National Adult Education and Family Literacy Week (September 19 – 25, 2021) raises awareness about the need for and the value of these skills. 

Imagine not being able to read directions on your bottle of life saving heart medicine. Trying to fill out a job application when you can’t read and write much more than your name and address. Struggling to help your child with basic schoolwork when your literacy and numeracy is so low 4^th grade math is too challenging. This is the everyday world of illiterate adults. Data from National Coalition for Literacy and ProLiteracy show:

• An average of 25% of adults in the Crossroads read below a 3^rd grade level compared to 28% for the state and 22% across the nation.
• An average of 45% of Crossroads adults can’t do much more than 3^rd grade math.
• Adults without a high school diploma face challenges finding employment. Those employed often have the lowest median weekly earnings. Nearly 75% have children. Through literacy and high school equivalency (GED) programs they can increase wages by 53% or more.
• Bringing all U. S. adults to a 6^th grade reading level could generate an additional $2.2 trillion in annual income. Improving adult literacy skills could help lower health care costs by $106 - $238 billion nationwide.
• A mother’s reading skill can be the greatest determinant of her children’s future academic success.
• 53% of immigrants to the U. S, are proficient English speakers.
• 75% of incarcerated individuals in the state did not complete high school or are low literate. 43% of inmates who participate in education programs are less likely to relapse back to criminal activity than those who do not. 

Success Stories

These statistics are sobering. There is hope. Here are a few success stories from our own area residents who have been able to break the low literacy cycle.

• “Getting my GED at age 31 finally let me get a job that lets me support myself and my 3 kids without government aid.” 

-- Amber, single-mom

• “I can read the safety signs when I work at different plants.”

– Carlos, contractor and ESL learner

• “I am 74 years old. I am raising my two grandchildren ages 5 and 7. Together we are learning to read.”

-- Donna

• Encourage a low literacy adult to complete basic literacy, GED (high school equivalency), or ESL (English as a Second Language) program such as those offered through Victoria College’s Adult Education Department. For information call (361) 573-7323 or complete a student interest form online https://www.victoriacollege.edu/Explore/ProgramsCourses/AdultEducation.
• Refer a job seeker needing a GED to Workforce Solutions Golden Crescent for supportive services. 361-578-0341.
• Support adult education and family literacy programs in the area such as the non-profit Crossroads Business and Education Connection (CBEC) by referrals, volunteering, or donating. Contact CBEC at 361-572-8232 or info@vbectx.org
• Volunteer as an individual or through your business or organization by joining CBEC’s Adopt-a-School initiative. 
• Stop by your neighborhood / local school to see how you can help.

Crossroads Business and Education Connection  |  3302 N. Ben Wilson - Victoria, TX 77901

361-572-8232 | www.vbectx.org |info@vbectx.org