Mission
Empowerment Through Literacy!
The Reading People works to eliminate illiteracy in our community by providing free educational support to anyone on a language-learning journey.
We serve adults with personal or job-related literacy goals, any immigrant, refugee, or asylum-seeker learning English as a second language, and children at risk of falling behind in school for any reason.
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We believe the ability to read and write is critical to personal freedom. Through improved literacy, we empower and help unlock pathways to new and better opportunities.
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Our Vision
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A community of empowered individuals, able to access the benefits that come with the ability to read, write, and speak English.
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Our Core Values
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Empowerment: We empower our students to thrive.
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Community: We value lasting relationships and serve all who have educational goals.
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Warmth and Openness: We create safe and welcoming spaces for learning.
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Empathy and Compassion: We honor the well-being of our students and show one-another grace.
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Resilience: We persevere on a path to eliminate illiteracy in our community.
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Equity and Inclusivity: We value diversity and provide opportunities for all.
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Cultural Sensitivity: We treat everyone with kindness and celebrate differences.
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Gratitude: We deeply appreciate the crucial support of our community and our volunteers.
UNDERSTANDING
THE CHALLENGE
20% of adults in the greater-Lansing counties of Clinton, Eaton, and Ingham – or 80,000 individuals – lack basic literacy skills.
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According to the National Literacy Institute:
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130 million adults in the US are unable to read a simple story to their children.
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21% of adults in the US are functionally illiterate in 2022. 45 million adults read below a 5th grade level.
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20% of Americans read below the level needed to earn a living wage.
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50% of the unemployed between the ages of 16 and 21 cannot read well enough to be considered functionally literate.
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Between 46% and 51% of American adults have income well below the poverty level because of their inability to read.
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Approximately 50% of Americans lack the skills to perform simple tasks such as reading prescription drug labels.