In March, we join families, educators, schools, libraries, and bookstores in celebrating National Reading Month.
For the Literacy Council, work on reading and literacy is a daily, year-round mission.
Adult literacy affects all of us — approximately 59 million adults in the United States read at or below the lowest levels. Increasing an adult’s literacy skills by one level, from the lowest to the next highest, reduces their likelihood of living in poverty by 50%. (ProLiteracy)
The AACLC’s programs address adult literacy needs in Anne Arundel County, where the low literacy rate among adults is 15%, and the low numeracy rate is 20%. To see what literacy looks like in our communities, Maryland, and the surrounding areas, visit the National Center for Education Statistics’ US Skills Map.
ProLiteracy publishes an informative adult literacy fact sheet that highlights some of the costs of low literacy, including the challenges faced by immigrants.
Last year, our volunteers donated more than 18,000 hours in Anne Arundel County, providing adult education in communities where help is needed most.
Many thanks,
Jane
