Lawrence Clark Powell, librarian
and author, once said, “Write to be understood, speak to be heard, read to
grow.” This quote perfectly sums up my favorite local non-profit organization,
The Literacy Alliance. Based in Oviedo, Florida, their central mission is to
foster a positive relationship between books and today's youth.
The organization draws from a variety
of volunteers. They come from many areas of the community, including Boys and
Girls Town youth, high school and college students, and professionally trained
youth services librarians. The common denominator of these volunteers is a love
of reading and learning and a desire to share that love with their community.
The volunteers’ enthusiasm spills over into the many programs that the group offers for local schools, libraries, homeless shelters, and special events like the UCF Book Fair. This past year, The Literacy Alliance held over seventy events, benefiting more than 2200 children and teens.
They don't just focus on reading, either. The Literacy Alliance's programs include improvisational and scripted puppet shows, skits, magic tricks, songs, and science experiment demos -- anything to excite hungry, young minds.
So, what does Diane Keyes, a
founder of The Literacy Alliance, say is the key to their programs? “Paraphrasing
from the book Secret Science by the
inspirational Steve Spangler, ‘my job is not to teach, but to grab the viewer’s
attention and show them that learning is fun. Make them laugh and the learning
will follow.’”
From browsing the kudos they’ve
received on their website, http://thelitalliance.org,
it's evident that the group is effective. Teachers applaud their
professionalism and middle schoolers go out of their way
to procure copies of the books The Alliance features. One quote from a local
seventh grader best captures their essential quality, which is to smash
preconceived notions about learning: "Thank you for coming to our school
and making me laugh. I thought you were going to be boring, but I was way wrong."
Using skill, charm, and an
arsenal of silly voices, the group is helping to inspire a new generation of
lifetime learners.
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Thank you Emily Williams for writing this wonderful article about the Literacy Alliance! Leave us a comment - what is your favorite funny book?
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Thank you Emily Williams for writing this wonderful article about the Literacy Alliance! Leave us a comment - what is your favorite funny book?
