
鈥淲hat鈥檚 great is it helps raise awareness int he community about us and we get to share a real success story,鈥� said Paul Zuurbier, executive director. 鈥淎ll people that come here for free literacy support and community, we see an impact (on their lives).鈥�
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The fundraiser began after owners of Bai Tong, Kitti and Jamjit Karunyspon accessed their services when they moved to 91大黄鸭 from Bangkok, Thailand.
鈥淚 want to help Project Literacy because it鈥檚 a charity. I (have) known Project Literacy for a long time, more than 16 years. When I first came to Canada I could not speak English. I had to go study with a tutor at Project Literacy and they helped me improve my English. When I had my own place, I wanted to give back to them,鈥� said Kitti Karunyspon.
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鈥淚t鈥檚 important (to have services for immigrants) because normally as a newcomer to Canada they cannot speak English very well and it鈥檚 very hard to find a job and communicate with the local people. You have to know English,鈥� said Kitti Karunyspon.
To take part. purchase a $10 voucher at Project Literacy鈥檚 office or at Bai Tong to use during a dining experience. To use the voucher the bill must accumulate to at least $21 total. All funds raised will be donated to Project Literacy.
Dining out for Project Literacy will run every day until the end of January.
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