Program Management colleagues,
This article describes heartening news for South Philadelphia, and perhaps a model for the integration of community health and literacy that could be replicated in some other communities. Although described as digital literacy in the article, once this opens they may discover that basic literacy, English language for immigrants, and other adult basic skills are also needed.
Are you from Philadelphia and, if so, can you tell us more about this new center? Philadelphia is also one of the first cities to address adult basic skills needs in other ways, with a Mayor's Commission on Literacy and public library citywide online and blended learning initiative, a venerable and enviable annual one-day urban technology and literacy conference, this year May 13th, and with a neighborhood supermarket that addresses "food desert" issues and literacy -- that has a community adult basic skills center in the supermarket.
Are adult basic skills programs in your community in other community agencies or services? Libraries, shopping centers, job training centers, career centers, recreation centers, and elsewhere? If so, tell us about them!
David J. Rosen
Moderator, Program Management CoP
djrosen123@gmail.com
Comments
Program Management Colleagues,
The combined multimillion dollar community health, literacy and library, and recreation center in South Philadelphia is open. http://www.phillytrib.com/news/new-health-and-literacy-center-opens-in-south-philly/article_1996d492-268f-57e1-bf1a-b0a6fedbccbe.html
Are you thinking, okay, great for South Philadelphia? Or are you instead thinking, hmmm, I wonder if we could learn from this example and do the same in our community? Although in Philadelphia this cost $30 million, it may be possible to do something like this, combining adult basic skills, library services and a community health center for far less money. Do you already have a partnership with your community health center and community or branch library? If so, you might want to share this idea with them. If not, building such a partnership would be a good first step. If you are interested in learning more about how to build such partnerships, ask. I will offer my own suggestions and, if you wish, invite community health center and library partnership experts to join the discussion.
David J. Rosen
Moderator, Program Management CoP
djrosen123@gmail.com