ALWAYS ASK FOR HELP

Always Ask for Help

Synopsis

The documentary shares Arnie’s life as an impoverished child in the remote mining town of Cobalt, Ontario. At 15, his school principal kicked him out and told him he would never amount to anything. 

He reached a literacy low point at 45, when he accidentally fed his children dog food because he could not read the generic label. 

Ultimately, he met Janet Lee, an educator, who helped him present his story to 28,000 Canadian students. He handed out “Arnie” cards encouraging children and adults to “Always Ask for Help.”

Tragically, Stewart died from cancer in 2012. After his death, Janet Lee, and Sylvia Caminer, a 2 time Emmy-Award winning director, have begun to share his story and highlight the real-life consequences of low literacy. In addition, they want to share educational tools, insights and support in an effort to encourage people to ask for help and transform the low literacy epidemic. 

Why Support This Film?

There are millions of adults and children suffering from low literacy. The thing separating them from the help they need is being ashamed to ask for help. Arnie's story told through archived recordings and film can help people have the courage to ask for help. The most effective medium for communication is film. People who have low literacy will not pick up a book or even respond to messages extending a helping hand. A documentary will inspire people who need help to reach out using Arnie's Always Ask for Help card.

The story contains inspiring words about teaching and the difference teachers make. It shows how introducing an authentic story to learners can be the catalyst for change.

Our Crew!

Sylvia Caminer (Writer-Director-Producer) is an Emmy® Award-winner with extensive credits in theatre, film and television. She directed the award-winning and critically acclaimed documentaries: Rick Springfield: An Affair of the Heart, and Tanzania: A Journey Within. She directed the thriller Follow Her, which has garnered critical acclaim.

For television, Sylvia recently won her second Emmy Award for producing the travel series Samantha Brown’s Places To Love. Sylvia also earned an Emmy Award for directing the popular Discovery/Travel Channel program Great Hotels (which she also produced and co-wrote). She earned a fourth Emmy nomination for directing Passport To Europe and produced and directed Passport To Latin America (hosted by Samantha Brown).

Sylvia has also produced various programs for TLC, WE, Lifetime and PBS. She has worked with top talent over the years including Neil Patrick Harris, Amanda Peet, Tony Danza, Ice T, Jerry Stiller, Chris Noth, and screen legends Betty White, Ben Gazzara & Rita Moreno. 
She is excited to direct Always Ask for Help: The Story of Arnie Stewart and share the true story of a Canadian legend.

Janet Lee (Writer - Producer) is an educator, an author and global speaker on low literacy and the changes that can be made to eliminate this epidemic. She was also Arnie Stewart's  advocate, best friend and teacher. Together, they started a literacy movement in Canada to raise awareness for adults with low literacy. The duo travelled to reach thousands of students. Since Arnie's passing in 2012, Janet Lee has continued as an educator specializing in literacy and content development. 

Her background is varied in international K-12/higher education including curriculum development publications, media literacy, and micro-learning video production. A renowned speaker for Innovative Educators, her global presentations inspire teachers to reimagine their approach to students in need of assistance. The life-changing experience working with Arnie guides her work today. Her book, Always Ask for Help was published in February 2024.