Amy T. Wilson | Executive Director | Mid State Literacy
Our dream is that no one lacks literacy so everyone can access a life of safety, realized goals, and community participation. We equip people with the skills and conceptual maps necessary to connect and communicate with others. Expanding our Literacy for Life programs with funding from The Hamer Foundation and the Rotary Club of State College/Downtown, additional trained volunteers will be ready to tutor adults in reading, writing, English speaking and listening, math, computer skills, and health literacy. Literacy for Life impacts multiple generations.
Currently, our community is experiencing an increase in grandparents raising grandchildren and Mid-State Literacy Council is receiving requests for basic computer training to access healthcare and school information, reading instruction to be able to understand school communications, and help to answer the question, how do I help my child be a better reader? The expansion incudes instruction for basic computer skills, training for new volunteers to teach basic computer skills, reading and writing, and literacy instruction that incorporates information on school handbooks, rules, and how to help a child become a better reader. Instruction will be provided one-to-one and some will be in small groups. Adults will acquire their computer, reading and writing skills, and resources to help their grandchildren throughout the spring. Families will benefit and school success will propel the young children to opportunities and hope for their future.
November 23rd at Barnes and Noble State College is the launch of our children’s book drive. The Book Fair from 9am-9pm, nine events including the popular drum circle, supports the purchase of much needed children’s books. A 20 year study led by Mariah Evans, sociologist, determined, “Even a little bit goes a long way,” in terms of the number of books in a home. Even 20 books at home influences a child to higher levels of education. More books at home promotes more gains. Children who live in print-rich environments and who are read to during the first years of life are much more likely to learn to read on schedule. Southern Early Childhood Association Carl Sagan emphasized, “One of the greatest gifts adults can give to their offspring and to their society is to read to children.”
Local children without books are excited with shining eyes when the community gives them books to keep- for always, theirs, treasures. In 2020 the literacy council plans to provide 5,500 books to support local children’s education. Please find Book Fair information at mid-stateliteracycouncil.org under events.
We welcome Literacy Ambassadors- new members to the Board of Directors- Paula Donson, Ann Echols, and Nalini Krishnankutty. To volunteer or recommend our education programs, please contact Mid-State Literacy Council at 814-238-1809 or mslc@mid-stateliteracycouncil.org. Services are provided in Clearfield and Centre counties.
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