Literacy Project Director:  Judith Roberts

“Literacy is a bridge from misery to hope…. Literacy is, finally, the road to human progress and the means through which every man, woman and child can realize his or her full potential.” Kofi Annan, former Secretary-General of the UN.

Imagine a world where you can not read or do simple calculations required in grocery shopping, or a world where most jobs that you know you can do are closed because you did not graduate high school.  It’s a pretty bleak scenario and the limited adult education programs that exist to address these issues are either too costly, not flexible or inconveniently located.  The Literacy Project has made strides to address these issues and since 1984 has provided opportunities for a better future.

The Literacy Project offers free adult literacy and high school equivalency classes in five locations in western Massachusetts:  Amherst, Northampton, Greenfield, Orange and Ware.   It serves over 400 adult students each year, helping them to build reading, writing, math and computer skills in an environment that encourages and nurtures critical thinking, dialogue and confidence.  Students learn at their own pace in small, comfortable classes taught by professional instructors and supported by dedicated community volunteers.  The project supports students to take the next steps in their life whether it be college, job training or employment.

Adult students, once forgotten and marginalized, not only learn the basics to move on and improve their lives and their families, many have fallen in love with reading.

One adult student, Benny, a homeless veteran, read his first book ever in his Literacy Project class.  When asked what he wanted to do next, he said, “I want to read and read and read!”  Another student, Alana, said, “What this program has given me you cannot begin to imagine.  It has given me back my tomorrows.”

The funds received in this donation drive will be used to buy much-needed books and educational material.

The Literacy Project….building a bridge from misery to hope.

For more information go to www.Literacyproject.org

Thank you for showing your support for the Dedicated Offering program, not only with your contributions to the DO recipients themselves, but also with your contributions to the Society on other Sundays when our budget counts on those receipts. Remember that no one is required to contribute to our Dedicated Offering recipients – this is a voluntary initiative.