Category Archive: Inside First Book Canada

Behind the Scenes at First Book Canada: Calyssa

Posted in: Inside First Book Canada

Can you tell us a bit about what you do as the Communications Coordinator? As Communications Coordinator, I create, curate, and manage all our communications going out across a variety of channels. I’m constantly checking on our online community through our social media platforms, creating emails to our donors and... Read more

A Decade in Review

Posted in: Inside First Book Canada

Top 10 First Book Canada Moments, 2009 – 2019 When we started in 2009, we had a small, dedicated team of 2. Now, in 2019, we are a passionate and committed team of 7. As we celebrate our 10th anniversary, let’s look back on the last decade of growth, success, and... Read more

We Need To Gain Knowledge From Many Places

Posted in: Inside First Book Canada

This was written by Programs Intern, Connor Richter. “Anyone who thinks one book has all the answers hasn’t read enough books.” Brian K. Vaughan This is a quote from the award-winning graphic novelist, Brian K. Vaughan. It comes from one of his most celebrated works: Saga, a genre-defying serial comic.*... Read more

Making an Impact: A Letter from the Executive Director

Posted in: Focus on First Book Canada, Inside First Book Canada

Click here to read the 2018 Impact Report in full. Education is a child’s best path out of poverty, but almost 25% of Canadian households do not have a single book. Providing children and youth with books to read, especially at home, has proven to help to improve literacy, education outcomes... Read more

Behind the Scenes at First Book Canada: Tessa

Posted in: Focus on First Book Canada, Inside First Book Canada

Tessa Eisenberg is the National Engagement Coordinator at First Book Canada. The first thing you notice when walking up to her office is the giant poster of comments that detail how individuals receiving books from First Book Canada will use and distribute them to the kids they serve. Can you tell me... Read more

Behind the Scenes at First Book Canada: Rebeca

Posted in: Focus on First Book Canada, Inside First Book Canada

Rebeca Delgado is the Programs Coordinator at First Book Canada. Can you tell us a bit about what you do as Programs Coordinator? As Programs Coordinator, there are 3 major things that I oversee. 1: For the First Book Canada Marketplace, I oversee the book purchases – making sure we have a variety of... Read more

Behind the Scenes at First Book Canada: Grace

Posted in: Focus on First Book Canada, Inside First Book Canada

Grace Mahas is the Communications and Events Intern managing the 2018 – 2019 Raptors 905 Reading Challenge and the 8th Annual RBC Capital Markets Pongapalooza. Do you want to start with introducing yourself? My name is Grace, I’m the Communications and Events Intern at First Book Canada. I do a... Read more

Behind the Scenes at First Book Canada: Gurdeep

Posted in: Focus on First Book Canada, Inside First Book Canada

Gurdeep Dhaliwal is the Strategic Alliances Manager at First Book Canada. When you first started, what was that like? I completed the Creative Book Publishing Program at Humber College, and through that the opportunity to apply for an internship with First Book Canada came up. From there, I was hired on as a Strategic Alliance Coordinator. It was just... Read more

Behind the Scenes at First Book Canada: Tom

Posted in: Focus on First Book Canada, Inside First Book Canada

Tom Best is the Executive Director of First Book Canada. When Tom started, there were only about 125 registered members. He’s seen it grow from this concentrated number to a steadily growing network of over 9,000 members. Can you start with telling me a bit about your day to day?  The nice thing is that... Read more

Behind the Scenes at First Book Canada: Heather

Posted in: Focus on First Book Canada, Inside First Book Canada

Heather Farquharson is the Deputy Executive Director at First Book Canada.  She joined First Book Canada in November 2017. She is the connector, overseeing First Book Canada operations and managing all elements from fundraising to member communications. What’s your day to day look like?  I’m responsible for the integrated operations of First... Read more