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/

The Millennials Are Here: Literacy Actions Kicks Off New Young Adult Advocacy Group.

On Thursday September 22, 2011, Literacy Action kicked off its new young adult advocacy group, YELL,Young Empowered Leading Literacy.


Hosted at the Square Pub in Decatur, guests were welcomed by LAI President and CEO, Karen Webster Parks, and staff. Food and drinks were provided and guests had an opportunity to win a one night stay at the Hyatt Regency Atlanta and a Kindle. LAI Board Member, Peter Stewart, addressed guests and offered more information regarding the creation and the importance of YELL.

LAI Board Member, Peter Stewart (Right) with guests

The atmosphere was energetic as guests mingled with each other and LAI staff. Guests took no time in asking in depth questions about the demographic of LAI students, what Literacy Action is doing to fight adult low-literacy and how they can get involved and take action.

YELL's is comprised of supporters ages 21-35 and its mission is to bolster the issue of adult low literacy within the Metro Atlanta community.

Working through Literacy Action, YELL hopes to involve young adults in adult literacy and eradicate the intergenerational cycle of low-literacy by utilizing their ideas, voices and talents.


To find out more information about YELL visit our website at http://www.literacyaction.org/page/yell.

Special Thank you

Square Pub

115 Sycamore Street
Decatur, GA 30030

Onward and Upward: Literacy Action Board of Trustees Hold Annual Board Retreat.

On Thursday September 15, 2011, Literacy Action's Board of Trustees met to participate in their annual all day board retreat. Hosted at the Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta, Board members began arriving at 8:30AM eager to begin working. The retreat, facilitated by Danielle Rutland of the Southern Company, allowed board members to reflect on the previous year, re-examine the organization and present ideas and goals for the next three years.

LAI's Board of Trustees are dedicated to ensuring that the organization continues to provide excellent services to all the students at LAI. It is imparitive that they continue to stay abreast on the status of the organization and discuss how LAI can continue to provide classes to assist the more than 800,000 low-literate adults in Metro Atlanta.  Board members left the retreat with new ideas and goals for LAI as it continues to move forward.





LAI is lucky to have such a great board who is committed to the work of the organization and the success of our students!


"We are truly doing God's work."
-Chris Miller, Vice Chair

Special Thank You to:

The Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta

Danielle Rutland-Southern Company

Denise James-Southern Company

It Is So Hard to Say Goodbye: LAI Instructor Bids Farewell To LAI And Reflects On Her Time With The Organization.

Well of course this isn't the first Monday I haven't been to LAI, but it is definitely different.  I was not sad until I walked into the doors here at work last Wednesday.  It hit me that nothing I ever do will fill me with the joy that LAI has.  That made me sad.  Don't get me wrong, I am very grateful and blessed to have a good job.  It pays well, but it lacks on the fulfilling meter.  There were times I was leaving LAI when I had to stop myself from doing the running man and the cabbage patch on the way to my car.  I felt that good.

Back in 2010, it was important for me to find an outlet to actually use my graduate degree, as I was not going to be positioned to get to do so in my full time work.  I sought out part time opportunities.  I had a major disappointment a few months before my interview with LAI. I actually cried because I really wanted that job.  I thought it was perfect.  Looking back now, I am so grateful and blessed that the other opportunity did not work out.  That would have just been a part time job, and it would not have made an impact in my life the way LAI has. 

The other day, a student asked if I made the sandwiches that I brought in on the last day.  I gave her a look as to say, now you know good and well I don't cook.  She said, "You tell us that we can do whatever we set our minds to, so I know that you can if you want to."  Now how is that for a natural high?

I want to just thank you all for everything.  What you do is really important, because it impacts peoples lives in a positive way.  Even when you have a bad day, when you get home and take off your shoes, you know that at some point in the day you did something for someone else that really has meaning. If you think about it, the number of people that can say that at the end of the day is getting smaller and smaller.

I expect to return to LAI.  I am not quite sure when at this very moment, but I have a feeling things will work out so that I can. 

So it really isn't a goodbye, just so long for a minute. 

Miss y'all already--
Lisa Conely, Former LAI Reading 4 Instructor

Sent Monday August 22, 2011

(Left to Right) Lisa Conley with LAI Student