Support of literacy programs is vital

Approximately 125,000 DuPage County residents struggle with limited English skills. Nationwide, funding for adult literacy programs is under siege, affecting the more than 30 million adults nationwide who cannot read well enough to read a news article written at the third grade level, take a driver’s exam, or read the label on a medicine bottle.

The situation is particularly dire for adults with low literacy skills who have been displaced by the recent recession. In fact, unemployment among adults with the lowest literacy skills has soared to 15.5 percent nationwide, compared to the national unemployment average of 9 percent.

Those of us in the literacy field have long seen a link between employment rates and literacy skills among adults. The U.S. Department of Labor estimates that illiteracy costs U.S. businesses about $225 billion a year in lost productivity. Can we really afford that? Adult literacy programs return $33 to the economy for every dollar invested in them due to people being less dependent on government services and contributing from employment tax revenue.

Currently there are over 200 adults on a waiting list at Literacy DuPage — all waiting for a literacy tutor. International Literacy Day is Sept. 8, and all libraries in DuPage County are participating with posters and information on literacy and volunteering.

We, at Literacy DuPage, are grateful for the partnership with the libraries. We must support adult literacy programs and recognize the tremendous impact they have on our nation’s ability to thrive. If you wish to become a volunteer tutor, visit www.literacydupage.org.

Paula Ledbetter Sellergren

Wheaton

Literacy DuPage board member