Milwaukee Co. Exec. Abele: Milwaukee County celebrates National Adult Education and Family Literacy Week

Contact: Melissa Baldauff, Director of Communications
414.278.4216 Office
772.579.6936 Cell
Melissa.Baldauff@MilwaukeeCountyWI.gov

Milwaukee – Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abele and Chief Human Resources Officer Kerry Mitchell are highlighting the County’s efforts to promote National Adult Education and Family Literacy Week, which takes place September 26th – 30th.

The focus of this week is to raise public awareness of adult education and family literacy resources, assist adult learners in need of literacy services, leverage local resources, and support increased access to adult education and family literacy programs.

More than 50,000 adults in the Milwaukee area cannot read above a second-grade level, according to a literacy analysis from Literacy Services of Wisconsin.

The County’s Learning & Development team is celebrating this week by recruiting educational representatives and adult literacy service providers to share information regarding adult learning opportunities in Milwaukee County. We have targeted more than 25 education and adult literacy providers to share their information with Milwaukee County employees and residents.

Tables are positioned in the 1st floor Courthouse Rotunda area. Four tables will be dedicated to education providers (colleges and universities) and four tables to adult literacy program providers. Participants include: Alverno College, Concordia University Wisconsin, Bryant & Stratton College, Social Development Commission, Next Door, WRTP/BigStep, Milwaukee Public Library, Cardinal Stritch University, Springfield College, Eastbrook Church Neighborhood Learning Center, Agape Community Center, Sheriff’s Department, Milwaukee Achiever Literacy Services, Silver Spring Neighborhood Center, Centro Hispano Milwaukee, Milwaukee Area Technical College, and Greater Waukesha Literacy.

Additionally, Chief Human Resources Officer Kerry Mitchell has asked staff to provide information to County employees on accessing and using the County’s online Employee Development Center, information on the Tuition Reimbursement Program, and information on eligibility for student loan debt forgiveness.

“Low levels of literacy contribute to lack of economic opportunity, especially in areas of the County with high levels of poverty, where resources are not always readily available,” Kerry Mitchell said. “It’s incredibly important that we raise awareness of this issue in our community and help connect children and families with supportive resources.”