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COABE 2026
COABE 2026
Coalition of Adult Basic Education
Our first animation teaser was screened at the Women in Film and Television showcase!
Announcing!!
The Always Ask for Help Toolkit for Teachers is available in May 2026. Reserve yours today!
Some good news and wonderful progress on my documentary film, Always Ask for Help!! The animations are coming to life! Made from children's renditions of Arnie's stories, notice the lined paper background and the squiggly word road signs that Arnie couldn't read.
It's happening and giving me so much hope and inspiration! If you would like to donate, please visit: https://alwaysaskforhelp.allyrafundraising.com/.../12802... Any amount helps us reach our goal of post production editing and completion!
Many thanks to Dana Corrigan's team of animators and most recent donations from Chicks Making Flicks, Wanda De Boer Moeller, Candace Gallinson, Megan Willoughby, Zarka Steven, Darlene Charles, Jarine Zuidema Dotson, Lisa Rimas, Fred Brisard, Dave Hutchinson, Mary Cummings, Carol Dekkers, Clarence Bolden III, Pamela Anne Wittner LeCompte, and many many more.
Upcoming Events!
Always Ask for Help Short Showcase Women in Film and Television!
I always love a red carpet! I only wish Arnie were here to see what we are doing with his story and the children's animations!
Always Ask for Help Update!
Well, hello, amazing fans and supporters of our Always Ask for Help Project! So much is happening with our work and I have exciting updates to share!
Our 4,000-mile book tour was a resounding success! I presented to University leaders, preservice teachers, and literacy organizations all along the way. I was incredibly moved by everyone sharing their stories and connecting with all aspects of the project!
We arrived in Cobalt excited to deliver the book to Arnie's family and friends. I was finally able to meet Arnie's sister, Margaret, and brother, Victor! All of the brothers' wives were in attendance, as were Arnie's childhood friends! It was all so surreal I could barely take it in. Visit the www.alwaysaskforhelp.com website for all the details of the trip!
Safety Harbor Kiwanis Club!!
The Safety Harbor Kiwanis club welcomed us to their February meeting at the Safety Harbor Art and Music Center. I signed books and accepted some wonderful donations from the members! These donations are instrumental in moving the project to the animation production phase! Next, I spoke at the Kiwanis Club at the Clearwater High School. Students shared their thoughts about the story and considered how their efforts as literacy helpers in the community will make a difference, like Arnie did.
I was also so honored to be invited to speak at the University of Tampa about the marketing of the project. Thank you for having me, Eva Mavrakos. I was also so excited to meet with my favorite Instructional Design professor, Dr. Tony Erben! It was amazing to talk about the project and discuss future collaborations!
Chicks Making Flicks and Pitching at Sunscreen Film Festival
The Chicks Making Flicks created by Wanda De Boer Moeller is a group dedicated to providing a positive forum for the education, encouragement and empowerment of women in the film and television industries and cultivating the best future for the next generation of women in film. After attending a wonderful Chicks Making Flicks power brunch at the Dunedin Film Festival, I joined Chicks Making Flicks committee to support other women making films in our community. These women have inspired me and helped me to connect with other film experts in the area. I met the fabulous Julie Chalhoub at this brunch. She and I have become good friends! Julie has volunteered to help categorize the 4Ts of footage I have for the film! She has amazing experience with this and her generous help is going to move us from production to post!!
Lessons about Pitching. Three years ago, I stood in front of the Sunscreen Film Fest panel of producers for the first time. I was shaking and reading from a paper. With the help of lessons in pitching at From the Heart Productions, this year, I stood proudly before the producers and pitched the project without nerves! I explained the premise and how far I have come with the project. This pitch was well received by the panel. I am very proud to be able to stand with other filmmakers and feels like I belong with them! I even knew one of the panelists who stood up from his chair and supported the project to his peers. Thank you, Joe Davison!!
If you are not in Safety Harbor, please consider donating to the project. ANY amount will help us meet our next goal of funding the animation team!
As always, thank you for continuing to cheer us on. I am staying focused and committed to the purpose of our mission.
You Are Cordially Invited to my birthday party/Movie Night!!
Like the title of our project, I must continue to learn how to Always Ask for Help.
Please help us - Fundraising page!
Here's me asking for your help! We need to move this project towards the finish line. And every little bit helps us!
If you are in the area, plan on dropping by my Sunshine Cottage on May 13th at 6-9 PM! You will meet the new animation team and hear an update on the project! I will have a silent auction to raise money for the project and I would just love to see everyone! Bring a friend! 526 5th Ave North Safety Harbor, Florida 34695.
The documentary, Always Ask for Help, shares the true story of Arnie Stewart, who overcame poverty and homelessness to become a Canadian Hero for literacy. His courageous mission to shine a light on literacy earned him the Queen's Golden Jubilee Medal. Janet Lee was his teacher and friend.
Book Tour 2024!
We are gearing up for our amazing book tour 2024 starting August 10th! This tour will be filmed for our documentary, Always Ask for Help. The point of the tour is to personally deliver 6 boxes of books from Tampa Bay to Cobalt, Ontario. What an honour for me to live up to the promise I made 20 years ago and bring Arnie's story home. We will travel through North Carolina to NewPort Rhode Island, Maine, Sudbury, Cobalt, Niagara Falls, and Pittsburgh!
On September 3rd, my former education professor Dr. Jean Anne Hattler and I will visit my old alma mater, Chatham University in Pittsburgh. I will talk about the ripple effect of our work demonstrating how important teachers are to all of us!
Watch and share our awesome Hollywood Sizzle Reel
Always Ask for Help on Audible!!
