How exciting! I received word today from one of the directors at the Literacy Center of West Michigan that they 

 will be featured on ABC World News with Charles Gibson.  The segment is slated to air on Tuesday February

26th during its 6:30 PM newscast.  In our area, ABC World News with Charles Gibson airs on WZZM TV Channel

13 and WOTV Channel 4.                         

The Literacy Center's segment wraps up the network's two-part series: Living in the Shadows: Illiteracy in

America, on the plight of illiterate adults.  The series begins tonight with a look at some of the causes of

illiteracy, devoting its February 26th segment to various solutions with a focus on the Literacy Center's work. 

The February 26th segment is scheduled to feature a Literacy Center tutor and two adult learners, as well as

show the impact of a Customized Workplace English Program at Lacks Enerprises, Inc. This program tutors

English at the job site in a group, so workers can learn more job specific language and focus on certain areas of

learning that are required most by their jobs. Most employers have found it to be a winning progarm for their

workers and for the company.      

Having been a volunteer for the Literacy for the past 10 years, (read my MEME blog) this is a cause that I can

appreciate. The illiterate adult is trapped in a very small, confusing and fear-ridden world. The act of admitting

one can't read and reaching out for help is often the most difficult step they make. 

Current statistics estimate: 7 million Americans are illiterate, 27 million are unable to read well enough to

complete a job application and 30 million can't read a simple sentence. These are staggering statistics for one of

 the wealthiest countries on earth; 64 million people that can't read a map, a prescription, much less a real

estate contract!!  Imagine how this affects our economy? If you have a couple of hours a week, you can affect

another person's life in profound ways by teaching them to read.

                                                                           Copyright by Bonnie Westbrook 2008                                                                                                                                                                                                      

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                                                                            Email: terry@terrywestbrook.com