[NLA] FW: Support for Literacy(moderate length)

[Hickson, Holly]

> I would like to echo Sally Gabb's comments  (8-1-02) regarding seeing
> YouthBuild programs as a wonderful "house" for young adult literacy
> efforts, and worthy of dramatically greater funding.   Because the program
> is attractive to yough and works on  leadership and lifeskills as well as
> further education and vocational training, the program turns lives, even
> entire families around.  There is much anecdotal and some normed evidence
> of a renewed hope and belief that education and literacy are valued and
> are a means to a viable future on the part of particiipants and those who
> witness the participants' success.  While programs vary widely based upon
> the community's needs and capacity for programming,  all programs treat
> adult basic education, leadership development, and vocational training as
> equally important components.  Programs are measured on the objectives of
> GED attainment and/or academic gain, job/higher education placement; and
> completed construction projects which are a part of the community's
> economic development goals.  Interestingly in light of the conversations I
> have read on this list, literacy is delivered across the spectrum of
> Youthbuild programs by community colleges, literacy councils, public
> school systems, volunteers, certified instructors hired specifically for a
> Youthbuild program; indeed the gamut of this list's constituency.
> 
> The new initiatives at YouthBuild,USA, an organization which functions
> part as technical assistance, part as guild, are pointed toward increasing
> the training and professional identity of its teachers, trainers, and
> counselors.  With entering reading levels varying from grade 2-11+, not
> all students attain their certificates before official completion of their
> stipended hours.  However, there is in nearly all programs a strong
> follow-up element and a push to take students on to true literacy.  Much
> more could be done with more funds in the areas of professional
> development, support for follow-up, research, and general programming for
> distressed or high-density (of illiteracy and other biopsychosocial needs)
> areas, as well as support for advocacy activities which connect sites and
> the movement to the issue of literacy and economic development in general.
> 
> Thanks for including us in your deliberations.
> 
> Holly Hickson, Ph.D.
> YouthBuild Crittenden County
> at MidSouth Community College
> West Memphis, Arkansas
> (870)733-6757 
> 

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