If You Can Read This...

From the March issue of AARP on line

"There's a bumper sticker that says, "If you can read this, you are too darn close." Imagine if you couldn't read that sticker - or anything else.

ProLiteracy Worldwide, an adult literacy advocacy group, estimates that 30 million Americans over age 16 don't read well enough to fill out a job application. But federal and state cutbacks make funding an issue for literacy programs. "As organizations try to serve more learners with fewer dollars, the assistance volunteers provide in working with adult learners and performing other tasks can be the difference between surviving or not", says ProLiteracy's Barry Benson."

Federal and state education budget cuts will be deep this funding cycle. Adult and Family literacy programs may not receive any funding. Call/email/write your legislator TODAY to ensure that these critical programs receive funding so that Texas can continue to be competitive with a qualified workforce. Meanwhile, consider becoming a LIFT volunteer teacher! Call Kathy at 214-824-2000 x 232 to find out how.

Lisa Hembry