Live Literately, Launches in 6 Countries;
Teams Up With Volunteers To Deploy
Global Literacy Initiative
SALT LAKE
CITY, May 19th, 2018 – Live Literately, a non-profit
seeking to foster a love for reading, formally launched today. Founded by David
Michael Hamilton, with the support of his executive board, Live Literately will
work with volunteers around the globe to provide reading programs aimed at
promoting literacy among children through community volunteer reading programs,
remedial reading programs, tutoring, and workplace literacy for adults.
On launch, Live Literately has already partnered with over 70
affiliates comprised of industry professionals including authors, book
bloggers, photographers, cover designers, and editors. In addition to
affiliates who provide professional and financial support to the non-profit,
Live Literately has already networked with 64 volunteers preparing to operate
free monthly literacy programs in 6 countries including the U.S., Canada, UK,
and Australia.
According to a publication by the National Center for
Education Statistics based on information gathered by the U.S. Department of
Education, the Institute of Education Sciences, the National Center for
Education Statistics, and the National Assessment of Adult Literacy, 12% of
adults in the United States alone lack basic competency in document literacy
(job applications, work contracts, insurance information, etc.) Research also
shows 22% of adults have below basic competency in quantitative literacy,
struggling to understand the meaning
of words even when they can read them.
“This problem is very real and very much ignored,” says
founder and executive director David Michael Hamilton. “Partially because
somebody who struggles with literacy isn’t likely to tell you about it. They
don’t want the people closest to them to think less of them. I didn’t discover
my mother’s extreme struggle with reading until I was 21 years old.”
Numerous hurdles exist preventing children and adults from
becoming fluent in both reading and writing. Factors like learning
disabilities, a lack of literature, underfunding in schools, difficult living
conditions, poverty, and parents with little schooling all contribute children
and adolescents falling through the cracks and being left behind.
Live Literately’s vision is to provide the gift of literacy to
children as well as adults, working with a network of affiliates and
professionals to host creative writing workshops, tutoring, and even the
elements of cover design and publication to further grow a love for books in
people of all ages.
“We realize the importance of adult literacy as well,” says
Hamilton. “Reading and comprehending what you read is necessary for completing
job applications, understanding employee handbooks and career progression. More
importantly, when we can foster a love for reading in adults it’s more likely
to be passed on to their children. 32 million Americans, 757 million adults
globally can’t read and write. This is absolutely unacceptable. We’ll do
everything in our power to lower that number.”
The founding team and board of directors is comprised of 7
individuals (including Hamilton) with decades of experience in multiple
contexts, including roles as authors, educators, mental health leaders, law,
and information technology. These perspectives enable the Live Literately team
to bring experience, contextual understanding, empathy, and a breadth of skill
to take action and effectively deploy the organizations programs in key
geographic locations through the first year.
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