Literacy: Spanning
the U.S.
Literacy Coalition’s 25-year story an excellent read
Palm
Beach Post: 01.29.2015 by Faran Fagen
In 1989, community leaders
established the Palm Beach County
Literacy Coalition to give non-readers a fighting chance.
In the winter of 1991, the group’s
first Literacy Lantern newsletter went out to the community. Its opening
sentence: “Literacy providers and concerned residents in Palm Beach County
share a common dream – to eliminate illiteracy.”
In 2015, as the Literacy Coalition
celebrates its 25th anniversary, the fight is still on. But the nonprofit has
multiplied in strength and numbers, resulting in more readers than ever before
in the county.
“For 25 years, the Literacy
Coalition of Palm Beach County has worked to improve the quality of life in our
community by promoting and achieving literacy,” said coalition CEO Kristin
Calder. “Through extensive outreach and collaboration with a network of
community partners, the Literacy Coalition strives to ensure that individuals
who need to improve their literacy skills receive the help they need.”
One in seven adults in Palm Beach
County is unable to read and understand information found in books, newspapers
and manuals, and nearly half of all third-graders are not reading on grade
level. By providing services to more than 27,000 adults, children and families
each year, the Literacy Coalition’s goal is for every child and every adult in
Palm Beach County to be able to read. READ
MORE !
Lighthouse Library helping to
encourage literacy
Winfield
Courier: 1.20.2015
Determined and dedicated volunteers
have made the Lighthouse
Library in Dexter a reality. A group of individuals wanting to abolish
illiteracy came together about seven years ago to map out a plan to serve the
public with books and up-to-date technology in an inviting environment. The
library has more than 23,000 books and a computer lab consisting of 10
computers in one location and several others throughout the building
At this time, Kansas has a seven
percent illiteracy rate. With this in mind, the library sponsors reading groups
and other activities to instill a love of reading. It also serves as a location
for other community events. “Dress Like a Pirate Day,” held last summer, was a
health and safety fair cosponsored with the Cowley County Health Department.
The daily operation of the library
is made possible by seven volunteers. The library receives no government
funding but relies solely on private and corporate donations.
Funding from the Grouse Valley Lodge and
the Treasure
Chest Thrift Store are projected to pay about half of the expenses. But
more donations are needed to support this worthwhile project. Both monthly and
annual donations are greatly appreciated and are tax deductible. If you share
the vision that this project is important and worthwhile, contact Lynn
Pettigrew Norris at ECCRC, P.O. Box 40, Dexter, KS 67038.
Well-informed, literate people can
accomplish wonders. Quality libraries and modern technology make it possible
for people to be well-informed. READ
MORE !
Kern Literacy Council working to
improve local literacy level
KERO
23: 1.20.2015
When it comes to knowing how to read
and write, Kern County bottoms the list on national surveys every year.
The Kern County Grand Jury recently
reviewed the Kern Literacy Council to see
what is being done to improve reading levels in Kern County.
About 260 students walk in through
the Kern Literacy Council every month to improve their reading and
comprehension skills.
"There are so many people who
have not learned to read, haven't had the opportunity to finish school for some
reason or another," said Executive Director Jeff Nickell.
According to the American Census
Bureau, 15% of Kern County residents cannot read above a ninth grade level -
and people across the country are noticing.
"Central Connecticut State did
come out, they've done a survey," explained Nickell, "last 7 years or
so, we have been 75 out of 75 of the bad end of the list." READ
MORE !
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