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Literacy is the ability to read and write and is one of the most essential skills that a person can learn. Literacy is necessary for success in the classroom and in life. According to US Department of Education data analyzed by Gallup, in the U.S., 54% of people between the ages of 16 and 74 read below sixth-grade level. The Literacy Alliance of Columbus is a non-profit organization that works to improve literacy for both children and adults in the Chattahoochee Valley. The organization partners with the Muscogee County School District and the Columbus Technical College to provide residents of the Chattahoochee Valley with opportunities to build literacy.

The Literacy Alliance of Columbus offers a variety of programs to children and adults.

Kindergarten Readiness: This is an early literacy program that is intended to improve the vocabulary of young children and increase their desire to learn. In this program, preschoolers receive one-on-one interaction with a literacy volunteer.

Mayor’s Summer Reading Club: This program aims to improve the literacy of children ages birth to eight and that of their families.

Family Reading Programs: The Literacy Alliance offers programs to train parents on how to improve their children's literacy. The Basics is a class that helps families learn literacy skills and the Book Parades program provides new books to atrisk children. The organization also hosts reading festivals and fun events filled with literacy activities.

Adult Literacy: Undereducated Adults have an opportunity to participate in free basic adult literacy classes. These classes teach the reading and math skills undereducated adults need to become more self-reliant. The adult program also includes resources that help adults learn financial literacy, basic computer skills and how to live a healthy lifestyle.

Brandy Tolbert, director of Literacy Alliance, says, “One of my goals for FY 2023-2024 is to increase the awareness and capacity of the program. With the help of the city’s Community Reinvestment Department, we were able to purchase and install three community book nooks to increase access to high-quality reading material in South Columbus.”

For more information on signing up for programs or volunteering, visit facebook.com/Literacy.Alliance/.

RESOURCES: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6659987/