Follow our journey on Tiktok!!
Follow and share our journey on Instagram and Tiktok!
We encourage you to reply with video messages to cheer us on as we go!
Always Ask for Help Update!
I have received photos of people holding their purchased copies of Always Ask for Help. It is a part of the process I wasn’t expecting…what it would feel like to put my own story out into the world. I am so touched to hear your stories and to know that we have more in common than we thought. I just returned from Oklahoma City where I spoke to teachers at the Education Explosion Conference! It was so inspiring to hear the stories of teachers on the front lines!
Always Ask for Help was published by Audible last week! Now you can listen to Arnie actually tell his story. So many others contributed to our narrative including Arnie’s Nephew, my family, and even the neighborhood children reading Arnie letters in the book. Thank you all!
We have Fiscal Sponsorship!!
I am excited to let you know that a wonderful organization called From the Heart Productions has given our project fiscal sponsorship. This means that donors can now receive tax deductions for contributing to the Arnie project!
From the Heart Productions is also providing us with opportunities to connect with mentors from the movie business. Directors and producers from all over the world are excited to know about the project and share their own experiences with us. The idea is to get in the same vibrational rhythm of the things you wish to manifest. It is happening!
Safety Harbor Book Signing!!
If you are in the area, plan on dropping by my book signing event on Wednesday, June 26th, 2024 at SIPS on Main Street. We will have a movie update and presentation at 6PM and 7PM. You can purchase a book or bring yours to get signed.
Exciting Book Tour Announcement
The Always Ask for Help road tour begins on August 3rd. We will journey from Tampa Bay through North Carolina, Philadelphia, Rhode Island, Maine, Ottawa, Barrie, Cobalt, Niagara Falls, Pittsburgh, Washington DC, and home again! If you are along our route, reach out to arrange a meet up with us!
As always, thank you for continuing to cheer us on. We are staying focused and committed to the purpose of our mission.
As Arnie always said, “We are making a difference with our hearts!”
Here's how to purchase Always Ask for Help!
"You're very inspirational. I had chills and goosebumps the entire presentation."
Middle School teacher
Presenting Always Ask for Help at the Education Explosion in Oklahoma City!
Always Ask for Help Available today!
This morning, our book Always Ask for Help was approved for worldwide distribution!
It is difficult to put into words what I have been going through over the last few months. Transcribing Arnie's story as he told it from archived audio recordings and then including my perspective and story required me to be brave. Asking for help from editors, thought leaders, media specialists, and trusted friends was humbling. I never predicted how publishing would require me to harness all my strength. Here's how to purchase Always Ask for Help!
Always Ask for Help is purposefully produced, encouraging readers to listen while they follow along in the text. All lines are left justified, photos captioned, no glossy pages, sans serif font, and page 100 is celebrated. Lesson plans for teachers can be found on our new website www.alwaysaskforhelp.com.
Testimonials for Janet Lee
"Thank you for coming and sharing with us today! This was an aspect of teaching I truly would not have considered being an issue because i didn't know it was so common." Pre-Service Teacher
"I loved you today and I feel so honored that you came to talk to us! Thank you for everything and keep going!" Pre-Service Teacher
"I'm going to try to find a speaker to send a message to four football players I'm working with who are on academic probation." Teacher
"I will incorporate this kind of authenticity in my work, and empower students to share their stories with me. I will also consider how I could put together a student panel to share stories." Teacher
"Thank you so much for recognizing the power of Arnie's story and encouraging us in education to make space for everyone's stories." Online Educator
Always Ask for Help shares the true story of Arnie Stewart and the impact of low literacy on his life. The remarkable documentary follows Arnie from as an extremely impoverished child with 11 siblings who shared two beds.
At 15, his school principal kicked him out of school and told him he would never amount to anything. His father also asked him to leave his home.
Later in life, he sought help at a literacy center. In 2007, he met Janet Lee, a high school teacher after he spoke to her class. Janet and Arnie teamed up and traveled to hundreds of schools where he bravely spoke about his low literacy. They handed out “Arnie” cards that encouraged children and adults to “Always Ask for Help.”
Arnie was awarded the Queen’s Golden Jubilee Medal for his work. He envisioned a world where everyone could read, write and achieve their potential.
Always Ask for Help will encourage readers!
Listen to Arnie as you read.
Font and format on the page was purposfully placed to help struggling readers keep up.
Page 100 is a celebration!
During their work together, Janet discovered that Arnie, in his late 50s, still could barely read. She thought his literacy could improve if she asked the students to write him letters. Within weeks, thousands of students sent him letters. Reading the letters and corresponding with the students filled him with joy and improved his reading and writing.
Arnie and Janet shared their dreams about how they could make a difference. They hoped the Arnie Card could become a symbol of empathy and goodwill in the world. Arnie rose from the ashes of his oppressed childhood and became a well-known advocate for literacy in Canada.
Always Ask for Help transcends Arnie's historical struggles with literacy to reveal stories of current adults living with low literacy. Witness the daily struggles of these individuals who make their way through life by creating work arounds to survive day to day tasks.
Meet Charlie Taylor
Meet Charlie Taylor
Our documentary is revealing the issue that persists today in the US.
Charlie Taylor lives on a boat gifted to him by a stranger on facebook.
Charlie never finished school but is an inspiration to the neighbors he assists everyday in Safety Harbor, Florida. He believes in the good of most people and tries to avoid those places where people overlook him altogether. His stories are Peter Pan adventures starring himself and his rescue dog, Lolita.
Always Ask for Help is in production!
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