Literacy - Spanning the U.S: Forsyth GA, Ionia MI, Washtenaw MI

Literacy:  Spanning the U.S.

Vietnam vets learn about literacy efforts

Forsyth County News: 3.15.2014 by Marty Farrell

CUMMING —The executive director of a Forsyth County organization dedicated to reducing illiteracy and the economic and social toll it can take recently spoke to a gathering of the Cumming chapter of the Vietnam Veterans of America.

Annaliza Thomas with Literacy Forsyth said the local community is reflective of the problem nationwide, where an estimated 32 million Americans are functionally illiterate. That means they can’t read or write well enough to succeed in the complex modern society.

According to Thomas, there are about 13,000 people in Forsyth who don’t have a high school diploma. That’s why the organization joins with schools to help identify and assist sixth-12th graders who are at risk of dropping out.  READ MORE !

'Howard's Dream' comes to life; author at Ionia Expo Saturday

Sentinel Standard: 3.14.2014

Ionia's newest author is Howard Tompkins. Tompkins and his new children's book, "Howard's Dream" were introduced at the Ionia Rotary meeting held at Olivera's Restaurant Feb. 26.

"Howard's Dream" is the true story of a local boy's struggles with reading. It is a touching story of perseverance and not giving up hope.

Tompkins, an Ionia County resident, wrote "Howard's Dream" to tell others about his lifelong difficulty with dyslexia and his inability to read, and to encourage others like himself to seek help to improve their reading skills.

At age 55, Tompkins is learning to read with the help of volunteers at the Ionia County Literacy Council. Tompkins hopes his book will encourage others who want help with their reading skills to contact the Literacy Council. He also hopes this book will encourage children to read and not make fun of other kids who learn differently.

"Howard's Dream" was two years in the making, with the Rotary Club of Ionia, Rotary District 6360 and Cargill Kitchen Solutions picking up the costs of printing and publishing.  READ MORE !

Washtenaw Literacy Publication Relates Literacy to Achievement and Community Health

WN.com: 3.13.2014

PRNewswire/ -- A new publication from Washtenaw Literacy explores the impact of illiteracy on lifestyle and overall community health in one of Michigan's most highly educated counties. The Impact of Adult Illiteracy in Washtenaw County was inspired by the recent worldwide assessment of adult literacy by the Programmefor the International Assessment of Adult Competencies (PIAAC), which confirms that low literacy is getting worse in the United States, just as investments in adult education have hit a ten-year low.

Author Amy Goodman, Executive Director of Washtenaw Literacy, relates this sobering data to the illiteracy challenges faced within Washtenaw County, highlighting the importance of accelerating efforts to improve literacy levels. Non-profit Washtenaw Literacy is Michigan's oldest and most productive literacy agency, having served more than 20,000 adults with tutoring for basic reading and writing skills.

"As a root cause of poverty, low literacy skills contribute to homelessness, food insecurity, unemployment, poor health outcomes, poor civic involvement, and weak parenting skills," said Goodman. "Illiteracy is a hidden cost of living we all bear."  READ MORE !