Mayor Gray Proclaims Sept. 10-16 as Adult Education and Fam. Literacy Week in DC!

Click here to view the full Proclamation.

Text of the Proclamation as follows:

ADULT EDUCATION AND FAMILY LITERACY WEEK
September 10 - 16, 2012

WHEREAS, the District of Columbia Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE) recognizes the need for a highly literate citizenry to be successful in today's world that is driven by technological advancements; and

WHEREAS, one-fifth of the District's adult's need basic literacy skills and secondary school credentials to meet their academic, career and personal goals; and

WHEREAS, OSSE sub-grantees and other providers offer adult education, ancillary, postsecondary education and workforce transition services to District residents so that they may earn a high school diploma or GED, pursue job training or postsecondary education, and enter or retain employment to earn a sustainable wage and attain self-sufficiency:

NOW, THEREFORE, I, THE MAYOR OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, do hereby proclaim September 10 - 16, 2012 as "ADULT EDUCATION AND FAMILY LITERACY WEEK" in Washington, DC, and call upon all the residents of this great city to join me in encouraging our citizens to learn more about the importance of literacy and become involved in programs with learners and literacy programs in our community. 

Vincent C. Gray

Academy of Hope on WUSA9 Hero Central

Academy of Hope featured on WUSA9 Hero Central Segment hosted by JC Hayward

Original air date: Monday 8/27/2012

Written by Elizabeth Jia

Excerpt:

WASHINGTON, DC (WUSA) --- The average person without a high school diploma earns $451 a week, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Adults in the District who want to earn their GED or prepare for college have a place to turn. 

Academy of Hope  is a non-profit adult learning center serving about 800 students. Students pay $30 dollars a semester, or volunteer in exchange for enrollment.

"I was working two jobs, 60 hours a week. Yet I still didn't make enough to support four children."  Darnetta Hollis, 29,  needs a higher paying job, but she needs to finish school first.  Hollis left school in the 11th grade when she became pregnant. But now she is able to return to classes at Academy of Hope.

"You don't want to be a hypocrite to your children. If you're telling them to finish school and go to college, you need to do the same," Hollis said.  Since 2008 Hollis has been coming to the adult learning center, part-time. She wants to concentrate on Hospitality Management at CCDC.  Her long-term goal: to earn a Master's degree within the next six years. The Academy of Hope gives her the confidence to achieve. 

View the full segment here:
http://www.wusa9.com/life/community/herocentral/article/218664/264/HERO-CENTRAL-Academy-of-Hope-Offers-A-Chance-To-Finish-School-