3K Walk Spotlights D.C.'s Adult Literacy Needs
Adult education learners, advocates and supporters will convene at the Mt. Vernon Library in downtown D.C. Saturday, October 12 for the second annual Walk for Literacy sponsored by the University of the District of Columbia's State Education Agency, Adult Education (SEA). The Walk for Literacy was created by SEA last year as a vehicle to raise awareness of the District's adult literacy needs and collect funds for adult education programs throughout the city.

The Walk will be hosted by on-air personalities from D.C.'s WRC-TV NBC 4 and Telemundo. Walkers will be treated to a display of information on SEA-funded programs and get to preview SEA's unparalleled mobile computer unit, the Trans-Form-Er, a 37-foot customized Winnebago with twelve network computers and other state-of-the-art technology. Official sponsors of the Walk for Literacy include: NBC 4, Telemundo, DC Cable Television, Giant Food, Verizon and the Fannie Mae Foundation.

"We are delighted to have such respected community corporations support our fight to improve the lives of D.C. adults," remarked K. Brisbane, SEA Director. "Low literacy impacts not only individuals, but entire families and communities - so it is necessary that we come together as a city to eradicate this problem."

The District of Columbia ranks among the lowest in the nation for adult literacy, with some 37 percent of the city's adult residents without a high school diploma and in need of literacy skills enhancement. As the nation continues to advance, possessing competent literacy skills - reading and writing comprehension as well as computer technology and workplace etiquette - has become a necessity. SEA provides funds and services to adult education programs in the District that teach basic literacy, English proficiency, computer skills and workplace readiness.

For further information about the Walk for Literacy 2002, contact Erica Clark at (202) 833-9771. To register for the Walk, call 1-866-832-2289 or log on to www.dcadultliteracy.org.