[AAACE-NLA] Coalitions

[Kathy Chernus]

Debbie, the Community Partnerships for Adult Learning (C-PAL) initiative identified several adult education partnerships in the South that have overcome turf issues in an effort to meet the needs of adult learners in their communities. Some of these include:  the Midlands Literacy Initiative in Richland, Fairfield, Lexington, and Newberry Counties in SC; the Houston County Certified Literate Community Program in GA; the Workforce Alliance for Growth in the Economy (WAGE) partnership in El Dorado, AR; and the Palm Beach County Literacy Coalition in FL.  Profiles of these partnerships, along with eight others from around the country and Commitment  Comes in All Shapes and Sizes -- a report that summarizes the findings from all twelve -- are available on the C-PAL website at http://www.c-pal.net/profiles/index.html. The reports include descriptions of the partners, how and why the collaborations work, who they serve, the programs and services they offer, their funding sources, their challenges, and other pertinent information.  The profiles also include the names, phone numbers, and email addresses of the partnership coordinators in case you would like to get in touch with them for more information.  

Hope this is helpful.

Kathy

Kathy Chernus
Senior Associate
MPR Associates, Inc.
2401 Pennsylvania Ave. NW
Suite 410
Washington, DC 20037
202/478-1027

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Date: 11/17/2004 11:11 AM
From: Debbie Yoho <dwyoho at earthlink.net>

Robert, many thanks.  Lately I have been researching literacy coalitions
with a burning question:  Why do other parts of the country seem to work
together while the South, or SC at least, struggles so hard with turfism?
I know the problem exists everywhere, especially at the local levels, but
clearly there are many examples where whole states and even regions have
managed to find the resources, and the will, to join forces for advocacy.
I'd like to talk with someone (perhaps you, Robert, or Lou?) about the
history of the South Central Coalition, and particularly  potential sources
of funding for coalitions.  Perhaps you could send me your phone number
off-list?  To other listers connected with coalitions, I'd like to hear a
little on this list about your coalitions, too.  So far in my research, it
seems the crucial factor is often an apparently sudden, and often
unexpected initial funding source to set up an organization or fund a
conference when something happens to create a windfall, given that the
leadership has already been developed and is poised to take advantage of
resources when they become available.        

For the Cause!  Debbie

Deborah W. Yoho
Co-moderator, NIFL-Health Listserv
Executive Director, Greater Columbia Literacy Council
Past President, SC Adult Literacy Educators
2728 Devine Street,  Columbia, SC  29205
803-765-2555   Fax  803-799-8417   dwyoho at earthlink.net