Literacy: Spanning the US
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Fighting
Illiteracy Key to Economic Development
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Dan River: 4.21.2019 by The Editorial Board
In
the 21st century economy, the ability to read is a fundamental requirement.
A
person who either is completely illiterate or functionally illiterate or a
community that has a high illiteracy is at a distinct disadvantage socially
and, more importantly, economically.
That’s
why the work of Project
Literacy here in Danville and Pittsylvania County is so important to the
region’s economic rejuvenation.
The
latest statistics paint a somber portrait of the local population. According to
data, almost one in five residents — 18 percent — is illiterate, meaning they
essentially cannot read at all. When those who are functionally illiterate —
who can’t balance a checkbook or read a recipe or a newspaper — are included,
the percentage is even higher. By way of comparison, the national rate of
illiteracy is 14 percent of population.
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Literacy
is tied to everything Danville and Pittsylvania need to confront. From job
training to health care, from economic development to attracting new residents
and entrepreneurs — a community that is literate is a community that is healthy
and thriving.
Conversely,
a high rate of illiteracy, combined with functional illiteracy, is a symptom of
a community that has problems. Dire problems. Crime thrives where there is
illiteracy. Social dysfunction thrives where there is illiteracy. Economic
stagnation thrives where there is illiteracy.
READ
MORE >>
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Nonprofit
View: Literacy Council of Carroll County Marks 40 Years Serving Community
Carroll
County Times: 4.22.2019 by Sam Greenholtz-Literacy Council of Carroll
County
As
the Literacy Council of Carroll County
celebrates its 40th anniversary this year, I think back to the very beginning
when the primary focus of the organization was to teach people to read and
write, period. Then being literate meant being able to read and write at a
minimal level.
Defining
literacy in our changing world is not an easy task. In today’s environment it
is more defined as being proficient at reading and math, knowing how to use
technology and understanding the basic principles of problem-solving and
decision-making.
According
to the National
Adult Literacy Survey, approximately 44 million people in the United States
cannot read well enough to fill out a job application, read a food label, or
even read a children’s book. In Maryland, it is estimated 21% of all adults do
not have a high school diploma. The U.S. Department of Labor estimates that
literacy issues cost businesses $225 billion a year in lost productivity. READ
MORE >>
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A
Local Hero Found A Unique Way To Fight Adult Illiteracy Comic Books
Nations Well:
4.23.2019 by Joshua O'Connor & Alison Kotch
FIFTY
PERCENT OF IMMIGRANTS TO THE U.S. AREN’T ENGLISH-PROFICIENT. TWELVE PERCENT
LACK BASIC LITERACY SKILLS. IN VIRGINIA, A LOCAL COMIC BOOK STORE TEAMED UP
WITH A CHARITY TO HELP FIGHT ILLITERACY — NO SUPERPOWER REQUIRED.
Four Color
Fantasies assistant manager Erik Jones isn’t a superhero. But to the 12
percent of Virginians who lack basic literacy skills, he had an idea heroic
enough to make him seem like one.
After
giving comics to his niece and nephew when they were kids to try to get them to
enjoy reading, Jones went to a comic book convention, sketchbook in hand. He
asked his favorite artists to draw sketches for a local charity, Literacy Volunteers Winchester Area. All of
them agreed to contribute to the project.
Jones
and Literacy Volunteers hope the comics they create might introduce adult
readers to literature through image-based storytelling. For them and for other
proponents, comics are the perfect medium for non-readers. Many are image heavy
and light on text, so visuals might help provide context for what the words are
saying. WATCH 01:32
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Reading
is Rewarding at the Literacy Council of Fort Bend County
Katy
News: 4.23.2019
David
Klotz, a Literacy Council of Fort
Bend County student, has been honored as the winner of the Houston Money
Week Adult Literacy Essay Contest. David
will be the recipient of a $500 grand prize and will be recognized during a
ceremony at the Houston Money Week Wrap Up Event on Tuesday, May 14th.
David
is a High School Equivalency (HSE) student and his goal is to attain his
GED. David has been a student of the
Literacy Council of Fort Bend County for five years and volunteers at Catholic
Charities. David is not only an inspiration
to our organization, but also to our community.
Of
his win, David states, “If I can do it, anyone can do it… You just can’t give
up!”
David’s
most remarkable attributes are his perseverance in pursuing his GED and his
positive attitude towards everyone at the Literacy Council. READ
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