Wednesday, July 11, 2018

Literacy – Spanning the US :: Upshur Co WV :: Flint/Genesee Co MI :: Augusta Co VA


Literacy: Spanning the U.S.     

Local group looking for a new location
The Intermountain: 5.31.2018 by Sarah Goodrich

A nonprofit organization that has dedicated years to helping community members is at risk of shutting down if a new location is not found soon.

For the past 30 years, Literacy Volunteers of Upshur County has been utilizing office space donated by the Holy Rosary Catholic Church. Throughout those years, LVUC has assisted more than 400 Upshur County residents improve their literacy skills.

Currently, LVUC provides free confidential literacy services to adult learners in reading, math, computers, life skills and English as a second language. Volunteer tutors would like to expand the services offered, including literacy in financial, auto care, healthcare and nutrition.

However, the church recently had to make a tough decision in which they would no longer be able to provide the space to LVUC beyond Aug. 31.

LVUC Interim Director Cortney Meriwether and incoming Director Kristy Stewart spoke to Buckhannon City Council recently, expressing their need for a new location.

The duo explained the timing of the relocation is coming during a period of inconsistent leadership and financial instability, as LVUC has had a high turnover with directors in the past few years.

“For three years we’ve been running a pretty big deficit,” Meriwether said. “Which wouldn’t be the worst thing because so far we’ve been turning things around this year. We’ve had a great 2018 so far.”

In order to keep the doors open, the group is relying on a small budget entirely based on fundraising, grants and community support.

“It’s a challenge that’s coming at a bad time,” she said. “But we feel like we’re up for it.”

Now, the group is appealing to the community for recommendations or assistance with finding a new location.  READ MORE >>

Flint & Genesee Literacy Network (FGLN) receives $10,000 grant from the Dollar General
Flushing View: 5.31.2018

The Flint & Genesee Literacy Network was awarded a grant from the Dollar General Literacy Foundation for $10,000, to support adult literacy in Flint and Genesee County.

The grant is part of more than $8.3 million in grants awarded to nearly 1,000 schools, non-profits and organizations across the 44 states that Dollar General serves.

“This grant will go a long way toward helping the Flint & Genesee Literacy Network improve literacy levels in adults. We will be able to increase the capacity of the Adult Learning Centers and their Site Coordinators to provide consultation, training, diagnostic screenings, webbased learning resources, and develop individualized learning plans,” said Jeremiah White, Community Impact Coordinator at the Flint & Genesee Literacy Network.

Adult Learning Centers (ALCs) are a collaborative strategy of FGLN and designed to address the individual needs of adult students through adult education programs and activities.

Genesee County is challenged by a silent crisis of unemployment with nearly 11% of residents out of work. This rate doubles within the City of Flint, leaving about 25% of residents unemployed. Often, the adults who struggle the most are those living with low literacy skills, affecting their ability to complete a job application, calculate change at a restaurant, or read the information on a prescription bottle. This crisis severely limits the region’s potential for future growth and prosperity.  READ MORE >>

Given a promotion at work, Draft man admits he struggles to read
News Leader: 6.05.2018 by Megan Williams

Mike Mawyer has been a welder for 10 years. Recently he was given the opportunity complete a program at work to help advance his career.

There was only one problem. Mawyer was reading at a fourth grade reading level, not sufficient to complete the program.

Mawyer was pushed through the school system year after year, despite barely passing grades and a severe lack of literacy. He has a high school diploma but could barely read.

Instead of allowing this to hold him back, Mawyer contacted the LEARN program. LEARN stands for Learn English and Reading Now, Inc. an adult literacy, volunteer organization that provides free tutoring in reading and English in the Augusta County area.

According to the United States Census Bureau, 28 percent of Staunton, Waynesboro and Augusta County residents don't have a high school diploma and 12 percent of residents lack basic literacy skills.

In addition there is a growing population of residents from whom English is not a first language and they want to learn.  READ MORE >>

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