Countrywide effort to raise awarness about literacy, poverty issues in Washtenaw County

WASHTENAW COUNTY, MI -- A free event aims to educate Washtenaw County residents about literacy struggles facing the community, and how they can help fix the problem.

A kickoff event for the “Family Literacy Initiative Campaign” is set for 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday, March 10, at Washtenaw Community College’s Morris J. Lawrence building. Lunch is being provided at the free event, which marks the beginning of a countywide effort to raise awareness and address the issues of poverty and low literacy rates.

The event will also feature a panel about the effects of poverty and the educational struggles it causes in Washtenaw County, officials said. Panelists will include Sharine Buddin, The Family Learning Institute’s executive director; Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Office Director Derrick Jackson; Michigan Works! Southeast executive director Shamar Herron; and Carlos Lopez, Ypsilanti Community Schools assistant superintendent.

There will also be a free screening of the documentary “The Right To Read” by Jennie MacKenzie and LeVar Burton - executive producer and former “Reading Rainbow” host.

Registrations is required for the free event, and can be done on the Eventbrite website or by emailing Literacycoalitionofwashtenaw@gmail.com

In Washtenaw County, 11% of the adult population struggle with basic literacy skills and about 20% of residents cannot fill out a job application unassisted or read a prescription label, the resolution states. The resolution also states that literacy struggles are a social and racial justice issue, with low literacy often being the result of historical racism and generational poverty.

Questions can be addressed to Wyatt by email at wyattk@washtenaw.org or by phone at 734-478-8212. The Literacy Coalition can be reached at Literacycoalitionofwashtenaw@gmail.com.