Integrating adult literacy education into everyday life with help from MI Impact Grant

Adult Literacy in Kent County: A Report on the Work of the Literacy Center of West Michigan

Introduction

Adult literacy is a nationwide issue, with 54% of adults between the ages of 17 and 74 reading below a sixth-grade level. The areas that experience the lowest literacy levels are often those that experience poor health and poverty as well.

Here in Kent County, the Literacy Center of West Michigan is working to eliminate barriers to achieving literacy. Recently, the center was awarded a MI Impact Grant of $1.12 million dollars from the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO) to further their work.

Interview with Wendy Falb, Executive Director of the Literacy Center

Rapid Growth Media: Tell me about the Literacy Center and the work you do.

Wendy Falb: We focus on adult literacy, and we have a robust citizenship and workforce development program. Our philosophy is to meet adults where they’re at in their lives. Many are busy caring for children or trying to make money, and therefore find it very difficult to prioritize their own education. Knowing this we really tried to design our programming to accommodate them. We offer programs at their jobs and make the content about their work, or we do it at their child’s school and make the content about supporting their child at school. We offer programming where adults receive health care and tailor the content to how to communicate with a doctor.

The Importance of the Work in Kent County

Rapid Growth Media: Why is this work important in Kent County?

Wendy Falb: Last year we instructed over 1,100 adults and this coming year we believe we’ll instruct somewhere between 1,300 and 1,500. This is important because there’s such a significant unmet need in our community. In Kent County alone, 85,000 people read below fourth grade. We serve both native speakers of English, to improve reading and writing skills, and non-native speakers through ESL. There’s a whole range within ESL. We have people who have PhDs and speak three other languages, and we have people who have never had a formal education.

The Impact Grant and Integrated Education and Training

Rapid Growth Media: What does this Impact Grant mean for the work you do?

Wendy Falb: This grant is so important for us. There’s an approach called integrated education and training that we’ve been focusing on and leading in the state with that work. We partner with organizations or institutions that focus on work development like Grand Rapids Community College or the Goodwill. They then facilitate the workforce development training whether it’s certified nurse assistant or machine CNC or medical coding, and we come alongside and teach the English needed to do that coursework. This grant is allowing us to expand and start working with current employees instead of only incumbent workers. We’ve been able to serve people that are already working full time in entry level positions at Cornwell Health. Instead of having to do this outside of their work time they’re able to do this during their work time and get paid getting full time salary and benefits while half of that time is dedicated to training. All of this is happening without having to leave their job or get additional childcare, so it’s really removing every barrier.

The Importance of Grants

Rapid Growth Media: Why are grants like this important?

Wendy Falb: The vast majority of the funds of this grant is going towards paying these employees for their time in class and removing the need to have to do this outside work time. This grant is really important because this is a potential proof of concept. If we are successful in upscaling these employees at Corewell to fill these mid-level healthcare positions it may be the first step in demonstrating to other employers that this level of investment is worth it. This level of investment is going to result in a strong talent pipeline and strong retention of employees. This grant is important because it’s doing things differently by putting a lot of money into a concept that isn’t proven yet, but we’re confident that it will be.

About the Literacy Center

Rapid Growth Media: What else do you want people to know about the Literacy Center?

Wendy Falb: One of our ongoing programs is still our original program where we have volunteer tutors, we call literacy coaches, paired up with a person in need. We have about 130 tutor learner pairs right now, but we also have a waiting list of about 60 or 70 people. If anybody reading this is inspired, we would love to have them come by and we will give them all the support they need to do that coaching. It’s truly a life changing experience.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 4: Quality Education
• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• SDG 4.6: By 2030, ensure that all youth and a substantial proportion of adults, both men and women, achieve literacy and numeracy.
• SDG 8.6: By 2020, substantially reduce the proportion of youth not in employment, education, or training.
• SDG 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic, and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion, or economic or other status.
• SDG 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private, and civil society partnerships, building on the experience and resourcing strategies of partnerships.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Indicator for SDG 4.6: Percentage of adults (both men and women) with functional literacy skills.
• Indicator for SDG 8.6: Proportion of youth (aged 15-24 years) not in education, employment, or training.
• Indicator for SDG 10.2: Proportion of population below the international poverty line, by sex, age, employment status, and disability status.
• Indicator for SDG 17.17: Number of countries that have national statistical legislation that complies with the Fundamental Principles of Official Statistics.

Table: SDGs, Targets and Indicators

Note: The indicators listed in the table are examples and may not be the only indicators relevant to measuring progress towards the identified targets.

Behold! This splendid article springs forth from the wellspring of knowledge, shaped by a wondrous proprietary AI technology that delved into a vast ocean of data, illuminating the path towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Remember that all rights are reserved by SDG Investors LLC, empowering us to champion progress together.

Source: rapidgrowthmedia.com

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