Meet our Mid-Valley: Vivian Ang shares her passion for literacy
Mid-Valley Literacy Center Director Vivian Ang helps Salem Statesman Journal
sdgtalks
Passionate About the Mid-Valley Community: Vivian Ang
This is part of a weekly series introducing readers to individuals who are passionate about our Mid-Valley community.
Introduction
Vivian Ang, the director of Salem’s Mid-Valley Literacy Center, is dedicated to teaching adults the literacy skills needed to improve their quality of life and economic stability. Her own struggles with reading in her early years of schooling motivated her to help others who face similar challenges.
Founding Salem’s Mid-Valley Literacy Center
After graduating from Oregon State University with a degree in animal science, Ang shifted her focus to improving adult literacy in the region and across the state. She received additional education in Bilingual Education and Cross-Cultural Communications to better serve immigrant communities. When the Literacy Volunteer Program at Chemeketa Community College Santiam Center closed, Ang felt compelled to continue the important work and founded the Mid-Valley Literacy Center in 2009.
Teaching literacy skills to thousands of adult students
The Mid-Valley Literacy Center has helped thousands of adults from diverse backgrounds, including individuals from 60 countries and at least 30 languages. While the majority of students are Latino, the center is open to anyone who is an adult. The center offers various programs, such as English classes at all levels, Spanish and English GED, computer basics, and courses specifically designed for native Spanish speakers to learn how to read and write in Spanish.
Expanding workplace literacy program
In addition to their regular programs, the Mid-Valley Literacy Center aims to expand their workplace literacy program. This program focuses on improving safety on worksites by providing customized English lessons that incorporate vocabulary specific to each business. The center also offers Spanish lessons for employers who wish to communicate better with their employees or clients. This program not only enhances safety but also improves productivity by eliminating language barriers that may affect workers’ performance.
Contributing to the Sustainable Development Goals
The work of the Mid-Valley Literacy Center aligns with several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) set by the United Nations. By promoting literacy and education, the center contributes to SDG 4: Quality Education. Additionally, by empowering adults through literacy skills, the center supports SDG 1: No Poverty and SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth. Furthermore, the center’s focus on inclusivity and serving diverse communities reflects SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities.
Get involved
If you are interested in supporting the Mid-Valley Literacy Center, you can become a tutor or make a donation. For more information, you can email info@midvalleyliteracycenter.org, visit midvalleyliteracy.org, or call (503) 463-1488.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 4: Quality Education | 4.6 – By 2030, ensure that all youth and a substantial proportion of adults, both men and women, achieve literacy and numeracy. | No specific indicators mentioned in the article. |
| SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth | 8.3 – Promote development-oriented policies that support productive activities, decent job creation, entrepreneurship, creativity, and innovation. | No specific indicators mentioned in the article. |
| SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities | 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. | No specific indicators mentioned in the article. |
| SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals | 17.17 – Encourage and promote effective public, public-private, and civil society partnerships, building on the experience and resourcing strategies of partnerships. | No specific indicators mentioned in the article. |
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
SDG 4: Quality Education
The article highlights the work of the Mid-Valley Literacy Center in teaching adults the literacy skills needed to increase their quality of life and economic stability. This aligns with SDG 4, which aims to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education for all.
SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
The article mentions that improving adult literacy benefits not only the individual but the entire community. By providing adults with the literacy skills needed for economic stability, the Mid-Valley Literacy Center contributes to SDG 8, which focuses on promoting sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth.
SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
The Mid-Valley Literacy Center aims to empower and promote the social and economic inclusion of all adults, irrespective of their background. This aligns with SDG 10, which seeks to reduce inequalities within and among countries.
SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
The article mentions that the Mid-Valley Literacy Center collaborates with businesses to provide workplace literacy programs. This demonstrates a partnership between the center and the private sector, contributing to SDG 17, which emphasizes the importance of partnerships in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
Target 4.6: By 2030, ensure that all youth and a substantial proportion of adults, both men and women, achieve literacy and numeracy.
The work of the Mid-Valley Literacy Center in teaching adults literacy skills aligns with this target under SDG 4.
Target 8.3: Promote development-oriented policies that support productive activities, decent job creation, entrepreneurship, creativity, and innovation.
The article mentions that improving adult literacy can lead to economic stability and improved job prospects. This aligns with Target 8.3 under SDG 8.
Target 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.
The Mid-Valley Literacy Center aims to empower adults from diverse backgrounds by providing them with the literacy skills needed for social and economic inclusion. This aligns with Target 10.2 under SDG 10.
Target 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private, and civil society partnerships, building on the experience and resourcing strategies of partnerships.
The article mentions that the Mid-Valley Literacy Center collaborates with businesses to provide workplace literacy programs. This demonstrates a partnership between the center and the private sector, contributing to Target 17.17 under SDG 17.
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
No specific indicators are mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure 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: statesmanjournal.com
Join us, as fellow seekers of change, on a transformative journey at https://sdgtalks.ai/welcome, where you can become a member and actively contribute to shaping a brighter future.
