The seeds for the Literacy for Life Coalition were sown when the Community Foundation for Southern Arizona named literacy a priority and earmarked one million dollars for a literacy initiative. In May 2007, 165 community leaders came together at a Tucson Regional Town Hall and decided to give literacy top priority to produce a culture of literacy in Tucson.
Following the Town Hall, CFSA offered to incubate the initiative, with the proviso that others join the partnership as we moved to action. Many key organizations made that commitment, including Tucson Regional Economic Opportunities, Tucson Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce, Southern Arizona Leadership Council, The University of Arizona and Tucson Festival of Books.
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LLC is a coalition of leaders from business, government, nonprofit literacy organizations, public school systems, higher education, funding organizations, social service agencies and the media. We view literacy as a defining issue in Tucson's future. The coalition leads the effort to fulfill LLC's mission - to create a culture of literacy in Tucson.
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Our Vision
We believe that Tucson will flourish when we lead in literacy. We know that literacy improvements are the single most powerful economic development tool available in creating a vibrant community. Improved literacy -
Increases tax revenue
Decreases the cost of social services
Reduces crime
Increases health and well-being
Offers a qualified workforce to current and prospective employer
Provides people the opportunity to function well in society and in their families
How We Measure Our Outcomes
Our Strategic Business Plan is endorsed by the Southern Arizona Leadership Council, Tucson Regional Economic Opportunities and the Tucson Metro Chamber of Commerce.
And is aimed at achieving these outcomes -
Increasing the percent of children assessed ready for kindergarten
Increasing the percent of 4th graders reading at age appropriate levels
Increasing the percent of 8th graders reading at age appropriate levels
Decreasing the high school drop out rate
Increasing the percent of adults with high school diplomas/certificates
Increasing the percent of adults with some college
Learn More
2010 Summary of Accomplishments
Steering Committee Members
Literacy for Life Coalition Fact Sheet
Contact
Bill Krause
Interim Executive Director
(520) 325-3534
(520) 325-3782 Fax