Mayor Wynn Enlightens Us

Can You Read This?  Many Can't!

Known as a city that reads, it might come as a shock to learn that 1 of 6 Austin adults is unable to read warning signs or medicine labels. Literacy Austin is seeking to change that statistic by serving adults over age 17 who read below a 5th grade level in English and a large immigrant population representing more than 45 countries around the world.

As a 2006 grant recipient, Literacy Austin used Impact Austin's $108,000 grant to increase their onsite classroom space and to hire an offsite literacy coordinator who has expanded the program beyond their headquarters' walls. Gail Harmon, executive director of Literacy Austin, said the grant allowed the renovation of a commercial kitchen (the building was formerly occupied by Meals on Wheels), turning that space into conference training rooms and 5 new classrooms. The offsite literacy coordinator tripled the number of offsite classrooms, put tutors in place, and handled a myriad of other duties.

Serving 300 people at any given time, Literacy Austin offers classes taught by volunteer tutors both days and evenings. Students can attend classes at Literacy Austin's main building (2222 Rosewood Ave) where its 16 classrooms are again almost nearing capacity or at more than 15 sites across Travis and Williamson counties.

"Besides being nearly at capacity before the build out, transportation was an issue for many of our students. And for some, there is no way they would step foot in a building that has the word 'literacy' on it," said Harmon speaking of the embarrassment that some clients feel when they seek help.

As an added bonus, Literacy Austin also gained two new Board members as a result of their exposure to the women of Impact Austin. Both Sarah Swords and Val Meddaugh were welcomed to the Board this January.

Telling the Impact Austin Story

Recently, I had the rewarding experience of hosting an Impact Austin "coffee" in my home to introduce my friends to this amazing organization.  Before the program started and I introduced Rebecca, I thought it was important to tell my friends how I became involved and why I wanted them to consider joining Impact Austin.  Following are my sentiments:

I'd like to introduce you to an organization I have been involved with the past two years called Impact Austin.  Although it's only four years old, Impact Austin has given over $1,000,000 back to the Austin community. 

I joined Impact Austin in its third year and decided to sit on a focus area committee that year in order to understand the process we use to award our grants.  I had a great experience on this committee but was amazed when I attended my first annual meeting that year that I hardly knew anyone!  It was obvious that this was an amazing group of women - one that I wanted my friends to know about and be involved with! 

Our goal for this year is to have 500 women join by December 31st so that we can give five $100,000 grants back to the Austin community.  Ten of my friends joined at my "coffee" and even those who did not are enthusiastically helping us spread the word about Impact Austin.  If each member invites only one friend to join, our goal of 500 will be easily met!