Community Foundation for Monterey County Announces New Literacy Campaign          

Dr. Diane Cordero de Noriega, Interim President of CSU Monterey Bay and Community Foundation Board Member, announced the launching of the foundation's Literacy Campaign at the 2005 Donor Recognition Event this past October at Pasadera Country Club.

As Chair of the Literacy Campaign Task Force, Dr. Cordero de Noriega presented an overview of literacy issues from her perspective as an educator and researcher. She also explained how the Campaign will establish goals for measurable improvement in literacy levels for the next five years and look for ways to make sustainable, permanent changes in the system and programs that serve the literacy needs of our county.

                                                                                                                            Dr. Diane Cordero de Noriega

Fact Sheet - Literacy in Monterey County

Overview:

In October 2005, the Community Foundation launched a multi-year, multi-million dollar, civic engagement initiative to open doors to educational and economic opportunities through improving the literacy skills of young adults in Monterey County.

• The Campaign will be collaborative, engaging grant makers, businesses, government and non-profit agencies, neighborhood groups, educators, families, and individuals.
• The main beneficiaries will be young adults between the ages of 18-35, particularly those who are parents, and for whom literacy is a barrier to success.
• The whole community will become more aware of the importance of literacy.
• The results will be measured, reported, replicated, and sustained.
• The initial request for applications will be issued in the summer of 2006.

Research Shows:

 

• Literacy in one's native (first) language makes it easier to learn a second language.
• Lack of English language and literacy skills (listening, reading, speaking and writing skills) is a barrier to entry and advancement in many types of employment.
• Higher paying jobs demand literacy in English.
• Children from homes with high literacy skills have greater success in school and at work.
• Children who cannot read by the 4th grade are among the first to drop out of high school.

In Monterey County:

• 11% of adults are not literate in any language.
• 25% of adults read below the 4th grade level and only 68% have completed high school.
• 55% of adults seeking services say their inability to speak English is a barrier.
• 46% of children enter kindergarten without the necessary pre-academic skills.

Literacy is the key to doors of opportunity:

• It is essential to success in the workplace.
• It steers young people towards lives of positive contributions.
• It is a measure of a community's economic health and vitality.
• It is crucial for participation in our democratic processes.