How the Literacy Alliance makes a difference.

1. P.O. Box 2123P.O. Box 2123
Columbus, GA 31902-2123Columbus, GA 31902-2123
Office Phone (706) 748-2610Office Phone (706) 748-2610
Resource Referral LineResource Referral Line (706) 563-7555(706) 563-7555
Barbara MoushonBarbara Moushon
Executive DirectorExecutive Director
theliteracyalliance@earthlink.nettheliteracyalliance@earthlink.net
The Literacy AllianceThe Literacy Alliance

2. MissionMission
The mission of the Literacy Alliance, a non-The mission of the Literacy Alliance, a non-
profit organization, is to serve as a liaison andprofit organization, is to serve as a liaison and
advisor to the people of the Chattahoocheeadvisor to the people of the Chattahoochee
Valley and all area providers of literacy training.Valley and all area providers of literacy training.
Where there are gaps in literacy service, weWhere there are gaps in literacy service, we
assist in finding solutions to them.assist in finding solutions to them.
VisionVision
To facilitate the growth of Literacy levelsTo facilitate the growth of Literacy levels
in our community.in our community.

3. Columbus was the firstColumbus was the first
Certified Literate Community inCertified Literate Community in
Georgia. The Literacy AllianceGeorgia. The Literacy Alliance
was created to pursue this goal.was created to pursue this goal.
Founded in 1990

4. Did You Know?Did You Know?
 85% of children who are arrested have85% of children who are arrested have
reading problems.reading problems.
 Low literacy skills in the GeorgiaLow literacy skills in the Georgia
workplace cost employers 2.1 billionworkplace cost employers 2.1 billion
annually.annually.
 75% of unemployed adults have75% of unemployed adults have
reading or writing difficulties.reading or writing difficulties.
 70% of prisoners perform in the lowest70% of prisoners perform in the lowest
two literacy levels.two literacy levels.

5. The greatest barrier
to economic
development and
growth is the
absence of a literate
workforce.

6. Annual Trivia BeeAnnual Trivia Bee

7. Teams

8. 2008 Corporate Teams2008 Corporate Teams
 Aflac De-Duck-ShunsAflac De-Duck-Shuns
 CB&T/Synovus Cent-sationsCB&T/Synovus Cent-sations
 Cessna Plane TalkersCessna Plane Talkers
 Columbus Regional ScrubsColumbus Regional Scrubs
 Columbus Water Works: The Endless River ofColumbus Water Works: The Endless River of
KnowledgeKnowledge
 Communicorp: Revenge of the NerdsCommunicorp: Revenge of the Nerds
 Columbus Tech: Star TechsColumbus Tech: Star Techs
 Georgia Power: The Energy StarsGeorgia Power: The Energy Stars
 MCSD: Light House CrewMCSD: Light House Crew
 St. Francis Hospital SaintsSt. Francis Hospital Saints
 United Way (Sponsored by TIC Federal Credit Union):United Way (Sponsored by TIC Federal Credit Union):
United PlayUnited Play
 West Georgia Eye Care Center: H “eye” RollersWest Georgia Eye Care Center: H “eye” Rollers

9. MCSD Wins!MCSD Wins!
2nd
Place: Aflac and 3rd
Place: Communicorp

10. Dictionary ProjectDictionary Project
 Each student receives a personal copy of a dictionary to keep as
their own.
 Since 2005 more than 11,000 dictionaries have been hand delivered
to local school children.
Sponsors for the “Class of 2018” All Three Columbus Rotary Clubs

11. Book DriveBook Drive
Our Partner was:Our Partner was:

12. Columbus Lions Speak to ChildrenColumbus Lions Speak to Children
Players visited 4th Grade ClassesPlayers visited 4th Grade Classes

13. MCSD Adult EducationMCSD Adult Education
Marketing Efforts Included:
Billboards Bus Posters
GED Registration at the
Department of Health
Posters
Distributed to over 75
small businesses in low
income communities
Posters and Fliers
Schuster
Enterprises
Distributed 52,000 fliers through their Columbus
locations

14. Kindergarten ReadinessKindergarten Readiness
This program is targeted toward Muscogee County Pre-K students who
are identified as needing extra help building their vocabulary.
Pre-K Book Distribution
 Thanks to Phi Kappa Phi at CSU
 Gave away 680 children's books written by
award-winning author, Todd Parr.
 A total of 1,000 books were given to 400
children.
 Each Pre-K student from Muscogee, Cussetta
Rd, JD Davis, Benning Hills, Brewer, Fox,
South Columbus, and Forrest Rd received
two new books.
Miss CSU joins in the festivities
56 volunteers served 24 students at 4 schools.

15. 100 Entries

16. Partner: WRBL-
TV

17. Barnes and NobleBarnes and Noble
Collected over
1,600 books
for us to
distribute to
local children
St. Luke UMC
First Saturday

18. Book ParadeBook Parade
The truck arrived loaded with
books to distribute to the
children
More than 400 books were
distributed at four public
housing communities

19. Books for
everyone!
Books for
everyone!

20. There’s
nothing
better
than a
new book
to read!

21. Community InvolvementCommunity Involvement
 Worked with One Columbus on annualWorked with One Columbus on annual
award for deserving high school student.award for deserving high school student.
 Helped Partners In Education (PIE) recruitHelped Partners In Education (PIE) recruit
new partnerships. Executive Directornew partnerships. Executive Director
served as Chair of the Board in 2008.served as Chair of the Board in 2008.
New PIE logo designed by LiteracyNew PIE logo designed by Literacy
Alliance Administrative Assistant.Alliance Administrative Assistant.
 Involved with MCSD in many areas.Involved with MCSD in many areas.

22. December 10, 2008 wasDecember 10, 2008 was
proclaimedproclaimed
“Certified Literate“Certified Literate
Community Program Day”Community Program Day”
by the Mayorby the Mayor

23.  Bring literacy providersBring literacy providers
together to enhancetogether to enhance
awareness and identifyawareness and identify
gaps.gaps.
 Help parents understandHelp parents understand
their role in their children’stheir role in their children’s
education.education.
 Help children understandHelp children understand
the benefit of staying inthe benefit of staying in
school.school.
 Continue to bringContinue to bring
awareness to the GED prepawareness to the GED prep
classes and Englishclasses and English
Language classes in fiveLanguage classes in five
area counties that arearea counties that are
offered atoffered at no charge.no charge.

24.  Volunteer your time in one of our programs whereVolunteer your time in one of our programs where
volunteers make the difference.volunteers make the difference.
 Make a tax-deductible donation to support ourMake a tax-deductible donation to support our
programs and services.programs and services.
 Donate books.Donate books.
 Get your organization to partner with the LiteracyGet your organization to partner with the Literacy
Alliance for an event.Alliance for an event.
 Attend and/or sponsor our Annual Corporate TriviaAttend and/or sponsor our Annual Corporate Trivia
Bee fundraiser and awareness event in FebruaryBee fundraiser and awareness event in February
each year.each year.

25. The Literacy AllianceThe Literacy Alliance
P.O. Box 2123P.O. Box 2123
Columbus, GA 31902-2123Columbus, GA 31902-2123
Office Phone (706) 748-2610Office Phone (706) 748-2610
Fax (706) 748-2610Fax (706) 748-2610
Resource Referral Line (706) 563-Resource Referral Line (706) 563-
75557555
Barbara MoushonBarbara Moushon
Executive DirectorExecutive Director
theliteracyalliance@earthlink.nettheliteracyalliance@earthlink.net