Economic Crisis Challenges Literacy Program
Since it began providing literacy tutoring to Santa Clara County adults and immigrants in 1985, Vision Literacy has witnessed the financial struggles of many of its learners – local adults who read and write below a ninth-grade level and who often struggle to find jobs that pay enough to support a family in the high-priced Bay Area. Now, in the midst of a national ecomonic downturn and state budgeting crisis, Vision Literacy faces its own financial challenges as funders are forced to reduce or eliminate financial support for adult education programming.
“It’s a difficult time,” commented Program Manager Pat Lawson-North, “because while our funds are shrinking, our learners need our services more than ever.”
According to the Silicon Valley Council of Nonprofits, more than 230 programs are facing at least $16.5 million in cuts from Santa Clara County, the City of San Jose and First 5. Many budgets are not yet finalized, but Vision Literacy – a nonprofit service of the Santa Clara County Libraries – has already already confimed the loss of $53,000 in First 5 funding alone. These numbers do not take into account state budget funds, which are also expected to be reduced.
Vision Literacy, whose stated mission is to provide innovative literacy services for adults and immigrants and empower them to reach their goals, offers services in a variety of environments. Volunteer tutors teach basic reading, writing, math and computer skills to learners at libraries from Mountain View to Gilroy, at Elmwood County Correctional Facility in Milpitas, and at several community centers throughout the county. These opportunities open up doors of professional opportunity and personal achievement for adult learners who are no longer eligible for elementary and high school but are also not yet capable of tackling formal adult education or community college. All tutors are unpaid volunteers, and all services are free of charge.
However, while the volunteers and services are free, their recruitment, training and assessment are not, and Vision Literacy is trying some new approaches to fundraising in order to maintain its current programming.
“To keep the program going in these tough economic times, it takes more than the generosity of volunteers sharing their spare time but donations, as well,” said Lawson-North.
Recently, volunteer tutor Shalabh Goyal personally collected more than $1,000 to purchase laptop computers and launch a computer class in Milpitas. He raised the money through personal donations from himself and his coworkers, and through matching grants from his employer, National Semiconductor.
To support the general operating budget of Vision Literacy, honorary board member Joanna Laznicka took it upon herself to organize a fundraising dinner at the award-winning La Tosca restaurant in San Carlos. Along with fellow honorary board member Michelle Rose, Laznicka will host the three-course dinner event next Wednesday, July 15, at 7:30 p.m. $75-per-person. Tickets can be purchased by emailing joanna@phaze-9.com or michelle@phase-9.com.
Despite the fiscal challenges it and other nonprofits now face, Laznicka sounded a hopeful note as she prepared for the event next week. “While the overall economic situation is bleak, I know that people in the Bay Area really want to help where they can, whether its volunteer their time or simply enjoying a great meal for a good cause.”
For more information about Vision Literacy visit www.visionliteracy.org or call the Milpitas office at 408-262-1349.
