How One Woman Overcame the Barriers of Illiteracy

Imagine being 38 years old and not knowing that 2 x 2 = 4 or how to read or write words such as participation or assistance. For years Jennifer lived with the stigma and shame that illiteracy brings. Then she found a way to escape her situation.

“When I came to The Salvation Army I had missed many years of school. As a result I had panic attacks trying to read and couldn’t write simple sentences.”

At age 18 Jennifer became a single parent. She left school to focus on her baby. But when she returned for upgrading she had fallen very far behind, unable to catch up.

Over the years Jennifer had four children and worked in housekeeping to help make ends meet. She wanted desperately to improve her literacy skills and forced herself to read novels. Sentence by sentence she struggled to sound out words and understand their meaning.

“I always wondered what could be done and if there was any help for me,” says Jennifer.

Then one day her social assistance worker asked if she wanted to go back to school.

“I was anxious to learn everything I could,” says Jennifer.

“The Salvation Army believed in me when I doubted myself”

In Winnipeg’s downtown core, The Salvation Army’s STEP, which stands for STages Education Program, works with adults below a Grade 6 reading and writing level.

“Individuals come to the program with different needs and at different literacy levels,” says Mandy Marsland, program coordinator. “There is no set curriculum and an education plan is developed for each student.

“Jennifer came to us at a Grade 4 reading level,” continues Marsland. “When she was able to relax, her confidence increased and she has improved her skills greatly.”

Today Jennifer is reading in front of people, completing full sentences, learning computer skills and solving math equations.

“The journey to literacy hasn’t been easy,” says Jennifer. “The Salvation Army believed in me when I doubted myself and that makes me smile.”