Corpus Christi Literacy Council

Mary Gleason
Executive Director
4044 Greenwood
Corpus Christi, TX 78416
Phone (361) 857-5896
FAX: (361) 857-5898
info@ccliteracy.org
www.ccliteracy.org

Year Incorporated

1987

Vision and/or Mission

The mission of the Corpus Christ Literacy Council is to identify, develop, promote and coordinate comprehensive programs and resources that will measurably reduce functional illiteracy in the Corpus Christi Bay Area.

History

A Literacy Commission was formed by the Corpus Christi City Council after a task force identified the need for literacy services. This Commission later became the Corpus Christi Literacy Council.

Founding Leaders

The City Council formed the Literacy Commission and appointed the first board of directors. An attorney wrote the charter and the paperwork to get the Commission incorporated. The initial director developed a literacy program based on volunteers. Staff from Laubach Literacy of America and Literacy Volunteers of America provided guidance.

Early Successes

Funding from the Private Industry Council and other sources enabled the organization to hire three staff persons plus paid computer instructors.

A strong volunteer program providing tutoring in basic literacy was established.

Support was provided to church-based literacy programs and to the Adult Learning Center (operated by the Texas Education Authority).

Early Challenges

Initial efforts emphasized basic reading, not taking into account the growing need for English as a second language (ESL).

Funding challenges abounded in a community with a low median income, and few wealthy businesses. Funders were not aware of the need for adult reading instruction, and community awareness efforts were greatly needed.

Turning Point

I don't know that any organization can say they have finally "arrived" that largely depends on foundation dollars, fund raisers, etc. We have just amended our by-laws so that we can create an endowment fund. When we can support our organization's administrative costs from this endowment, we will have arrived. This means we will have established a permanent nonprofit whose mission is adult literacy service.

Current Size

Not a membership organization; 170 volunteer tutors help serve 700 adult learners. volunteers provide instruction.

Staff includes three full-time employees and four part-time instructors.

$130,000 budget.

Offices, including one classroom and a computer lab, in the Greenwood Library. Tutoring sessions conducted at 46 sites throughout the city.

Recent Accomplishments

Computer lab was upgraded in the summer of 2006. A part-time lab assistant is available to help students use a variety of reading and ESL programs, as well as for general computer literacy instruction.

Night classes were added to the schedule. We are busy forming partnerships with hospitals, churches, and the housing authority to make programs more available to more people.

Next Steps - Managerial

Overcome identity problems - we believe that four out of five people do NOT know who we are or what we do.

Build our recently established Endowment Fund.

Improve board participation and financial contributions.

Evolve from being primarily a service provider to doing more coalition-building work.

Next Steps - Programmatic

Expand our web-based and classroom based capabilities so that more clients may be served.

Increase the number of tutors to meet demand.

Advice to Other Coalitions

The key is to do your homework, plan first, and be prepared to offer a service the day you announce your existence.

Last Updated

May 2001