COVID-19 and Our Students

We are keeping busy connecting with all of our students making sure we know what their needs are, keeping them supported so they can continue their classes at SRJC.

We’re revamping our grant requests to support our plain language COVID-19 resource page at http://www.literacyworkscenter.org/covid-19. This page is an extension of our Disaster Relief Resource page we did for the fires. We’re collecting plain language material and also developing our own. The target population is our students and the low literacy and low-income North Bay community at large.

Our low-income students are among the most vulnerable in our community when it comes to suffering during a disaster. Because of the COVID-19 epidemic, many of our students are suffering a loss of income and housing. Also, SRJC has been closed until the first of April when online classes began.

Our staff is offering additional support services to ensure our students stay in school and complete their course of study. We are proud that most have persisted and remained.

Thank you for supporting our students with your donation in this difficult time. You are making a difference in their lives with your gift.

Donation Details

FAQ

What will my donation support?
Literacyworks will use your donation to support the Literacyworks Center, literacy programs and to develop projects to assist families and adults in developing their literacy skills. Across the country, libraries provide services to low-literacy adults and their families using trained volunteer tutors. 

Why is being literate and reading important?
Literacy is the ability to read, write, compute, and use technology at a level that enables  an individual to reach his or her full potential as a parent, employee, and community member.

In the United States, an estimated 30 million people over the age of 16 read no better than the average elementary school child. The ability to read and write is the basis for all other education; literacy is necessary for an individual to understand information that is out of context, whether written or verbal. Literacy is essential if we are to eradicate poverty at home and abroad, improve infant mortality rates, address gender   inequality, and create sustainable development. Without literacy skills, today’s adults will struggle to take part in the world around them and fail to reach their full potential as parents, community members, and employees.

Why should I care?
Because we all benefit from an educated society.

On an economic level, the return on investment is huge. A literate workforce attracts more business resulting in higher salaries, enhanced job security, greater productivity, increased consumer spending and tax revenues, reduced correctional costs, and a decreased drain on social services. Literacy is the most basic employable skill, the essential element of economic development and living-wage jobs.

On a personal level, parents are better able to support their children’s education and nurture healthier citizens. When adults gain the power to read and write it is nothing short of transformational – resulting in healthier and, yes, happier communities.

Families and adult learners needing basic education are an enormous potential asset. They want to improve their lives, their communities, and their children’s future. 90% of fortune 1000 companies stated that “Low literacy levels are limiting their productivity and profitability.” Literacy is essential for job opportunities, participation in civic and community engagement and meaningful involvement in children’s education. Literacy strengthens our economy, neighborhoods and families.

If you don't use PayPal, donate to Literacyworks here:

DONATE IN OTHER WAYS

Prefer to Send a Check?

Please make a check payable to:  Literacyworks
Mail to: Literacyworks 625 2nd St. Suite 107, Petaluma, CA, 94952