Marketing Your Message Literacy Program Sustainability
Portage County Literacy Council...changing lives one word at a time
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2. ¿Hablainglésusted? Koj has lug Aas-kivpuas tau? Govoriteliengleski? Parlez-vousanglais? Czymówiciepoangielsku? ÔngcóbiếtnóitiếngAnhkhông? SprechenSieEnglisch? Anklerengehkhossis? An féidirleatBéarla a labhairt? “Do you speak English?” in the native languages of people living in Portage County, WI
4. About 75% of our adult learners did not speak English as their first language and have come to Portage County from all over the world. English classes and tutors help them reach their goals.
7. Understanding bills, following recipes, reading the dosage chart for over the counter medicines, or even making correct change can be impossible if you struggle with math. Our tutors help learners with these and other everyday issues.
10. Some of our students had never held a pencil before coming to English class. At the age of 78 this woman learned to write. At age 80 she became a U.S. Citizen.
11. It may be hard to read when you have a learning disability like dyslexia. a ha uha Itm yd e rdtaqw he o ve ore ny e ebys al argd l lik le a. ninsadiityl xl (what the above sentence may look like to a person with dyslexia)
13. Some of the most famous and intelligent people in the world struggled with reading. Our learners are treated with the respect they deserve and given the tools to succeed in life.
16. From helping people to apply for jobs to offering classes at worksites, we are a JOB DEVELOPMENT agency. We give people the skills they need to get jobs or higher paying jobs.
19. 20% of adults read at or below a 5th grade level, but most health care materials are written above a 10th grade level. Since 2008 we have been incorporating health literacy into our programs.
21. “While English class may conjure up the memory of diagramming sentences or spelling bees for some of us, for our adult learners this spring it included strapping their teacher to a backboard and learning what happens when you call 911 as they simulated a car crash with volunteer EMT’s at the library …” - an excerpt from our June 2009 newsletter
23. Learners’ information is private. All tutors and teachers are trained and collect information only for evaluation purposes to measure progress and report to our funders. Only with permission can an identity or specific information be shared with others.
25. Our message to learners: “Our services are FREE because others in our community have paid for them for you. We believe in you! We know that if you continue to work hard you will learn and you will be able to give back. You will get a job or a better job, pay taxes, buy more from local merchants, and maybe donate to a charitable cause someday too. You will be healthier, your children will do better in school and you will be a valued member of our community. In the end, we all win!”
29. If you would like to make a difference in someone’s life as a volunteer tutor or if you know someone who could benefit from our services, please contact us today.