everyone needs to read
Donate to the KLC
Adult literacy is the root solution to many community challenges. Health, gender equality, poverty – every important social issue is impacted by low levels of literacy. When individuals learn how to read, write, do basic math, and use computers, they have the power to lift themselves out of poverty, manage their health, find and keep sustainable employment, and ultimately change their lives. Literacy is a vital part of everyday life. Whether it is completing a job application, filling out a medical form, or helping with a child’s homework – Everyone Needs to Read.
Thanks to the generosity of contributors like you, the Kalamazoo Literacy Council (KLC) is making an impact through literacy one household at a time. More than 700 adult learners are receiving the literacy and language services they need to reach their goals. With your help, the 143 parents served by the KLC will gain Parent Literacy support to help them become more engaged in their children’s learning. The 433 learners served by the KLC who are unemployed will have access to Workforce Literacy instruction to help them improve their job skills. The KLC’s Health Literacy, Financial Literacy, and Computer classes will improve the well-being of every household served. Most importantly, every adult who wants to learn to read will be able to study in a campus of 14 Community Literacy Centers served by a faculty of more than 200 trained volunteers.
While the vision of achieving a fully literate community for adults in Kalamazoo County is steadily becoming a reality, the KLC still needs your help and is asking you to support the 2019 Everyone Needs to Read Annual Campaign. Every contribution makes a difference. This year, thanks to the Irving S. Gilmore Foundation, new contributions or increased contributions from last year will be matched dollar-for-dollar. We encourage you to consider making a gift to the 2019 Everyone Needs to Read Annual Campaign and help us take advantage of this wonderful gift.
Thank you for taking the time to consider our request to help provide access to quality literacy services to adults in our community.
Donate to the KLC
One housEhold at a time
One household at a time: That is how the Kalamazoo Literacy Council (KLC) is helping adults in our community reach their goals. 2019 Mard Little Award for Adult Learner Excellence recipient Tecia Berry-Simpson is a great example of our mission at work. She was nominated for this award by her tutor, Sarah Bierema, for the progress she made in the past year and for her motivation to be the best “first teacher” to her son. Tecia also recently purchased her own home and started her business, Balloon Art by Tecia. She is an example for other learners to follow.
In Kalamazoo County, more than 25,000 adults struggle to read.
Every Contribution makes a difference
- $75 provides training materials and workbooks for one tutor and one student.
- $150 provides annual subscriptions (newspapers, books, and magazines) for 10 adult learners.
- $300 trains three volunteer tutors to begin literacy instruction.
- $750 provides scholarships for 10 tutors or instructors to attend training workshops to sharpen their skills.
- $1,000 funds the annual costs for materials, assessments, and instruction for 10 adult learners.
- $2,500 funds the books and supplies for a Community Literacy Center that can serve 25 learners annually.
- $5,000 funds the online academic instruction and in-class tutoring support for 50 adult learners annually.
Supporting tutor and student needs
The KLC provides free books and supplies to students and tutors so everyone who wants to learn how to read has the materials needed to take that very important step. Each tutor/student matched pair uses $100 annually in books and supplies.
$20,000
will be used to support 200 matched pairs.
Working Together
More than 30 organizations are working together as part of the Adult Literacy Collaboratives (ALC) of Kalamazoo County to ensure every adult has the educational level and skills to be succesful at work, at home, and in the community. This groups unites adults education, work-force development, literacy service providers, business, and other organizations to support he cause of adult literacy and is convented monthly by the KLC.
$2,500
will be used to support the ALC.
14
community literacy center in Kalamazoo.
Workforce Development
Everyone needs to get a job. The JOBS Program helps move people from literacy to work.
Early Childhood Ed
Everyone needs to read to help their children learn. 143 parents study with the KLC.
Healthcare
Everyone needs to read to manage their health. Health literacy helps learners make healthier decisions for their families.
All learners should have access to quality literacy services that empower them to reach their goals.