2. “Rockland Literacy Initiative” A Coalition of Business, Education and Community Leaders Providing Basic Reading Skills for Rockland Adults Who Want Them

3. The Economics of Literacy

4. An Adult Without a High School Diploma Earns 42% Less Than an Adult With a High School Diploma.

5. High School Dropouts Have an Unemployment Rate 4 Times Greater Than That of High School Graduates.

6. 50% of Fortune 500 Companies Underwrite Remedial Employee Training Skills at an Annual Cost of $300 Million a Year.

7. 50% of the Chronically Unemployed Are Not Functionally Literate.

8. 33% of All Welfare Recipients Are Not Considered to Be Functionally Literate.

9. It Is Estimated That Limited Literacy Skills Cost American Taxpayers $20 Billion in Lost Wages, Profits, and Productivity Annually.

10. Imagine being unable to… Read a bedtime story to a child Scan a newspaper Read a street sign Fill out an employment application Read a medicine bottle

11. One in five of your neighbors. May not be able to…. Read a menu Write a check Vote Get a driver’s license

12. Make Tomorrow Better Enrich Someone’s life… Tell them about a free learn how to read program available now at any participating Rockland Library!

13. “Teach Someone How to Fish and They Will Never Go Hungry” “Teach Someone How to Read and They Will Live a Richer Life!”

14. The “Literacy Volunteers of Rockland County” are looking for one-on-one tutors to help adults learn basic reading skills. Enroll in a class at any participating library. Volunteer online at www.literacyrockland.org

15. “The Ability to Read Is a Gift: Share It, Become a Volunteer Tutor”

16. Nearly 40,000 Residents Over Age 21 in Rockland County Lack the Literacy Skills to Understand Prescription Labels, Election Ballots or Job Application Forms.

17. Most of these men and woman are unable to find employment, acquire a driver's license, or scan a newspaper.

18. YOU CAN DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT! The “Literacy Volunteers of Rockland County” are looking for one-on-one tutors to help adults learn basic reading skills. Enroll in a class at any participating library. Volunteer online at www.literacyrockland.org

19. Literacy Volunteers of Rockland County, Inc Is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to providing student- centered English literacy services to adults in Rockland County, acting as a community resource for the advancement of literacy.

20. Contact Literary Volunteers of Rockland County, Inc. www.literacyrockland.org