literacy is a very good cause...even if you don't go to the ball

“Literacy is a bridge…to hope. It is a tool for daily life…It is a bulwark against poverty and a building block of development…Literacy is…the means through which every man, woman and child can realize his or her full potential.” – Kofi Annon

Imagine a world without words or numbers, or a world filled with words and numbers you do not understand. Then imagine the courage and determination it would take to journey out of that world into a new one, a world in which you can read. Every year some 530 adults in Barrow County accept that challenge and become students of the local Adult Literacy Program. And, every year many of them succeed by learning to read or advancing their basic skills, preparing for their GED exams, achieving their GED diploma, or going on to college or technical school.  

Local learners have not always had this opportunity.  Twenty two years ago, 42 percent of adults in Barrow County over the age of 25 were illiterate. A group of educators and concerned citizens in the Winder Woman’s Club decided to do something about that, and do, they did.

What started out as a few people with a burning need to help others learn grew into volunteers toting books in their car trunks to meet with eager students at local libraries or during a break at work. A GED class made up of three students came next and the local Adult Literacy Program grew from there.  

Currently, the adult illiteracy rate in Barrow County is below 20 percent. The Adult Literacy Program, in partnership with Lanier Technical College, offers about 15 classes in Winder, Auburn and Statham. These meet at various times of the day and include classes for beginning readers, adult basic education, English as a Second Language (ESOL) and GED exam preparation. The Adult Literacy Program also works to encourage literacy at all ages, supports drop-out prevention programs and family and community literacy efforts.

Since the program began, over 1.5 million dollars in matching grants have been received to assist teachers and students. And, a community partnership which has included the cities of Winder, Auburn, Statham, and Bethlehem; the Barrow County Schools, the Barrow County government, the local industrial development authority, Lanier and Gwinnett Technical Colleges, and the Jackson EMC Round-up Foundation have provided generous support.

I taught a local GED class for a time and never have I been around a harder working group of people. Some start with reading levels in the lower elementary grades and math skills to match; others begin from a relatively advanced level, needing only to brush up on a few basics in order to pass the GED exams. All of my students shared a commitment to learning and a level of dedication that never ceased to amaze me.   

Theirs was a challenging, sometimes difficult journey. Most of them had jobs; many had children. Money was always tight and time was at a premium. Yet, they found the will and the way to show up for three hours, two nights a week to face the task of learning things that often lacked relevance in their day to day lives.

Their goals kept them going – a better job, a more learning-oriented environment for their children, admission to college or technical school, or simply bettering themselves. And, so they continued on, one lesson, one step, one test at a time.

As for the faculty, staff and volunteers of the Adult Literacy Program – there is no more dedicated, hard- working, hope-filled group.  

A critical source of funding for the program is the annual literacy ball – A Novel Affair. The 22^nd  Annual Literacy Ball will be held at the Winder Community Center on Saturday, Jan. 24 beginning at 6:30 p.m.  Cornbread & Caviar will serve hors d’oeuvres and dinner at 7 p.m. Live music by Band of Gold, dancing and the awarding of raffle prizes will go on until 11 p.m. Top Dawg Tavern will host a cash bar. Black tie is optional.

Proceeds from the event are used to support adult and English literacy instruction, GED exam scholarships, college scholarships for GED graduates, matching funds to secure grant funding and community literacy activities. I can tell you from experience, the Adult Literacy Program runs a tight ship, so these funds will be used frugally and wisely.

 

Tickets are $75 per person ($57 is tax deductible) and event sponsorships are available. For tickets or more information, contact event chairperson Lynn Hammond, 770-307-8450 or Adult Literacy executive director Ron Saunders, 770-868-4089, rsaunders@laniertech.edu. Tickets are also on sale at the Adult Literacy Center, 89 E. Athens St. in Winder.    

If gala events are not your cup of tea, please consider making a donation to help support this important effort. After all, an investment in adult literacy is an investment in our local economy. Tax deductible contributions can be made to Adult Literacy Barrow, 89 E. Athens St., Winder, GA 30680 or delivered to Saunders at Suite 101, 89 E. Athens St.

To learn more about Adult Literacy Barrow, go to www.adultliteracybarrow.org and the organization’s Facebook page.