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PCC Celebrates National Adult Education and Family Literacy Week

September 10, 2012

 Programs serve 6,000 adults in Pima County

Tucson, AZ -- Pima Community College’s Adult Education program is celebrating National Adult Education and Family Literacy Week with events that begin Saturday at Rudy Garcia Park.

The local festivities are part of an effort spearheaded by the National Coalition for Literacy to raise public awareness about the critical importance of adult education and family literacy.

“Our adult education and literacy programs exist for one reason,” said Deborah Gaddy, PCC’s dean of adult education. “To help every member of our community, regardless of their age, fulfill their potential and realize their goals. When that happens, we all benefit.”

In Pima County, adult education and family literacy programs serve approximately 6,000 adult students needing to increase their skills, learn English, prepare to earn a GED and get ready for community college or vocational training.

According to the latest national survey, more than 93 million American adults have basic or below-basic literacy skills that limit their ability to advance at work and in education, help their children with schoolwork, take care of their family’s health and participate in their communities.

Family literacy programs serve parents and their young children by teaching basic skills, English as a Second Language, and parenting skills to adults while their children are provided high-quality instruction. These programs are focused on breaking the cycles of low literacy, low education and poverty.

National Adult Education and Family Literacy Week officially runs from Monday, Sept. 10 through Sunday, Sept. 16. But PCC is getting an early start:

Sat. Sept. 8, 10:00 a.m.- 2:00 p.m.

  • International Day of Literacy Celebration “Peace and Understanding through Literacy.” Students and staff will have a booth and hand out information about adult education and civic engagement at Rudy Garcia Park, Irvington Road and South Sixth Avenue.

Tues. Sept. 11

  • Student Leadership Council members will inform others about the week’s events and share inspiring quotes.
  • Adult Education and Family Literacy AmeriCorps will honor homeless veterans in our community by preparing a meal for them at Primavera.

Tues. Sept. 11, 6:30-8:30 p.m.

  • There will be a community health presentation in collaboration with The University of Arizona on Cervical Cancer Prevention at El Rio Learning Center, 1390 W. Speedway Blvd.

 Wed. Sept. 12, 10:30 a.m.- 12:30 p.m.

  • Student Leadership Council at El Rio Learning Center will decorate the center, provide an information table and encourage students to make short videos for YouTube about the importance of adult education.

Thurs. Sept. 13

  • A Civics and Student Leadership presentation on GED 101 will be held at 9 a.m. at Community Campus, 401 N. Bonita Ave. Voter information will be provided from 10:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m. at the Community Campus. 

 Fri. Sept. 14, 9:00 a.m.- noon

  • Digital Stories Pilot Class: Students will write and produce a video about themselves to raise awareness about adult learners and their lives at El Pueblo Liberty Learning Center, 101 W. Irvington Road.

 Last month, for the fourth consecutive year, Congressman Jared Polis (D-Colo.) along with 15 cosponsors including Congressman Raul Grijalva introduced a House resolution (H.Res. 756) designating the week of September 10 as National Adult Education and Family Literacy Week.

In addition, for the second consecutive year, Senators Patty Murray (D-Wash.) and Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) along with eight cosponsors introduced a companion bill (S.Res. 546) in the Senate also recognizing the importance of adult education and family literacy, adult learners and the programs that serve them.

For more information about Pima's Adult Education programs and services, call (520) 206-3987 or email pcae@pima.edu.

CONTACT:
C.J. Karamargin
Vice Chancellor for Public Information and Government Relations
(520) 206-4850
ckaramargin@pima.edu