Atlantic Hyundai Blog | Help Us Support Community and Global Literacy

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September 8th is dubbed National Literacy Day thanks to UNESCO.

The aim is to raise awareness and build support for tackling literacy issues in our communities as well as on a global scale. The holiday was founded by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization in 1966.

Access to education and a foundation for literacy are fundamental tools for human development, and thus a human rights issue. UNESCO aims to shine the spotlight on ways we can improve education for youth as well as adults, and build awareness to improve literacy and reading for everyone.

If you’re looking to support the development of Literacy in your community, here are some great ways you can help!

Volunteer your time and efforts at a local library. Many public libraries and school libraries need volunteers for support in collecting and processing donations, running incentive programs for youth and reading, community outreach, and more. Volunteers are an integral part of the library system and promote literacy.
Gift a book or donate gently used books to Senior Centers, School Libraries, Local Family Shelters, or Hospitals. Donating and gifting books can help people access reading materials they may not otherwise have access to. Consider seeking out local book drives as well for reading materials being sent overseas to impoverished areas.
Start your own Little Free Library! Whether you choose to do this as a solo project, or prefer to involve your community, workplace, or youth groups, creating a public Little Free Library is a great way to promote literacy in your neighbourhood. These beautiful, creative little boxes can really liven up the neighborhood and foster connections between locals. Consider stocking the library in your area with publications in multiple languages; research the most commonly spoken dialects in your area to find out what is best to acquire.
Offer your tutoring services at local libraries, senior centers, and after school programs. One-on-one education provides students and individuals with a more focused, intimate learning environment. The reduction in pressure imposed by a big classroom learning environment can make all the difference! It means students can take their time to process the essentials of phonetics and reading comprehension with less external distractions.