Year Incorporated

1992

Vision and/or Mission

The mission of the Literacy Network of Greater Los Angeles is to improve the quality of life through literacy for the individual, the family, the workplace, and the community by cultivating partnerships, resources, and public awareness.

History

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors held a hearing in 1986 on the issue of adult literacy. This led to a Task Force that recommended a county-wide literacy network. At the same time, the United Way of Greater Los Angeles experienced an increased call volume and requests related to literacy. It decided to provide funding to form the Literacy Network of Greater Los Angeles. Originally housed in United Way offices, the Literacy Network later moved to the headquarters of the Los Angeles Times, which was involved in literacy through its Reading by 9 initiative. Through this partnership, the Literacy Network expanded into four more counties: Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, and Ventura.

Founding Leaders

An executive director and a Board of Directors (primarily literacy providers).

Early Successes

Held the first (and only) local conference on workplace literacy.

Conducted a county-wide literacy needs assessment (through United Way).

Launched a newsletter.

Early Challenges

The field of literacy providers viewed the Literacy Network as a competitor, rather than a supporter.

For its actual first five years, the organization lacked ongoing services and clarity of direction - seemed like a failed start-up phase.

Turning Point

Former and current board members point to the coalition's major event, the Literacy in Media Awards, as the most visible turning point of the organization. However, when the Coalition provided services that benefited all the literacy programs and that had never been done before by any local group (directory and referral center, see below), it really became viable because of the wonderful responses and new relationships that began as a result.

Current Size

200 paid members (this membership tier is being phased out); 250 literacy programs operating through 500 sites in the five-county area that are considered members whether they financially contribute or not.

One full-time executive director and one assistant.

$130,000 budget.

Offices within Los Angeles Times headquarters.

Recent Accomplishments

Hosts annual Literacy in Media Awards, a gala featuring such stars as LeVar Burton and Lou Diamond Phillips.

Published in 2000 the first edition of "That Literacy Phone Book" - requests from service agencies exceeded inventory of 3,000. Usage survey indicated the directory resulted in 40,000 referrals in its first year of publicaton and distribution.

Strengthened partnership on literacy referral line with L.A. Times and the County Library.

Produced a poster campaign to pediatric clinics.

Manages a 3,000-page, web-based referral center in English and Spanish (www.literacynetwork.org). This web site generates an estimated 12,000 referrals per year.

Under contract from local PBS station, trains child care workers in how to use educational TV to promote early literacy development in children.

Next Steps - Managerial

Overcome financial shortfall caused by unexpected cut in United Way funding.

Continue to build board of directors.

Next Steps - Programmatic

Overcome the sense of competition among literacy providers, primarily by becoming an umbrella organization for funding.

Produce second edition of directory. Since demand exceeded supply previously, and some agencies wished to purchase copies, we plan to print a surplus of the second edition to be made available for sale. This will help sustain a third edition.

Consider creating a "product catalog" for services available and our fundraising items.

Advice to Other Coalitions

Make room on the board for "movers and shakers." It makes more sense for the literacy professionals and learners to serve on an Advisory Board rather than a Board of Directors. New organizations can start with more strength by ensuring that the largest corporations in town have decision-makers on the organization's Board of Directors.

Last Updated

May 2001