Once again, MidSouthCon is helping the effort to promote literacy Recent, two orgainization dedicated to this worthy cause have joined forces to become Literacy Mid-South (902 S. Cooper, Memphis, TN, 38104, phone 327-6000). Here a little about each of these former orgainizations:

Memphis Literacy Council

Memphis Literacy Council is an independent, nonprofit educational organization that provides programs for low-literate adults and disadvantaged families. The agency operates its adult learning program from a midtown location and is open days, evenings, and Saturday mornings. More than 350 trained volunteers provide private and group tutoring for adults who want to learn. The family literacy effort is a cooperative outreach service for parents who want to help their children become better readers. Memphis Literacy Council was founded in 1974 and has more than thirty years of experience in helping people who want to improve their own lives and those of their children.

We Believe ...

Literacy is a fundamental ingredient in building strong families and healthy communities.  One in three adults in Memphis lacks sufficient literacy skills to cope successfully in today’s society.  Ensuring that adults have access to quality literacy programs is vital to decreasing health and welfare costs, improving children’s school performance, boosting workplace productivity, and lessening prison recidivism.

Mid-South Reads

Mission

Mid South Reads is a unique partnership of the University of Memphis and the Mid South Reads coalition of literacy advocates. Mid South Reads exists to combine the expertise of these partners so as to empower, develop and unify literacy efforts within the Mid South and maximize the efficacy of services to all segments of our community.

Mid South Reads, using both community and university resources, provides services, research and professional development opportunities to assist in creating and maintaining environments where learning happens. These collaborative efforts increase community awareness and participation in literacy services and positively impact our quality of life.

Goals

We will maximize the collaboration and effectiveness of literacy services by:
   • Providing learning opportunities.
   • Creating public awareness of literacy issues.
   • Providing information and referrals for assistance.
   • Raising funds to support our mission, goals and service.
   • Coordinating professional development and research opportunities in literacy 
      through the University of Memphis.
   • Advocating for literacy by organizing community resources.
   • Serving as a catalyst for positive systemic change in attitudes toward reading 
     and learning.
   • Identifying and acting proactively regarding emerging community literacy and
     reading concerns.