First gentleman on mission to eradicate illiteracy across state
(from the Santa Fe New Mexican 1/18/12)
On January 18, Chuck Franco, First Gentleman of NM and husband of Governor Susana Martinez, spoke at a news conference about his interest in expanding the services of New Mexico Coalition for Literacy (NMCL). He cited the statistic “46% of NM’s native English speakers who read at or below the 6th-grade level” as a cause for concern among troubled youth whose parents are not able to read or help them in their studies. A better-educated population will attract companies to NM, helping the economy. In these days of slashed budgets (NMCL’s budget was cut by more than half in recent years), Franco is urging the Legislature and other resources to help ease the shortfall.
November 14 marked the beginning of a new era in literacy cooperation between businesses and education in Las Cruces. The Workforce Literacy Conference, sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce and NMSU's College of Education, brought community leaders together to discuss solutions to the need for workers with greater literacy skills.
Congratulations to Sheila McCaskill, our former Council Chair, for her nomination as New Mexico Coalition for Literacy's Board Member of the Year. Although she was not selected this year's recipient, Sheila did receive a Certificate of Commendation, signed by Heather Heunermund, Executive Director NMCL.
May 13 was the kickoff of our newest literacy partner, the Children's Reading Foundation of DAC, a community-driven, county-wide project. Their motto is "Read to a Child Every Day." Welcoming speakers were Governor Martinez, Senator Fischmann, Foundation Director Terry Miller, county school superintendents, and representatives from NMSU, DACC, and City Council.
We look forward to working with the CRF as we share our mission of literacy!
Advisory Council Meetings:4 PM, DACC Main Campus - Academic Conference Room
2012 TBA
Our first annual fundraiser, Monte Carlo Night on October 15, 2010, was a great success, thanks to our corporate sponsors:
Jo-An Smith, Artist/Designer
Austin's Custom Jewelry and Appraisals
La Buena Vida Women's Club
North Main Family Health Center
Romero Fine Art
Individual donors are credited on Our Supporters page.
Join us for Monthly Scrabble - a bargain at $3.00!
2nd Sunday of the month at 2 PM - Hasting Books on Lohman
All proceeds go to LVDAC. Help us while having fun!
