Supporting Project Read KY
Improving lives through literacy. That, in a nutshell, is Project Read's mission. Project Read - Madison County Literacy Council is a non-profit, volunteer-supported adult-literacy program whose mission is to improve the lives of adults who need educational instruction in basic reading and math, GED studies, and English language learning.
Established in 1985, Project Read has been offering two primary programs for years: (1) teaching adults with no or low reading levels to improve their reading ability, and (2) helping non-native English speakers to improve their English-speaking and reading skills. Adult learners who are at least 18 years of age and not enrolled in school are eligible for the free instruction provided by Project Read. Tutoring is generally conducted one to one and individualized to meet the needs of the student, and tutoring sessions are flexible and scheduled for the convenience of both the student and tutor. All materials, books, and instruction are free.
Sounds great, right? I thought so when I joined the board back in 2014. My goal? Bring more eyes and funds to a great cause, the former through a new website (which is currently undergoing renovation again) and social media (which you can like here!), the latter through fundraising efforts. Because Project Read is a non-profit organization funded entirely by grants and donations, we rely entirely on the generosity of others to carry forward our mission.
But why does it matter? Well, because literacy does. Imagine not being able to read job applications. Grocery labels. Medication labels. Menus. Newspapers. Bills. Magazines. Street signs. Bus/airline/train schedules. It's a scary world to live. And just as important, it's not as fulfilling a world. Reading helped shape me into the man I am today. It opened up new universes and revealed fresh ideas to me at an overwhelming rate, to the point I could never keep up. I wouldn't want anyone deprived of that experience, and yet data has shown up to 14 percent of working-age Kentuckians have virtually no literacy skills. This has to change, and as a state, it's in our power to change. And organizations like Project Read KY provide a means to do so. Won't you lend a hand to help expand a mind?
Project Read - Madison County Literacy Council
2150 Lexington Road
Suite H
Richmond, KY 40475
859-623-4905
Website: http://www.projectreadky.org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/projectreadky/
For more information on how you can help, contact bthomas@projectreadky.org