WALKER COUNTY, Ala. (WBRC) – The Walker County Sheriff’s Office has launched a new program to help incarcerated people with literacy.
Walker County Sheriff Nick Smith shared that on Wednesday night, Jan. 7, the sheriff’s office launched literacy classes for inmates. The classes are done through a partnership with the Literacy Council at Jasper Area Family Services Center.
According to their website, the Literacy Council – Walker County chapter focuses on decreasing the illiteracy rate in Walker County by offering adult tutoring, children’s programs and young adult activities.
The Literacy Council was founded in 1991 by the United Way of Central Alabama, the Birmingham Chamber of Commerce and the Junior League of Birmingham. They all identified a need to support people battling illiteracy in central Alabama.
“According to the National Center for Education Statistics, approximately 16% of adults in the State of Alabama are functionally illiterate. That means there are more than 92,000 adults in Central Alabama who do not read well enough to earn a GED or fill out a job application or understand the label on a prescription bottle,” wrote the Literacy Council – Walker County chapter. “Of that number, 7,632 live in Walker County.”
According to Smith, each week, dedicated teachers, many of them who are retired educators, from across Walker County will volunteer this time to not only tutor but support participants in the literacy classes.
“This program is about building confidence and opening doors to new possibilities, and we are grateful for every teacher, partner and participant helping make a lasting difference in our community,” wrote Smith.
If you would like to learn more about the Literacy Council and how to help their mission, you can email the Walker County Literacy Council Coordinator Jennifer Smith at [email protected]. You can also call the Literacy Council office at (205) 238-7486.
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