Literacy services important

To the Editor: As the new school year begins, our focus turns to education. While young students return to school, millions of American adults seek personal empowerment through literacy. We celebrate the determination of these adults to improve their reading, writing, speaking, math, and computer skills, in spite of their often busy and complicated lives. Sept. 8 is International Literacy Day - established in 1965 by The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) to call attention to the world-wide issues of illiteracy. In New York, an estimated 2.7 million adults lack basic literacy, math and employment skills. Low-level reading and math skills are linked to poverty, incarceration and dropout rates. These same individuals lack basic health, financial and consumer literacy skills, according to Literacy New York, Inc., which serves approximately 6,500 adults each year through a network of 35 affiliates and their volunteers. Literacy Volunteers of Clinton County and Literacy Volunteers of Essex/Franklin Counties jointly serve over 250 adult learners annually with the help of 225 volunteers. In addition, approximately 1,600 pre-school children in Clinton, Essex, Franklin, and Hamilton counties receive a free book every month through our "Imagination Library". We thank our valued volunteers and invite others to join our mission for a literate community. Tutor Training Orientation will be held in Plattsburgh September 10th and October 1st; Port Henry September 25th; Malone October 2nd; and Lake Placid October 14th. There is no cost to the learner. We invite all to spread the word to those in need of literacy services … and about our "Imagination Library". Literacy Leads. It leads to employment. It leads to independence. It leads to opportunity. Maria Burke, Executive Director, Literacy Volunteers of Essex/Franklin Counties Norma Menard, Executive Director, Literacy Volunteers of Clinton County

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Literacy services important

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