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Holmes Community College is participating in the celebration of 2023 National Adult Education and Family Literacy Week (AEFL Week) Sept.18- 22. AEFL Week seeks to raise awareness of the need for adult education and family literacy. The overall goal is to increase financial and societal support for access to basic education programs for U.S. adults with low literacy, numeracy and digital skills.
Various organizations, including literacy programs, advocacy groups and community colleges participate in and host events to raise awareness about adult education and family literacy. The Coalition on Adult Basic Education (COABE) is a national organization dedicated to advancing adult education and literacy, and it plays a significant role in advocating for policies and programs that benefit adult learners. Chelia D. Woodfork-Thompson, the college and career navigator for Holmes, is the COABE state fellow for Mississippi this year, so the college is participating in a number of events for AEFL Week.
On Tuesday, Sept. 19, Holmes will host an event at the Yazoo City Teen Center. Yazoo County Commissioner Robert Coleman will address the Adult Education class at 9 a.m. In addition to Coleman’s presentation, representatives from the Dream Innovation – Kellogg Grant partnership will provide a technology tour of their facilities in Yazoo City on Sept. 19.
Additionally, the Holmes Culinary Art students will provide refreshments for a statewide event on Thursday, Sept. 21 from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. at the Two Mississippi Museums downtown. The event will include a panel discussion featuring former Holmes GED Student and Current HSE instructor Sabrina Moore as a panelist. During the event, Mississippi Senator Joseph Thomas will be recognized as Champion of the Year for the State of Mississippi by COABE.
The roots of AEFL Week can be traced back to the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) of 1998. This federal legislation worked to improve workforce preparation and provide better access to education and training for adults, recognizing the significance of adult education and literacy programs. In 2000, then President George W. Bush issued a proclamation designating the first week of September as National Adult Education and Family Literacy Week. This highlighted the importance of adult education and family literacy programs in helping adults master the skills needed to obtain better jobs.
For those interested in participating in AEFL Week, here are some suggestions that the National Coalition for Literacy has given on their website:
- Download the AEFL Week logo and use it in your social media, on your website, and in your print communications
- Download and share NCL’s latest Adult Education Fact Sheet and NCL Fact Sheet
- Find literacy quotes and links to maps and data on adult literacy on NCL’s Adult Literacy page
- Check out exemplary programs, adult learners’ stories, and toolkits and other resources for planning advocacy around National AEFL Week
- Invite your local, state, and federal policymakers to visit your program and meet your adult learners
- Host an activity or event to raise awareness of adult education and family literacy
To learn more about the events Holmes is involved in, contact Chelia D. Woodfork-Thompson at cwoodforkthompson@holmescc.edu.
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