The Currency of Literacy “Building Business & Civic Partnerships”

1. The Currency of Literacy “Building Business & Civic Partnerships”

2. Declining graduation rates Poverty Homelessness Unemployment Drop outs Crime Health issues Financial illiteracy Social issues Lack of job skills Impact on families Economic costs Welfare costs Under-employment

3. The Perfect Storm • Average literacy scores are expected to decline over the next 25 years • Impact of individuals leaving the workforce over the next 25 years • Less competitive generationwith a significant impact on the workforce

4. Something to think about….. • 30 million workers in the USA can read only minimally. • 40 million workers in the USA are not at a reading level sufficient for evolving technology. • Almost 4 million adults in the USA cannot read, sign their names, or perform simple addition or subtraction.

5. ..…and there’s more • One-third of companies surveyed said poor reading and writing skills among hourly workers is a serious problem. • Another survey indicates that 40% of the labor force has limited literacy skills.

6. Think About This……….. • It is estimated that 25% of citizens in Alabama are functioning at the lowest functional literacy level – which equates to overone million citizens !

7. Think About This……….. • 43% live in poverty • 50% of welfare recipients • 70% of Alabama inmates • Literacy rates in West Alabamarange from 23% to 51% • 61% of low income families do not have a book in their home. • 40% of children entering school in Tuscaloosa County areconsidered at risk.

8. ”……there is a certain sterility in economic monuments that stand alone in a sea of illiteracy.” John Kenneth Galbraith

9. Questions To Ask • How does illiteracy affect people in our community & region? • What resources are available to promote literacy? • What are other groups, agencies and organizations doing currently? • How can we work together to increase literacy? • How do we measure and sustain success?

10. Why Engage Business • Address employers’ needs for highly skilled workers • Reduce costs of employee turnover • Ensure employees have required English language skills • Improve safety performance • Recognize connections between literacy, economic development and quality of life

11. Benefits To Business & Community • Training and upgrading skills of future and incumbent workers • Improved corporate culture and morale • Increased employee retention & improved worker satisfaction • Increased competitiveness • Better understanding of worker skill needs • Strengthened reputation and image

12. A Skilled Literate Workforce Creates • a stronger economy by attracting more jobs • benefits and higher wages • decreases turnover and increases productivity • contributes to a community with less poverty and crime. • stronger families support the education of children by breaking the cycle ofinter-generational illiteracy

13. Literacy Council Mission The mission of the Literacy Council of West Alabama is to champion the power of literacy to improve the lives of children, adults, families and communities in West Alabama.

14. Literacy Council Vision The vision of The Literacy Council is to build a region in which each person is functionally literate.

15. Literacy Council Values • Empower people • Raise children for success • Healthier families • Employability • Safer, livable communities • Changing lives

16. Objectives of the Literacy Council • Increase awareness • Advocacy • Enhance coordination • Build alliances • Build capacity & quality

18. Chamber of Commerce of West Alabama United Way Shelton State Community College Project Literacy University of Alabama Rotary Club of Tuscaloosa Tuscaloosa’s One Place Success By Six Vocational Rehab ESL programs Advertising FederationTuscaloosa Chapter Public Relations Council of Alabama Stillman College WVUA-TV Comcast Clear Channel Radio Alabama Power Foundation Tuscaloosa Public Library Tuscaloosa Housing Authority Faith-based programs Community Services of West Alabama Department of Human Resources Career Link & WIA National Guard Other Civic Clubs Area Corporate Foundations Literacy Council Partners

19. Applause for progress • Literacy awareness • Literacy Summit • Imagination Library • Success By Six • Pre K initiatives • Literacy is the edge – LITE • Future initiatives

20. Literacy Improves Lives • Expands opportunities to achieve goals in your personal & professional life and in the community. • Creates opportunities for better careers and job performance. • Enhances a community’s competitive edge.

21. The Potential Role of Business • Offer workplace literacy and skills training to prospective and current employees • Serve on advisory groups • Collaborate with providers on curriculum • Advocate for adult literacy • Hire graduates of partner programs • Provide funding and in-kind support for adult education/workforce development programs • Volunteer as tutors • Develop support tools, e.g., hardware and software for adult learners & trainers

22. Project Ideas: Adult Education • Support literacy centers where people can come to read and work with tutors. • Provide volunteers for tutoring. • Provide transportation for students attending literacy classes. • Establish workplace literacy initiatives.

23. Project Ideas: Workplace Literacy • Sponsor a business breakfast for civic, governmental and community leaders to learn about workforce literacy. • Provide workplace literacy programs for civic club meetings • Provide awards & recognition for firms with the comprehensive & innovative literacy programs for employees. • Hold an adult & workplace literacy summit for the community or region.

24. Raising Public Awareness • Support local literacy centers to publicize their classes & programs • Engage Ad Federation, PRCA & media • Use International Literacy Day as an opportunity to promote literacy awareness.

25. Raising Public Awareness • Reward students who read the most books, win a spelling bee or a book-report contest, or tutor others. • Honor outstanding teachers & tutors • Give special recognition to local literacy programs or to businesses that support literacy efforts.