News

July 2011

Dear Friend of Literacy:

"These are the times that try men's souls." This simple quotation from Founding Father Thomas Paine's The Crisis not only describes the beginnings of the American Revolution, but also the future facing the Susquehanna County Literacy Program. As one of our charter members stated "It is time to fish or cut bait." That time is now.

We have been notified that we will not be receiving state funding this fiscal year. We are not alone; for the first time since the late 1980s, there are no literacy programs in Northeastern Pennsylvania being funded through the state. However, it is also an exciting time. We now have the opportunity to move forward with the mission, to provide life skills, education, and promote life long learning to residents of Susquehanna County.

Last fiscal year, under strict guidelines from the state,

We served 125 adults
30 received their GED certificate (88% of those who set the goal reached it);
1 received her CNA certificate;
6 got jobs; and
13 who were classified below the GED level advanced one or more levels.

We plan to offer GED classes for the community and the Susquehanna County Correctional Facility, one on one tutoring for low-level adults with the help of volunteer tutors, and once again family literacy in partnership with Susquehanna County CARES. The restrictions are gone and the possibilities are endless.

In order to continue to provide these services to our neighbors, we must ask for your help. You can help in two ways, provide financial assistance and/or volunteer your time to tutor. We provide individualized training and are available to help along the way. It costs approximately $1,165 per student per year to provide a quality program.

As you can see, it is not inexpensive to run the literacy program for Susquehanna County. Please consider sending a donation today to help our friends and neighbors. Send donations to SCLP, PO Box 277, Montrose, PA 18801 and/or call 465-2880 to become a volunteer tutor.

Thank you for your continued support,
Susquehanna County Literacy Program Board of Directors

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