ERIC Number: EJ877230
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2010
Pages: 5
Abstractor: ERIC
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1934-2322
EISSN: N/A
Strategies for Building Local Literacy Coalitions as Seen through a Social Capital Lens
Jewiss, Jennifer; Pickard, Larissa Vigue
Adult Basic Education and Literacy Journal, v4 n1 p47-51 Spr 2010
Literacy coalitions have been organized in various settings, from small towns and cities to counties and states. Coalitions are alliances "created for the purpose of joint action [and] drawn together by common interests." Literacy coalitions promote the power and pleasure of reading and stimulate community conversations about literacy. This article describes five social capital-building strategies that advanced the work of coalitions in Vermont. The five strategies are: (1) develop networks among a wide spectrum of organizations; (2) focus on unifying themes; (3) create common spaces that welcome conversations; (4) recognize the need for fun and fellowship; and (5) foster relationships among individuals from different social groups. These strategies were used by two sites--(1) Bellows Falls; and (2) Lyndonville--to increase multigenerational participation in literacy activities and inspire community-wide conversations about literacy.
Descriptors: Literacy, Social Capital, Change Strategies, Social Networks, Network Analysis, Adult Literacy, Family Literacy, Group Dynamics, Community Coordination
Commission on Adult Basic Education and ProLiteracy America. 1320 Jamesville Avenue, Syracuse, NY 13210. Tel: 315-422-9121; Web site: http://www.coabe.org
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Descriptive
Education Level: Adult Basic Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Vermont
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A