Literature for Life began with a single reading circle for young mothers at Jessie’s Centre for Teenagers and was incorporated as a non-profit charitable organization in August 2000.  Since that time the organization has grown to six reading circles for at-risk teenage mothers across the Greater Toronto Area.

We have published numerous anthologies of work by our reading circle participants, and the young women have performed their own poetry and spoken word at a variety of venues and events, including at the Health Care Train Luncheon in 2002 for Leah and Desmond Tutu and with spoken word artist Motion at our 6th Birthday Party.

As a result of discussions with program participants, Literature for Life began publishing and distributing Yo’ Mama Magazine in 2002. The magazine, the only one of its kind in Canada, is written for young mothers by young mothers and is distributed free of charge across the GTA and beyond. It has become an essential communication tool for professionals working with this client group. Since that time we have developed an insert for the magazine - Solace which deals specifically with issues of violence in young families’ lives and communities. Both magazines are written, edited and designed by young mothers.

In 2003-2005 Literature for Life employed 10 young mothers in our offices to provide on-the-job training and educational opportunities, all of whom have gone on to post-secondary education, employment or even their own businesses.

Literature for Life continues to expand to other priority neighborhoods in Toronto, and in 2007, joining with Recognize the Real, will start its first program for young men.

Copyright 2008 by Literature For Life.