The Washington DC metropolitan region is one of the nation’s highest-skilled economies. By 2018, 71 percent of all jobs in the District of Columbia will require at least some training beyond high school. Despite this, 62,000 adult DC residents never received a high school diploma or general equivalency degree (GED) and even more need to upgrade their basic English, math and computer literacy skills. Reggie, in the video below, was in that position.

Strategies for addressing literacy issues in the DC region will be highlighted during this week’s Adult Education and Family Literacy Week, September 22-22, 2014. The purpose of the week, which is celebrated nationwide, is to raise awareness of adult education and family literacy issues, provide critical information to stakeholders and policy-makers, and advocate for increased access to relevant programs. The DC Adult and Family Literacy Coalition which is a wide coalition of community nonprofits who provide adult education services and their partners will host three events in DC as well as an essay contest for adult learners.

The theme for the week’s events, “Making Connections”, underscores the idea that adult literacy impacts many areas of the community including health, children’s education, workforce development, transportation, social services and more. Key leaders and policy-makers will be part of the following events:

Understanding the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act Monday, September 22, 2014 9:00am-10:30am PNC Bank 800 17th St NW Advocacy Day and Adult Education Panel Wednesday, September 24, 2014 10:00 am-1:00 pm Wilson Building 1350 Pennsylvania Avenue NW DC-AFLC Big Tent Meeting Friday, September 26th 9:00am-11:00am Thurgood Marshall Center 1816 12th Street NW

Low-literacy is a root cause of poverty, homelessness, and other social challenges our region faces. Adult basic education and family literacy programs provide the crucial bridge for adults to increase their skills and begin to break the cycle of poverty.

For more information, please contact:

Evita Smedley Adult & Family Literacy Coalition esmedley@southeastministrydc.org Riley Grime Adult Education & Family Literacy Awareness Group rgrime@southeastministrydc.org