What is literacy?

The National Literacy Act defines literacy as:

1. An individual's ability to read, write and speak English
2. To compute and solve problems at levels of proficiency necessary
   to function on the job and in society.
3. To achieve one's goals and develop one's knowledge and potential.

Literacy is not the end product, but a means to a better life for each person, that person's family, that person's employer, and the community in which that person lives.

The first step towards solving these problems is to acknowledge their existence and find ways to effect permanent change in the lives of those that need our help.

1990 Census Report Hall County Total Population - 95,428 Number of 25 & older - 60,321 Below high school education - 34.9%	2000 Census Report Hall County Total Population - 139,277 Number of 25 & older - 86821 Below high school education - 29.5%
Since 1990, a decrease of 5.4% , even though our population has grown by 45.9%

Take a moment to look around our site to discover what we offer and how you can help. Use the contact information below to reach the Gainesville/Hall County Alliance for Literacy. We look forward to hearing from you!

Sponsor a GED Student

The GREATEST gift you can give a child is a parent who can READ!

• People with more education are more likely to get and keep jobs, lift themselves out of poverty, reduce health costs, and take better care of their families. They support their children's education and break cycles of illiteracy and poverty.
• The Alliance is committed to breaking the cycle of family illiteracy by promoting GED preparation, English as a Second Language instruction, and promoting education in basic skills
• The Alliance does not receive federal funding. Your generosity supplements the FREE classes offered to our students at the Adult Learning Center.
• Over 60% of our GED students are between the ages of 16-24. They are ready to correct irresponsible decisions they made in the past. Many are single mothers.
• On July 1, 2012, the test fee increased from $95 to $160 for the complete exam or $32 for each test. This increase creates a hardship for many students. Most of them are either unemployed or underemployed. A person working for minimum wage would have to work over 23 hours of work to pay for the testing.

SPONSOR A STUDENT AND MAKE HIS OR HER DREAMS A REALITY