Literacy Coalition encouraging area leaders to help increase literacy in our community

One organization is trying to encourage area leaders to help them increase literacy within our community.

The Literacy Coalition of Herkimer and Oneida Counties revealed a new plan to do so. It took six months of work to put together and organizers hope this will be a step to solving the illiteracy issues.

The Literacy Coalition says nearly half of residents suffer from low literacy skills, which they say can limit the growth and potential for our area.

 "Research has shown when a kid is not ready for kindergarten when they get to 3rd grade their reading scores are typically behind. When you aren't reading by the end of third grade you are four times more likely to drop out of school all together. So, we really want to make sure our kids are reading at the grade level," said Lara Sepanski Pimentel, Executive Director of the Literacy Coalition.

 "What we knew is that the only way to really make an impact in the community is to come together around the issue. That is what a coalition is and that there is a real power in bringing people from the community to the table, the community voices, and the experts," said Peggy O'Shea, supporter of the Literacy Coalition.

Part of the plan is to expand access to literacy services and improve early childhood readiness for school. Some community leaders made pledges today to help the coalition's mission.