The Literacy Council Wins National Support from AT&T By: Debra Des Vignes In commemoration of the 25th anniversary of the AT&T Foundation, the national philanthropic arm of the telecommunication corporation, AT&T employees were invited to recommend a charity they support and nominate that organization to receive a $25,000 grant. The winner for the third quarter contest of 2009 is Betty M. Wells, who nominated The Literacy Council, an organization she’s been involved with for ten years. “I thank AT&T for the opportunity to nominate one of my favorite charities in the area of education to receive this 25th Anniversary Grant,” Betty says. “The Council plans to use these funds to focus primarily on workforce and GED readiness; literacy in urban and rural areas; and partnering to provide financial literacy services—all vital components of a comprehensive regional literacy initiative plan.” During the ten years that she has been involved with The Literacy Council, Betty Wells has also read in schools, acted as a board member, contributed time and money, and served on the front lines of the fight against illiteracy. “The AT&T Foundation grant will allow The Literacy Council to continue implementing strategies from The Literacy Initiative, a strategic plan that evolved from task force committees consisting of nearly 300 community volunteers from multiple sectors,” says Julie Beckham, Executive Director of The Literacy Council. Each quarter, the contest will focus on one of four different areas of charitable giving: human services, arts/culture, education, and the environment. Fred McCallum, president of AT&T Alabama, says, “I am so proud of Betty and all the work she has done with the Literacy Council. Her hard work and dedication has really produced results, and I am pleased that the AT&T Foundation is supporting her and the Literacy Council in this worthwhile effort.”
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Literacy Matters
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THE LITERACY COUNCIL | A Partner In Reading
LiteracyMatters Matters A PUBLICATION OF THE LITERACY
COUNCIL | FALL 2009 | VOLUME 18 | ISSUE 7
Helping Job Seekers Over a Big Hurdle: Prison Time By: Debra Des Vignes
Attendees at the Community Opportunities Fair.
On October 7th , The Literacy Council helped host the third annual Community Opportunities Fair, which exposed Birmingham’s ex-offender community to local sources for social services and jobreadiness programs. The record number of attendees queuing outside Boutwell Auditorium testified to the dire need for such an event. Approximately 550 exoffenders eagerly visited dozens of vendor booths featuring organizations like Birmingham Weed and Seed, The Dannon Project, M-Power Ministries, and The Literacy Council. The event was organized by Networking for a Brighter Future, a coalition of area agencies helping prisoners, ex-offenders, and their families successfully embark on productive post-release lives with decreased
chances of recidivism. Attendees also went through a crash course in job-readiness that included a résumé workshop, dress-for-success tips, and mock interviews. Representatives of local businesses were on hand to collect job applications. “It’s thrilling to see the enthusiasm and the relief as the success of the ex-offender becomes an accepted possibility and then... a reality,” says Bill Halligan, member of Networking for a Brighter Future. “One in 31 people in the United States are in prison, on probation, or paroled. They include our sons, daughters, parents, neighbors and friends. It is the right thing to do to help them reenter society successfully. And, the Community Opportunities Fair is just one way we can serve them,” says Halligan.
11/13/2009 8:05:33 AM