NLA Info: Literacy Day

[Archie Willard]

Literacy Day, Wednesday September 8, 1999, will be here soon. This day
means a lot to people who have struggled with the written and spoken
language. It is a day to celebrate our victories and successes. Adult
learners have been given a second chance in life and have been able to
find freedom within ourselves. Many lives have become happier and more
productive. Adult learners are fitting into society and are giving
back.  We have formed an adult learner organization called Voice for
Adult Literacy United for Education (VALUE).

It is wonderful to see that there are so many in this country who care
about the people who are struggling to keep up with the pace of life.
The literacy field has moved forward, but we need to be looking ahead to
see where we want to be at this time next year.  It will be hard to keep
up and to measure the progress that has been made.

I would like to thank everyone for all their help and efforts.  To all
the tutors who meet with adult learners one-on-one, the teachers who teach
adult classes for little or no pay, the program directors who work hard to
maintain quality programs: You are the ones who have made successes happen
in the field of literacy.  There are many other individuals in this field
who have made contributions to literacy, working in the various literacy
organizations, doing research, speaking out about literacy. We need you
and all your help. The coordination of the National Institute for Literacy
and the U.S. Department of Education helps keep the literacy field
together. THANK YOU ALL from the members of the VALUE Organization.

We will succeed and we can make a difference not just for adult
learners, but for children who are having difficulties in school.

Archie Willard, Chairman
VALUE