Betty Stauffer: Thank you, Tucson, for creating opportunities through literacy

Between July 1, 2017, and June 30, 2018, over 55,000 children and adults in the greater Tucson area improved their literacy skills. This was accomplished due to the generosity of 1,130 volunteers and donations from 1,612 individuals, 60 businesses, 44 foundations and 39 community organizations. From all of those students — thank you!

Sixty pediatric and family practice clinics gave a free book (many of which the doctors paid for themselves) at well-baby checkups through age 5 and talked with parents about the importance of reading to their children. Parents have reported they now read more to their children.

Sixteen hundred reluctant readers in kindergarten through fifth grade reluctant readers worked one-on-one in 37 Title I elementary schools with a well-trained volunteer coach. Every week each child received a book to take home and had fun while their reading skills improved by an average rate of 30 percent faster than if they had not had a coach.

The Magic Box, a bejeweled talking steamer trunk, motivated 6,771 elementary students to flex their creative muscles by feeding it their original written stories. They watched as their stories came to life on stage through the magic of Literacy Connects’ troupe of contracted actors and musicians. Students were then asking their teachers for more time to write!

Eighteen hundred adults worked with volunteer tutors to improve their reading, writing, math and/or spoken English skills, with 90 percent of these adults reaching at least one of their life skills goals. One hundred thirty five of these adults got a job, or a better job, that increased their family income, on average, by $16,000.

Skills, attitudes and behaviors are where changes happen for the children and adults in Literacy Connects programs. Students convey these life changes by writing, I love to read because: “books make me feel better; it makes my mind run wild; I have fun and I have my own world; it makes me smart; it fills my head with imagination; it takes me places; it calms me down; I learn new stuff; I get to imagine things”.

Adults wrote, “I can now help my children with their homework!” “I was able to interview for a job in English for the first time and I got the job!” “I don’t feel ashamed about my poor reading anymore, because my reading is getting better every week.” “I got my GED! Now I am headed to Pima College!”

One parent recently shared, “My daughter struggled with reading in first and second grade. I am so very grateful for Literacy Connects and the reading coach they provided. She just started fourth grade and she now loves to read and is doing well in school.”

Literacy is the foundation of our life successes. Literacy Connects provides the tools people need to reach their goals and be successful. You — our community — give Literacy Connects the resources in both people and dollars to do this work. Thank you to all who gave of their time, talents and dollars last year.

Please join us in our effort to improve literacy in Tucson. Learn more by visiting www.literacyconnects.org.