Three St. Clair County adult literacy volunteers were recently honored with “The Distinguished Partners Awards” from The Literacy Council at the 2008 Literacy Summit held in Birmingham.

Governor Bob Riley proclaimed October 17, Literacy Initiative Day and the council honored 16 recipients of “The Distinguished Partners Award.”

St. Clair Literacy Council board members Sonia Dale, President, Sara Beth Blair, Vice President and Janice Adams, VISTA Literacy Coordinator for St. Clair County were honored for their service to the county and the state. Their goal is to create a 100 percent functionally literate community and trim the 20 percent adult illiteracy rate in St. Clair County. These three ladies participated in The Literacy Initiative—A Regional Plan for Regional Action from August 2007 to August 2008 along with more than 300 community leaders, volunteering nearly 3000 hours to help develop a literacy plan for Central Alabama. “We have many distinguished partners in St. Clair County that are dedicated in the fight against illiteracy. I feel that the three of us nominated received the award in honor of all those in the county that volunteer their time, money and efforts in the significant battle to ensure a better quality of life for all our residents,” Adams said.

One of the bigger problems discovered through the Literacy Initiative was the need for funding for individuals who wish to take their GED but are unable to afford the test. St. Clair County residents may now apply for “The Jackie Wuska Hurt Scholarship,” which will pay up to $50 towards the GED test fee for those who qualify. Wuska was the Executive Director of the Literacy Council of Central Alabama before recently resigning. Adams said Wuska was instrumental in attaining the GED scholarship fund and in expanding the Literacy Council to four additional counties. “She is one of the most impressive women I’ve ever seen,” Adams said.

Scholarship applications can be picked up at any St. Clair County GED testing site including all Jeff State campuses. You may also call 326-1925 to have one mailed. To date, over 70 scholarships have been granted.

The summit’s keynote speaker, Birmingham Police Chief A.C. Roper, applauded the efforts of the volunteers. “In order to break the cycle of crime, we must improve the literacy rate in Birmingham and surrounding areas. I believe this is one of the most cost-effective forms of crime prevention.”

Twenty-one volunteers from St. Clair County were trained as Laubach adult tutors this summer, 12 citizens have volunteered to assist The St. Clair County Chapter of the Literacy Council and the volunteer board of directors has 14 members who meet monthly and contribute financially. The St. Clair County Chapter also has 9 non-reading adults enrolled in one-on-one tutoring and 11 who have asked for assistance in increasing their reading skills.

Many individuals and businesses of all sizes have donated money that allows the council to buy the necessary books and training materials for county residents.

Over 300 Literacy Council partners had the opportunity to sign an endorsement pledge at the award ceremony. The pledge states, “Together, we will assist in linking resources to the projects we pledge to support to build toward 100 percent literacy through 100 percent community engagement.”