1. Kristy Cooper, Adult Literacy Program Coordinator

2.  There are 63 million adults who can’t read well enough to understand a newspaper article at the 8 th grade level or fill out a job application in this country (this is 29% of the American adult population).  Only a small fraction of those adult’s ever seek help  Among those who do, 100,000 are currently on waitlists to get paired with a tutor

3.  50% of children born to illiterate parents grow up to be illiterate adults.  Literacy skills are a stronger predictor of an individual’s health status than age, income, employment status, education level and racial or ethnic group.  Low health literacy costs between $106 billion and $238 billion each year in the U.S. — 7 to 17 percent of all annual personal health care spending.  Low literacy’s effects cost the U.S. $225 billion or more each year in non-productivity in the workforce, crime, and loss of tax revenue due to unemployment.

4.  Voting  Using computers and sending email  Reading maps  Understanding Health information/reading labels on medication  Applying for jobs  Read newspaper/Understanding world events  Helping children with school work and writing notes to teachers  Using a bank, saving money and writing checks  Preparing nutritious meals

5.  We had our first group of tutors go through training in late Spring 2011  So far we have had 21 active tutors and 27 learners enroll in our program  Currently there are 16 active pairs  We now have a waitlist of 3 learners

6.  15 hours over three Saturdays: March 3, 10 & 17: 9:30am – 3:30pm (if you are unable to attend one of these dates there will be makeup options)  Training will be conducted by Alison Austin of Washtenaw Literacy  There will be an hour break for lunch each day and snacks in the morning  $25 for the training book and binder  You must make the commitment by Feb 21st

7.  15 hours of training  2 hours a week for 1 year, plus lesson planning time

8.  Anyone who enjoys reading and helping others  No background in education is required  People who understand how fundamental reading is towards personal fulfillment and success in life