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Hi Amelia, 

As the end of the year nears, at ALNF we have been reflecting on the many highs and lows of the last 12 months. It’s undeniable that for too many of us 2020 has been a year of unprecedented challenges, and this is particularly true for our nation’s most vulnerable communities. From fires and floods, to a global pandemic, as a nation we did it tough and battled through every difficulty that arose.

However, despite all of the uncertainty that this year brought, we are left feeling a tremendous sense of gratitude and pride.

We saw educators and parents spring into action, embracing their work with us as they navigated isolation, home learning and the considerable pressures that come along with constantly changing home and school environments. We were in awe of their commitment and courage.

We watched ALNF team members enthusiastically innovate, problem solve and embrace new ways of thinking and doing to ensure marginalised communities were supported at a time when they needed our assistance the most. Our trainers saw how vital flexibility was, often connecting with learners during evenings and on weekends, and welcomed training sessions in living rooms with children on laps.

We were also continually moved and honoured by your unwavering generosity, kindness and support. You responded with care and compassion, making our work possible, particularly during a year that was in many ways uncharted territory. It is thanks to you that we got more books in hands, more resources in communities and unlocked more bright futures every day.

There was no way COVID-19 was going to stop us and we truly can’t wait to get going with all of our exciting projects for 2021.

Here is just a tiny snapshot of what we have achieved this year, with your help.  

Your donation today will ensure that even bigger things happen in 2021. 

We wish each and every one of our ALNF friends a peaceful, healthy and happy festive season, and we look forward to touching base in the new year with updates.

As always, thank you for all that you do.

With thanks,

Mary-Ruth Mendel and Kim Kelly

Founders, The Australian Literacy & Numeracy Foundation

Hi Amelia, 

Over the last few months we’ve been busy with an exciting new project, marking ALNF’s first step into the podcast space.

In partnership with StoryKids, we are thrilled to announce that season two of the StoryKids x ALNF podcast is now live, harnessing digital technology to unlock creativity and empower children to be strong storytellers, all whilst providing engaging learning moments away from a screen!

StoryKids brings original stories written by children to life, putting the spotlight firmly on young voices across the nation. But we couldn’t do it alone! Each episode is narrated by a celebrity guest and throughout the season we feature an array of Aussie talent and master storytellers including Baker Boy, Benjamin Law, Jesinta Franklin, Georgi Coghlan, Casey Donovan, Eddie Perfect, Virginia Gay, Myf Warhurst, Alan Brough, Thomas Campbell and Christine Anu.

Each young author is also interviewed about their story, telling us about their inspiration and creative process.

Now more than ever, and in recognition of a changing world as a result of COVID-19, parents and educators are looking for remote activities that can teach and inspire children outside of the classroom, and we feel podcasts are the perfect, highly accessible platform.

And as always, we are deeply committed to amplifying diverse young voices and perspectives, and giving all children a chance to shine.

Whether we are young or old, stories connect us and add meaning to our lives and we truly hope your family enjoys these magical tales. New episodes drop every Tuesday on Apple Podcasts and Spotify, and trust us, your children won’t want to miss a single one!

Hi Amelia, 

Today marks the beginning of NAIDOC Week. This is a time for all Australians to celebrate the history, diverse culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

The theme for this year is Always Was, Always Will Be, acknowledging that our nation’s story didn’t begin with European contact and that the true history of this country dates back thousands of generations.

This week and every week, at ALNF, we honour that the Indigenous voice of this country is over 65,000 years old, and in that time First Nations peoples have occupied and cared for this continent.  

For generations, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have looked for significant and lasting change. Your donation this NAIDOC Week will help us amplify Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander voices and help us protect, preserve and promote Indigenous languages and cultures. 

Hi Amelia, 

We hope that this email finds you, your family and your community well.

It has been a difficult year so far as we face the hurdles of COVID-19 together. Communities and families in every corner of the nation are strongly feeling the impacts of a pandemic that is changing our world.

Despite the many new challenges that have arisen, at ALNF our passionate and dedicated team members have been working harder than ever and we are incredibly proud of what they have accomplished in such a short amount of time.

Our ways of working have quickly evolved to ensure our vital literacy and language programs can continue and that no community or child is left behind. Our online training, mentoring and support model is strong and flexible, meeting the changing needs of educators, carers and their children and young people.  

We are all deeply concerned about the impacts of COVID-19 on long-term education outcomes, particularly for our most vulnerable and marginalised children. In consultation with educators and parents we have devised strategies to provide them with the additional support they need through this period of upheaval, and equip them with effective tools to work intensively with their children to help them catch up and keep up. 

We are inspired daily by driven and committed educators, more determined than ever to ensure that their children receive the right support at this time. Our online sessions have been a huge success and it is in no small part thanks to the tenacity of the individuals on the ground, in communities across Australia. 

As new challenges arise, the experienced ALNF team continues to fight for solutions because we must stand behind our educators, teachers and parents today, tomorrow and into the future.

We also want to take this opportunity to thank our valued ALNF friends for your ongoing support, encouragement and assistance at this crucial time. You make what we do each and every day possible, and we are grateful.

With the best wishes for your continued health and wellbeing,

Mary-Ruth Mendel & Kim Kelly
ALNF Co-Founders

Hi Amelia, 

It feels as though change is upon us. The Black Lives Matter movement has galvanised action around the globe, seeking to bring justice, freedom and healing to people of colour everywhere.

We see Australians examining our own context more closely, looking for a way to give back and end the cycle of poverty, exploitation and human rights abuses faced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

At ALNF, we truly believe that literacy and education are crucial to creating and sustaining the change that we so desperately need. 

Literacy is freedom. It is the freedom to take control of your life, to be informed, to have a voice, to stand up for your rights, to be politically conscious, to be self-confident, to resist exploitation, to be self-reliant and to write your own history.  Literacy unlocks the door to learning and a world of endless possibilities.

We all have a part to play in ensuring that a tomorrow for Indigenous youth is filled with opportunity and hope. We must acknowledge that so much more needs to be done to improve these young lives and keep fighting for equality and empowerment.

Today we ask you to once again join us in transforming vulnerable lives through community-driven, best practice and groundbreaking education programs that work. Today, you can give a child the tools they need to rewrite their future into a story of happiness and success.

There is nothing unavoidable about illiteracy. This is a challenge that we can and must overcome, and every donation brings us one step closer.

We thank you endlessly for your support over the many years ALNF has been active in this space, and it is your generosity that has allowed us to work shoulder-to-shoulder with incredible communities to battle illiteracy, inequity and disadvantage every single day. 

Take care,

Kim Kelly

ALNF Co-Founder and Executive Director