Turning Pages SC Wins $8,000 from Dollar General Foundation to Boost Adult Literacy

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COLUMBIA SC – Turning Pages SC, a non-profit adult literacy council that provides one-on-one tutoring free of cost, has won $8,000 from the Dollar General Foundation. The grant will enable them to help even more adults in Richland and Lexington Counties learn to read over the next year.

According to the National Assessment of Adult Literacy, 13% of adults in South Carolina can’t read. And, over 75% of adults who can’t read live in poverty. Turning Pages SC gives free literacy tutoring services to all adults who want to learn to read better regardless of income level. Ten new adult learners have enrolled in their programs just this year, most of whom start off reading at just a 2nd grade level.

Benefits of improved reading include:

– Improved economic opportunities – Adults who improve their literacy
skills are better equipped to find jobs and advance their careers.

– Better health outcomes – Adults with higher literacy levels are
more likely to understand health information and make informed decisions about their health.

– Higher quality family life – Adults who read well can more easily
share books with their kids, help with homework, and play board games.

Turning Pages SC will now be able to serve even more adults in the Midlands. “We are so grateful to our talented Board CFO Chris Keefer for writing this grant and to the Dollar General Foundation for choosing us. These funds will help us continue giving over 50 hours of free tutoring per year to any adult who needs reading help,” said Lisa Cole, Interim Executive Director. “We would not exist without major funding from those who care. Community partners like the Dollar General Foundation are heroes that make a difference in the lives of so many.”

Know someone who struggles to read? Have them call 803-216-5663 to get started for free. For more on Turning Pages SC, visit www.turningpagessc.org.