As the year comes to a close, we tend to spend a lot of time thinking about what we’re grateful for – but how often do we consider how grateful we are for our ability to read and write?

As the year comes to a close, we tend to spend a lot of time thinking about what we’re grateful for – but how often do we consider how grateful we are for our ability to read and write?
In the United States alone there are 41 million adults with dyslexia. That’s a whopping 20% of the adult population. The real kicker here is that only 2 million adults are aware of their dyslexia. Chances are high that you have an individual struggling with dyslexia in your class right now. If this concerns you, and it should, then read on.
Literacy is most commonly defined as the ability to read and write. While this skill may seem straightforward, literacy is a rather complex skill that deserves a more complete explanation.
Why do people give to First Literacy? What inspires them to give? And why do we have almost 200 donors who have been giving to First Literacy for more than twenty years?
Now that the summer months are in full swing, classes are paused for many learners, including adult learners. This time away from the classroom can offer the opportunity to practice language and literacy skills in a way that’s enjoyable and can happen almost anywhere – reading for pleasure.
I first heard of the Boston Adult Literacy Fund, (BALF) and now First Literacy, when the CEO of Eaton Vance Corp., M. Dozier Gardner, handed me a file as he was retiring in 1993.
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