The Importance of Literacy

The simple fact that you are reading this article means that you have one of the most valuable skills in the world.

Often forgotten, the skill with the most return on investment isn't Ruby on Rails, Public Speaking, or Machine Learning; it is the ability to read.

In the United States, 32 million adults cannot read. That's 7 in every 50 people who cannot read. It's astonishing.

32 million adults cannot read.

Many individuals simply can't read because they never had the access to reading materials. It is not that they don't enjoy it, they just never tried it. Those who don't start reading at a young age, never get into the habit and before they know it, they fall behind in school and end up dropping out.

Believe it or not, Literacy is a big issue even in large metropolitan areas like Los Angeles. Children are not encouraged to read at home because their parents can't read or don't have the means to provide reading materials. This is a huge issue that needs to be addressed.

Just like many organizations are trying to provide STEM or coding education for children, an organization that I personally am involved with focuses on providing literacy to the children of Los Angeles.

We focus on educating and providing tools to increase the local literacy rate. Constantly, we provide Saturday mornings of engaging activities designed to teach children the joy of reading and education.

From crafts to obstacle courses, there are many ways to tie fun into reading. For every book a child picks up, their chances of becoming literate past a 5th grade level increases.

Go out and inspire someone to pick up a book today!

I understand that not everyone has the time to volunteer so if you'd like to donate to my Thrive to Literacy project, you can do so here.