New Orleans Area Literacy Coalition (NOALC)

Angela St. Hill
P.O. Box 15846
New Orleans, LA 70175-5846
(503) 347-8438
Albright@loyno.edu www.noalc.cjb.net

Year Incorporated

1993

Vision and/or Mission

The mission of the coalition is to assist and unite literacy providers in their efforts to raise the level of functinal literacy among the residents of the parishes surrounding the city of New Orleans.
Our vision for the future is to create a self-sustaining infrastructure, raise the visibility of the literacy issue and support and improve the quality of literacy services in the community.

History

The Louisiana Literacy Foundation obtained a statewide grant for VISTA volunteers to organize literacy coalitions in the state's urban areas. Three VISTA workers were assigned to New Orleans and laid the groundwork for the coalition.

Founding Leaders

The Louisiana Literacy Foundation initiated the coalition, as described above. A representative of Delgado Community College supervised the New Orleans-area VISTA volunteers. Seven local literacy providers served on the original board.

Early Successes

Mini-conferences organized by the VISTA volunteers enabled providers to network together and learn about literacy-related practices, issues, and events.

A directory of literacy providers was published.

A website was launched.

The Louisiana Literacy Foundation obtained an AmeriCorps grant for the coalition; this provided 20 volunteers who were assigned to local literacy providers over three years.

Early Challenges

Delgado Community College withdrew support of the VISTA volunteers after the second year because NOALC failed to meet a deadline for raising matching funds.

The coalition lacked permanent staffing and stable funding.

Board members were not able to raise sufficient funds for planned activities.

Turning Point

We never felt that we had "arrived." We are still very much in the growing stages.

Current Size

25-30 members, most of which are literacy service providers.

Unpaid volunteer executive director; a full-time special projects staffperson recently loaned from the Lindy Boggs National Center for Community Literacy.

No budget (just a few thousand in the account).

An office within the Boggs Literacy Center.

Recent Accomplishments

Established a collaboration with the Lindy Boggs National Center for Community Literacy (a nonprofit organization at Loyola University which was founded in 1999). The purpose of the collaboration is to strengthen and build the coalition.

In January 2001, produced a strategic plan.

In April 2001, launched a toll-free referral and helpline number.

Next Steps - Managerial

Diversify the board, which currently includes only literacy service providers.

Strengthen the roles and activities of the coalition's working groups.

Increase and expand membership.

Develop a fundraising plan.

Create consensus on advocacy issues and develop an advocacy plan.

Next Steps - Programmatic

Promote the helpline.

Update the provider directory and the website.

Advice to Other Coalitions

As soon as possible, find a way to get paid, stable, enthusiastic staffing. Also, focus more on services and programs for providers, seek official recognition from the city, monitor burnout from the board members and those most actively involved. Include leaders from different sections of the community: business, government, education, religion.

Last Updated

May 2001