Blog Post Written by Ben Hollingshead, Words Alive Volunteer
Since the first International Literacy Day celebrations on September 8th, 1967, the global literacy rate has doubled to 86% in 2023. Despite this remarkable progress, 763 million young people and adults globally still lacked basic literacy skills in 2020, a number only exacerbated by the COVID crisis. Closer to home, 46% of 3rd graders in the San Diego Unified School District currently do not meet the standard for language arts. Now more than ever, it is vital that our San Diego community comes together to ensure all children have access to the benefits of being a reader. You have the power to make this happen, and there is no better time to start than on International Literacy Day 2023.
From September 7th through the 8th, 2023, Words Alive will be celebrating International Literacy by participating in San Diego Gives, a year-round program that shines the light on local pressing needs. There are two opportunities for you to get involved: in an online Day of Giving on September 7th, 2023, and an in-person Day of Service on September 8th, 2023.
We would love for you to join us on Friday, September 8th, at 9:30 a.m. at our office. In partnership withUnited Way of San Diego, we will be assembling learning kits. These kits typically include new books, school supplies, and a craft or activity thematically tied to the books that deepen student connection to reading. Words Alive volunteers will use these learning kits in the Read Aloud Program, Family Literacy Program, and Adolescent Book Group. You do not need any specific skills for this activity, just enthusiasm! Please sign up at this link!
You can also support our mission by donating to Words Alive through San Diego Gives. On Thursday, September 7th, San Diego Gives will host a 24-hour online event to support local nonprofits. You can donate via credit card, PayPal, Venmo, or your donor-advised fund. Your generosity would give underserved students and their families access to books and, even more importantly, access to skills that will allow them to use reading as a tool to expand their world. You can give to Words Alive at this link!
Words Alive always seeks enthusiastic volunteers to support literacy efforts throughout the year. Once you attend one of our volunteer orientations, you can participate in various exciting efforts, from Adolescent Book Group Volunteer Facilitator to Book Sorting and Delivery. If you are looking to commit to the mission of literacy beyond September 8th, please look at the full list of our volunteer opportunities here.
Thank you for joining Words Alive in our mission to connect children, teens, and families to the power of reading on this upcoming International Literacy Day. Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact our Donor Engagement Manager, Tracy Dahlkamp, at [email protected].
references
https://worldpopulationreview.com/country-rankings/literacy-rate-by-country
https://www.unesco.org/en/days/literacy#:~:text=Since%201967%2C%20International%20Literacy%20Day,more%20literate%20and%20sustainable%20society
https://www.literacysandiego.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/State-of-Literacy-in-San-Diego-County.pdf