Literacy Council Gulf Coast is proud of our recent proclamation from Mayor Ben Nelson and the Bonita Springs City Council for our 25th anniversary!The words that the City Council chose to honor Literacy Council highlight some of the very real, very impactful accomplishments we have made over the past 25 years. Here are the words by which the Council, our over 800 volunteer tutors, and our generous supporters have been honored:

WHEREAS, Literacy Council Gulf Coast, Inc. is a nonprofit agency who has served southwest Florida for 25 years; and

WHEREAS, the mission of Literacy Council Gulf Coast Mission is to assist adults and children to acquire the literacy skills necessary to improve their quality of life; and

WHEREAS, literacy is the key that unlocks an individual’s ability to learn and without literacy skills, people are unable to reach their learning potential.

WHEREAS, the Council is the second largest nongovernmental, nonprofit literacy organization in the United States, according to ProLiteracy, serving students and families in Lee, Hendry and Collier County; and

WHEREAS, nearly 800 volunteers served over 3,400 children, mothers, and families during the 2012-2013 school year; and,

WHEREAS, 98% of adult students surveyed have indicated that they have reached their individual literacy goals through the work of the Council; and,

WHEREAS, 100% of children who have graduated from the Carol DeJoy Moms and Tots family literacy program have started kindergarten at or above school grade level; and,

WHEREAS, the Council has offered these services without receiving any federal, state, or local government subsidy; and

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE Bonita Springs City Council commends Literacy Council Gulf Coast for their 25 years of service to the community and encourages the advancement of literacy in our region through the support and volunteerism of citizens with the Council to improve our community and region.