Did you know that 28% of the metro area's population (that's almost 900,000 adults) are living with low literacy skills? Or that children who aren't read to and don't develop basic literacy practices when they enter school are 3 to 4 times more likely to drop out? Or that businesses nation-wide estimate spending an average of $600 million per year on remedial reading, writing and math skills for their employees? Even the US military spends on average $70 million annually for basic skills remediation for new recruits. Well now you have a chance to help combat the problem of low literacy in the city of Atlanta.
The Literacy Alliance of Metro Atlanta is partnering with A Capella Books to host ongoing used book sales benefiting LAMA! Thanks to Lama's founding member, Laura Hauser, proceeds from the Used Book Sales will support LAMA and find seed grants for its members. The next book sale is on Saturday, December 14 from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. These special book sales will occur on each 2nd Saturday and 4th Sunday of the month, just in time for holiday gift-giving season!
The Literary Alliance of Metropolitan Atlanta (LAMA) has a mission to achieve 100% literacy among metro Atlanta's adults and families by providing visibility for the issue of low literacy; providing visibility for its member organizations in their work to combat low literacy; developing and implementing a viable model for expansion of literacy programming; and to offer a single marketing-and-funding mechanism for the member organizations so that they are free to deliver our mission. The coalition hopes to increase public awareness about low-literacy as it is one of the root causes of poverty, un- and under-employment, homelessness, and poor health outcomes. We also provide a gateway to our member organizations as they focus to expand literacy programming in the Metropolitan Atlanta Area.
This practical and innovative coalition is comprised of nonprofits (literacy, refugee/ immigrant services, and human service providers;) governmental agencies, including county library systems, the Technical College System of Georgia, school systems that offer adult education services, higher education colleges and universities; umbrella organizations like the United Way and the Certified Literate Communities Program; and business and community leaders. Together, they strive to have a lasting impact on the Metro Atlanta community. Help support their cause and buy some books this Saturday!
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