Tackling Adult Illiteracy

Did you know?

• 1 in 5 Central Indiana adults does not read well enough to understand the newspaper.
• It is estimated that 100,000 adults in Marion County are functionally illiterate.
• The government will spend $20,000 additional annually in public services or incarceration costs for each adult who can’t read.
• Annual health care costs for illiterate adults are on average 4 x’s greater.
• For every ^$1 donated to adult literacy, there is an estimated ^$33 return in the community.
• A parent’s literacy level accurately predicts a child’s future academic and economic success.
• Illiteracy hinders people from doing daily activities like: fill out a job application, read a prescription, take a driver’s test, or check their child’s homework.
• The most effective way of improving the economy, public safety, and quality of life in Central Indiana is to improve the literacy rate.

This year, Harrison College has teamed up with the Indianapolis Colts to support Indy Reads in its goal to make Indianapolis 100% literate. Indy Reads, a Central Indiana nonprofit, is dedicated to improving the literacy skills of adults through literacy training. Harrison will donate $26 to Indy Reads for every tackle #26, Kevin Hayden, Colts Defensive Back, makes at Lucas Oil Stadium or away! For every $26 raised, Indy Reads provides the first literacy textbook to one student – helping to transform his or her future. With your help, Harrison, Indy Reads and the Colts will reach its goal of supporting 1,000 Indianapolis adults to read.

Support our Indianapolis community by joining the team to Tackling Adult Illiteracy with Harrison College, Indy Reads and your Indianapolis Colts. Join the Tackling Adult Illiteracy team in reaching its goal.