A Case Statement

Introduction

Pro-Literacy Detroit is an Accredited Affiliate of Pro-Literacy of America; it is the largest literacy organization in the State of Michigan. Pro-Literacy Detroit provides free literacy services to persons living in Detroit, Hamtramck, and Highland Park. Since organizing in 1984 Pro-Literacy Detroit has trained over 5,000 volunteer tutors, and assisted over 11,000 learners. Funding to support Pro-Literacy Detroit comes from public and private foundations, local corporations, the Federal Government through the City of Detroit and the State of Michigan, and contributions from supporters.

Pro-Literacy Detroit: Mission Statement

Every resident of Detroit, Highland Park, and Hamtramck should have the opportunity to be an informed citizen, a supportive and involved parent, a viable employee, and a lifelong learner.

Pro-Literacy Detroit makes this possible through the recruitment, training, and ongoing support of community volunteers who provide basic literacy skills through innovative, goal-driven programs.

Functional Illiteracy Defined

Functional illiteracy refers to the inability of an individual to use reading, speaking, writing, and computational skills in everyday life situations. The functional illiterate person cannot process written material. Quite often, this person is unable to understand basic mathematics.

The impact of functional illiteracy is tremendous. The health, safety, and welfare of entire families are compromised. Illiteracy tends to be intergenerational, resulting in poor academic performance, and higher school dropout rates among school-age children in homes where caregivers cannot read. The inability to read dosage information on over-the-counter and prescription drugs is life threatening.

A History of Pro-Literacy Detroit

The late Alma Matney-Hill, and a few volunteers organized Pro-Literacy Detroit, formerly Literacy Volunteers of America-Detroit (LVA-Detroit) in November 1983 at the Detroit Unity Temple. They organized in response to a challenge from Wally “Famous” Amos, LVA-National Spokesperson. During the first year, this fledging new affiliate operated from the kitchen of Vivian Johnson, who served as Vice President. In January 1986, Detroit’s Channel 56, provided LVA-Detroit with office space, and the use of it’s facilities, equipment and support services.

From 1984 through 1988, LVA-Detroit existed as part of the Detroiters for Adult Reading Excellence Coalition (DARE). Financial support was provided in return for providing basic literacy training to volunteers. In the spring of 1988, LVA-Detroit’s Steering Committee decided to establish an independent organization. A Board of Directors was recruited, and LVA-Detroit was incorporated as a non-profit corporation

On March 1, 2004 Literacy Volunteers of America-Detroit became Pro-Literacy Detroit. Our new motto is READ*EMPOWER*SUCCEED.

The Scope of Functional Illiteracy in Detroit, Highland Park, and Hamtramck, Michigan Adult literacy estimates, complied by the National Institute for Literacy in 1998, for Detroit , Highland Park , and Hamtramck , defined illiteracy rates, among adults as follows: Detroit 47%, Highland Park , 56%, Hamtramck 38%. The social and economic impact of illiteracy in these cities is staggering.