Local Spotlight: Capital Area Literacy Coalition

Did you know that approximately 20% of adults in the Greater Lansing area are functionally illiterate? That means, according to the 2010 U.S. Census, roughly 93,000 adults in the state of Michigan cannot read at a basic reading level.

The Capital Area Literacy Coalition, also known as the Reading People, was established to help close the gaps in our education system in order to reduce, and ultimately illuminate, functional illiteracy. Read more about how they’re doing it in the local spotlight below!

Their Mission to Eliminate Literacy

Capital Area Literacy Coalition has identified this problem and is working to counteract it with its small but dedicated team of staff and volunteers. Together, they provide free diagnostic testing and personalized one-to-one instruction.

Each student sets their own goals and work with a trained and certified tutor to achieve those goals. That could be working towards a GED, meeting job requirements, or preparing for a citizenship test. The latter applies to immigrants and refugees who are learning English as a second language.

Their services aren’t limited to adult literacy—they want to nip the issue in the bud by providing reading assistance to children and at-risk teens as well. Two hours a week for six months will have children and adults alike making drastic leaps and bounds towards literacy.