The Literacy Coalition of Oswego County (LCOC), is hosting a free literacy event, “One World, Many Stories,” 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Oswego YMCA Armory, 265 W. 1st St., it was announced by Jeanne Cieszeski, event planning team chairperson.
“The event promises to be a wonderful celebration of literacy and the joy of reading for all ages—from pre-school through adults,” Cieszeski said. “There will be a multitude of activities for families throughout the day. Among these are a free book giveaway station; a bounce house for kids, face painting, balloon animals, craft projects by CNY ARTS, food, and the ‘Driving Books Home’ Bookmobile.
“There will also be ‘Paws For Reading’ set up to offer children the opportunity to read to pets. Plus there will be an Author’s Corner to offer participants the opportunity to meet local authors.
“A number of education provider booths will echo the event theme—One World, Many Stories—by representing different countries. ‘Passports’ will be provided to anyone who attends so that they can get them stamped at each booth. Anyone who visits all the education provider booths can enter to win door prizes. Among the providers are: Literacy Volunteers of Oswego County (LVOC); Oswego County Opportunities (OCO) Headstart; Oswego County Workforce NY; Oswego County Library Council; ARISE; Cayuga Community College; SUNY OSWEGO; Oswego County BOCES; Fulton School District GED; NY State Assemblyman Will Barclay; Rural Health Network; local police and fire departments; and more.”
In addition, children from around the county have been participating in local summer reading programs of the same name and the top ten from each program will be entered in a contest to win prizes at this event, Ciezeski said.
“The goal of The Literacy Coalition of Oswego County is to empower our community to build literacy in a collaborative, inclusive and comprehensive manner,” said Philip R. Church, Oswego County Administrator and coalition chairperson. “The Coalition is dedicated to supporting and expanding literacy services so that people can work, the economy can grow, families can thrive, and our community can prosper.”
The LCOC is a growing coalition of more than 36 local organizations. These organizations work together to address the literacy needs of people of all ages.
Members of the LCOC Leadership Council include: Alliance Bank; Assemblyman William Barclay 124th District; Cayuga Community College; Chirello Advertising, City of Fulton; City of Oswego; Constellation Energy; Cornell Cooperative Extension of Oswego County; Eastern Shore Associates; Entergy Nuclear Northeast; Fulton City School District; Fulton Family YMCA; Greater Oswego-Fulton Chamber of Commerce; Literacy Volunteers of Oswego County; Operation Oswego County; Central Southern Tier Regional Adult Education Network.
Other Leadership Council supporters include: NYS Education Department; NYS Sen. Patty Ritchie 48th District; Oswego City School District; Oswego County Administrator; Oswego County BOCES; Oswego County Federal Credit Union; Oswego County Legislature; Oswego County Opportunities; Oswego County Workforce Development Board; Oswego Family County Family Court Judge Kimberly Seager; Oswego Health; Oswego Public Library; Oswego YMCA; Pathfinder Bank; Pulaski School District; State University of New York at Oswego; The Palladium-Times; United Way of Greater Oswego County; and the Wes Hyde Foundation.
An estimated 40 to 44 million adults in the United States demonstrate skills in the lowest level of prose, document, and quantitative proficiencies.
Many are unable to total an entry on a deposit slip, locate the time and place on a meeting form, or identify a piece of specific information in a brief news article (ProLiteracy Worldwide).
In Oswego County, close to 17,000 adults cannot read above a fifth grade reading level. With the help of volunteers, donors and advocates, the Literacy Coalition of Oswego County helps adults develop their basic literary skills.
In addition, several local school districts support the coalition to address illiteracy within their student populations, Church said.
For more information about The Literacy Coalition of Oswego County, visit www.oswegocounty.com and click on the literacy coalition link.
