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WLU Students for Literacy shares with children the joy of reading etween courses, exams, Bpart-time jobs and attempts at having half- decent social lives, it's under standable university can be an overwhelming experience for many who choose this path in life. Lexie selection Fly-mug ' llns‘rumonal "stung supphes courses In! ttgttm mic-Mm Accessones l " an“ M.. um 4, Waterloo 745-2650 But a group ufWilfrid laurier University students believe they've found the secret In escaping the everyday pressures that come with being young adults in school. The key is to spend time with those who don't have a care in the world. And who better to fell those shoes than children. “I see kids as the solution to our present," said WLU student Rob Pozeg. "We need to he more like kids to make our present like their present. "Kids really bring out the best in people. You can learn a lot from them." And that's the reason Pozeg is so passionate about WLU Students for Literacy, a program which sees over 80 students reach out to children in the com- munity by spending time help- ing them beef up their reading skills. Every Saturday morning. vul- umeers sit down with a group of children. ranging in age from fave to 18, at the school and read with them either one-on-one or as a group in special circles. "We try to instill how much fun reading is to the kids," said Pong, coordinator of the pro- gram which has existed at Laurier since 1993-94. "And the children really see the volunteers as role models." P, Pong also said the program Br ANDREA Bum - -Ch_ryn_icleftthr - 1595 Victoria Street North (near Blnqeman Park) Until October 13: Mondays to Saturdays Sundays New hours as of October M: Mondays to Fridays Saturdays Sundays Kitchener For more information, assistance or forms: has expanded to assist other commu- nity organizations where literacy issues are of concern. Every Wednesday a group of students travel to the Courtland-Shelley Community Centre in Kitchener to help neighbourhood chil- dren with their read- ing abilities. "Especially at Courtland-Shelley you can see how much they appreci- ate you being there working with them onecn one." "To actually see the kids enjoy read- ing is really cool." Pozeg said. He said the Students program has also name tan extended its services Universii to the John Howard Society's alternative measures program. working with troubled youth on their literacy skills. This year. the group has part- nered with the Big Sisters of Kitchener-Waterloo and Area to assist with the organization's commitment to reading and lit- eracy for its children. Pozeg said volunteers will also be visiting Grand River Hospital and reading to some of the young patients over the next few months. "We just want lo help the kids as much as we can," he said. "It's so nice to work with them, and it's amazing how everything else that's going on in the world, all the stresses. just seem m disap- pear." Pozeg said the children have 9:00 am 12:00 pm 9:00 am 9:00 am 12:00 pm LIFESTYLE Students for Literacy volunteer Erin Welsh helps Nicole Flanagan. nine, make a name tag for the first session of the reading program held at Wilfrid Laurier University last Saturday. IOI VRIANAK mom l 800 731-4000 m.cfc.qc.ca also done their part to brighten the lives of the volunteers. To this day the coordinator still carries around a special Valentine card a child made to thank him for his help. 'That's why we do it," he said. "Helping the children makes us feel just as special af {hey do" Pozeg also said it's a great feeling for the volunteers to revisit their own childhoods by reading the stories they grew up listening to before bed each night. ""There is so much that can be gained from something as sim- ple l? l bpok." he said. ' While it costs nothing for chil- dren to attend the program. as it is volunteer-run and supported by the WLU Students' Union, 9:00 pm 5:00 pm 9:00 pm 6:00 pm 5:00 pm (llllt)h @Cheaper! @Easier! HUFrv before the $10 fee for a Possession-Only Licence goes up to $60. h iiiim of trained individuals will provide a licence application form, help you with it, and take your photo free of charge. Please don 't bring your firearms! Pong said the group holds an annual Walk for Literacy which raises funds for the little extras that make the program what it is. Part of the money raised this year, Pozeg said, will go towards granting a dream for either a ter- minally ill or severely physically disabled child through the Sunshine Foundation of Canada. "Working with and helping children really makes you see what's important in life," he said. "It really makes you stop and think about what really matters. For more information on the WLU Students for lileracy pro- gram, contact Rob Pozeg at 588- 2919 or the WLU Students' Union at 884-0710, ext. 3434. "Children really do change people's lives," .. Inf: " 'I0 Ask iior details mums!) nomn "thtt!ltt3.Lt"t"r Focus for Ethnic Women will host an open house and grand opening of its newest venture -- Designed to Focus -- lomorrow afternoon in Waterloo. Designed to Focus is a community business that manufactures adaptive clothing for women and incorporates a sewing training component for immigrant and visible minority women. The open house will be held from noon to 5 pm at 33 Bridgeport Rd. E. A ribbon cutting ceremony will take place ati? pm. Focus for Ethnic Women is a not- for-profit organization whose mis- sion is to enhance the participation of immigrant and visible minority women in Canadian society through innovative and collaborative efforts among the board, staff, participants, funders and community partners. For further information, call 746-341 L The second annual First Gulf Fest will be held Oct. 13 in uptown Waterloo. The event, which supports the Big Brothers Association of Kitchener, Waterloo, will feature a corporate team beer wagon race, Brick beer. other refreshments and live enter- tainment. The event will be held from 2-9 pm. in the Waterloo Town Square parking lot. Tickets are $5 and are available at the Oktoberfest office in downtown Kitchener or the First Gulf office in Waterloo Town Square For further information. call 886-4190. O8/o Focus for Ethnic Women to host open house - "VlIlll - in trguritttt ef. 7,4 -F. I T46-t666 NOW AVAILABLE First Gulf Fest held uptown [31mm