Keep Snapping!: More Poetry from LAI's Book Club

Did you enjoy our last poem? Here are more videos from the Book Club Poetry Reading!

Snaps for Poetry: LAI Book Club Hosts Poetry Reading

Part of our job at Literacy Action is to expose students to different forms of learning, experiences and expression. Today, students in our Thursday Book Club read original works of poetry to their fellow classmates and guests.  Following each reading, guests were able to give feedback and ask questions about each poem.  Many of our staff was in attendance and to see the level of bravery and conviction our students possess is inspiring.

Listen to our students read their poems and let us know what you think via Facebook and Twitter!

Stay tuned for more videos!



Friends in the Community: LAI Meets with Atlanta Business League President and CEO, Leona Barr-Davenport

At Literacy Action, we believe that community partnerships and collaboration is critical to ensure that adequate services and opportunities are available to all. On November 2, 2011, LAI President and CEO, Karen Webster Parks, with LAI Board Members, Dave Peterson and James Rodgers, met with Atlanta Business League President and CEO, Leona Barr-Davenport, to discuss adult literacy and its impact on our community.

Left to right: Karen Webster Parks, Dave Peterson, Leona Barr-Davenport and James Rodgers.

Adult low-literacy does not affect one person; it impacts an entire community.  Our vision is to build better futures by teaching low-literate adults literacy and life skills, so that they are able to reach their full potential and become self-sufficient individuals, parents, employees and citizens. With community partners, we are confident that we can achieve this goal and much more.

Bank of America Honors Literacy Action Chairman

Over the course of 43 years, Literacy Action has found itself in the midst of exceptional leaders, community organizers, dedicated volunteers, and generous philanthropists.  Wednesday night, October 26th, was no exception at the Bank of America 2011 Neighborhood Excellence Initiative Awards.

We are thrilled to announce David Peterson, Board Chair, as a recipient of one of five Local Heroes awards.  Award recipients are recognized for their dedication to serving the Atlanta community and David is certainly an excellent example.  Not only is he the chair of the Literacy Action board, but he also has played a critical role in the creation of Literacy Alliance of Metro Atlanta (LAMA).  For his service, Bank of America provided him with a $5,000 check that he so generously donated to Literacy Action.

To all award recipients of Bank of America's 2011 Neighborhood Excellence Initiative, we congratulate you.  It is clear that the city of Atlanta has a vibrant community dedicated to serving those in need.  As Literacy Action continues the mission of breaking the intergenerational cycle of low-literacy, we leave you with one question:  How have you served your community?

Not All Support Comes With a $: Donate Classroom Supplies to LAI!

It is no secret that monetary donations are important to the continuation of Literacy Action's programs or any nonprofit. What is not a common fact is that school supplies are needed just as much for our organization to continue providing instruction to our students. 

When attending Literacy Action, students are asked to come to class with paper and pencil, but due to economic hardships are unable to provide those supplies.  We try to provide as much materials as possible for both our students and teachers, but serving over 361 students in 26 classes, this year alone, can be taxing.

Supporters of Literacy Action have donated supplies to ensure that our students are given the opportunity to learn with the appropriate tools. June Rich and Becky DeCarlo, LAI board members, are two supporters ensuring that there is a functioning marker at every white board, and pencils and paper in the hand of all of our students.

Ongoing Classroom Supply Wish List

Dry Erase Markers (Black, Red, Blue, Green) 

All five of our classrooms have white boards so that teachers can better instruct students.

Paper Towels

The up keep of our classrooms are very important and students assist in cleaning classroom tables following their classes.

Green and Yellow fastener file folders

Not all of our students come to us wanting to obtain their GED, many set their own goals and we keep track of those goals with our Student Portfolios which are filed in green and yellow file folders.

2-inch 3-ring Binders

Keeping track of classwork and assignments is more efficient when binders are available not only for students, but for teachers as well.

Loose Leaf Notebook Paper (Wide-Ruled)

Because we do not have enough books for every student in a class, students write all of their answers and assignments on loose leaf notebook paper.

80-100 Small dry erase boards

When doing group assignments, small white boards are more environmentally friendly and efficient in instructing students.

#2 Pencils

Pencils are used in every classroom and for every GAIN test.

Hand Soap

Maintaining a clean and safe environment for our students, staff, teachers and volunteers is important to the organization.

If you are interested in donating supplies, you can send them to :

Literacy Action, Inc.

100 Edgewood Avenue

Suite 650

Atlanta, GA 30303

Exposing Adult Low Literacy: LAI Meets with Representative Kathy B. Ashe.

On October 13, 2011, Literacy Action sat down with State Representative, Kathy B. Ashe, in an effort to increase, awareness on adult low-literacy in Georgia. This is just another step in our campaign to bring community leaders together in our fight to bring this issue into the limelight.

Representative Ashe and Dave Peterson, LAI Board Chair.

LAI President and CEO, Karen Webster Parks, and trustees David Peterson (chair), Donna Krache and Sue Morgan, met with Representative Ashe to discuss just how adult low-literacy, impacts the community and what Literacy Action does on a daily basis to help Atlanta become a more educated and work-ready city.

Left to Right: Sue Morgan, Karen Webster Parks, Donna Krache, Olivia Greene, Rep. Kathy Ashe and Dave Peterson.

Educating adults is vital to ensuring the growth of Georgia and the Nation as a whole. With 93 million Americans and over 900,000 adults in Metro Atlanta considered functionally low literate, how are we, as a nation, able to remain a global competitor? Georgia has an unemployment rate of 10%, which is higher than the national Average. Literacy Action is one solution-provider that works to give adults the basic reading, writing and math skills to better their lives, and their community.

An Artistic Twist to Learning: Artist Shelia Pree Bright Talks to LAI Students

Shelia Pree Bright

On Tuesday September 20, 2011, Literacy Action was honored to welcome Shelia Pree Bright, a professional fine arts photographer from Atlanta.

Ms. Bright's works include Suburbia, Plastic Bodies, Young Americans and In High Def. She has also been featured in many museums, including Atlanta's own High Museum of Art.

Speaking in front of a crowded room of students, staff, instructors and volunteers, Ms. Bright discussed what led her to become a photographer, the inspiration behind her work and the social misperceptions of different races and ages that her work strives to disprove.
Following a brief powerpoint highlighting her work, Ms. Bright opened the floor to questions which sparked a lively discussion amongst students. Students offered their opinion on many topics such as; what is considered beauty within society, how we, as a community, can promote positive and realistic images of beauty and the effects of negative stereotypes and percepections of different cultures.

LAI President & CEO, Karen Webster Parks (Left), Shelia Pree Bright (Center)

Literacy Action prides itself on providing classes and opportunities to its students that inspire them and promote change within their lives and community.  Guest speakers bring with them different perceptions and experiences that provide students an opportunity to engage in open conversation where they are encouraged to express their opinion and insights regarding social topics and many more.

Special Thank You

Shelia Pree Bright

To learn more about Shelia Pree Bright and her work, visit http://sheilapreebright.com/