It can be hard to imagine that illiteracy is a significant problem in Oxford and Lafayette County. Most people who live in this community — known for its university, strong public schools and relative wealth — are surprised to learn that estimates show 20-25% of Lafayette County adults can’t read well enough to fill out a job application.

 

Why should you care? Because literacy is essential to the social, economic and cultural quality of life of everyone who lives in Lafayette County. Every study shows that literacy breaks the cycle of poverty, strengthens families and relationships, promotes self-esteem, and broadens perspectives of the world. Every study shows that communities with lower literacy rates struggle with higher levels of poverty, crime, teenage pregnancy, and more. They also struggle to invest in their schools and attract good jobs and people to fill them. So every time we help one adult learn to read or help a child not fall further behind – we are helping make the Lafayette County a community that people WANT to live in – good jobs, good schools, and a good quality of life.

 

Our mission is to improve the quality of life in Oxford and Lafayette County through literacy and reading. The Council’s four priorities are to provide professionally developed and administered literacy education programs, promote a love of reading to children and families, serve as a literacy resource and information clearinghouse for the community and become an excellent organization with which to work and volunteer.

 

We are proud of the programs we’ve built in recent years, and the partnerships and volunteers that have made these possible. I hope you’ll join us. Every contribution supports our programs in basic literacy and promoting a love of reading.

Be sure to visit us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter (@LCLitCouncil) to learn more about our programs and how you can help! Thank you for your continued support of literacy in the

LOU community.

 

Sincerely,

Sarah McLellan

Executive Director