Wisconsin Literacy

Gov. Doyle has proclaimed Sept. 8, 2009 Literacy Awareness Day. In the proclamation, Doyle recognizes the thousands of volunteers who “help their neighbors to improve literacy and English proficiency skills at community-based organizations, technical colleges and libraries in the state of Wisconsin every year.”

Wisconsin’s Literacy Awareness Day coincides with International Literacy Day, which is celebrated in countries all over the world. This year, International Literacy Day will put the spotlight on the empowering role of literacy and its importance for participation, citizenship and social development. Literacy and Empowerment is the theme for the 2009-2010 biennium of the United Nations Literacy Decade.

Tuesday, Sept. 8 is also the kick-off of Wisconsin Literacy’s statewide 1200 Tutors in 12 Weeks campaign to recruit new volunteer tutors in an effort to help meet the rising demand for adult literacy services. Wisconsin Literacy, Inc. is a coalition of 58 literacy programs that work to improve the literacy skills of adults and families in the state. The coalition will provide funds through a grant from Verizon to literacy programs based on the amount of new tutors recruited and trained from Sept. 8 through Dec. 1.

Click here for a listing of Literacy Awareness Month events throughout Wisconsin. If you would like to contact your local literacy program directly to volunteer as a tutor or become involved in an International Literacy Day event, you can find a listing of Wisconsin Literacy member organizations at www.wisconsinliteracy.org/find_us.php.