Three days a week, Gloria Thomas takes classes for basic computer skills and Microsoft Office at Literacy Action, Inc’s office on Edgewood Avenue. She worked at the Georgia World Congress Center in public safety, and turned to the nonprofit when she got laid off.
“I found out about Literacy Action and the classes they offered, and started going,” recalls Thomas, who has now been attending classes for two years. “I learned new skills, but the classes also helped me to stay busy and stay positive.”
Last Saturday, over 300 people participated in the Second Annual 5K Run/Walk for Literacy in Decatur hosted by the Literacy Alliance of Metro Atlanta. Over 40 agencies, including Literacy Action, benefitted from the coalition’s attempt to build awareness about Atlanta’s illiteracy problem.
“Adults with low or no literacy have an immediate impact on the next generation,” said Dave Peterson, chair of the Board of Trustees for Literacy Action. “[Literacy Action’s] goal is to remediate this at an adult level, so these basic skills are passed onto younger generations.”
Twenty-eight percent of Metro Atlanta’s population, or 900,000 people, have low literacy skills. The walk raised over $11,000 that will benefit programs in various agencies throughout Atlanta.
LAMA’s collaborative work to raise literacy awareness benefits programs such as DeKalb County Library System’s work to teach women and families in shelters basic literacy skills, and Literacy Volunteers of Atlanta’s programs that provide basic literacy and English for Speakers of Other Languages, among other services.
All the organizations that benefit from LAMA count on volunteers to help alleviate this problem in Atlanta. People can go to schools to read to children or become tutors for the many people who seek services from the literary services agencies.
Laura Hauser, Literary Services Coordinator for DeKalb County Library Services, added, “We want to raise the awareness of the literacy problem, promote learning needs. And, it is not possible without our community’s support.
For more information on the Literacy Alliance of Metro Atlanta, visit www.literacyallianceatlanta.org
In Other News: Applebee’s on Thornton Road in Lithia Springs donated $620 to Christian Aid Mission Partnership for its work in the Lithia Springs, Powder Springs, Austell, Mableton, and Clarkdale communities. The nonprofit serves over 12,000 people annually through its food pantry, clothing closet, and emergency financial aid program.
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