Literacy as a global mission interested Ruth Johnson Colvin for years. When, in 1961, she learned that more than 11,000 people in her adopted hometown of Syracuse, New York, were illiterate. “Why doesn’t somebody do something?” she wondered. In 1962, she did something—she started Literacy Volunteers of America (LVA), one of the founding organizations of ProLiteracy. Her legacy is the country's largest literacy program.
When Dr. Robert Laubach (Dr. Bob), was in high school in Manila, Philippines, he learned to set type and run the printing press that produced reading material for people in Laubach Literacy programs. Out of that work, he started New Readers Press. Today, New Readers Press has grown to become a leading resource for adult literacy, publishing more than 400 titles for adult learners and their teachers.
Marty is still working towards earning his GED. In 2013, Marty was invited to be on the floor of the Arizona House of Representatives as the honored guest of his local representative.
The ProLiteracy "For My Daughter" video highlights one of the social issues of low adult literacy. Did you know that one out of six children who do not read at age level by the end of third grade will not graduate from high school? Low-skilled parents cannot read to their children, nor encourage a love of learning. When low-skilled adults improve their literacy skills, this impacts the literacy of their children.
The United States of America is in the grip of an illiteracy crisis, with nearly one in five of all adults unable to read. Reporter Kiki King visits Detroit where two thirds of high school students struggle with basic reading skills.
We at ProLiteracy are so proud of these domestic violence survivors and the progress they made. Each One Teach One is one of the organizations that has benefited from ProLiteracy and the Dollar General Literacy Foundation.
ProLiteracy has teamed up with Participant Media and Pivot TV to raise awareness of adult literacy in the United States.
Working with ProLiteracy, Pivot will encourage viewers to volunteer with local literacy organizations and to advocate for improved literacy services nationwide.
Check out the video ATTN created to spread awareness about adult literacy! See the original post here: https://tinyurl.com/ATTN-ProLiteracy
Watch as Cleo reveals her biggest secret to her friends and family about how she struggles to read.
Click the playlist icon in the top left corner of the video to see the entire playlist.
