Page 71 - FGLN SC Onboarding Binder 2021

INTRODUCTIONS
Message from the Steering Committee Chair, Outgoing Kathi Horton and Incoming Marjory Raymer
Dear Friends,
Seeing literacy education as an opportunity to build economic development, community vitality, and quality of life in Flint and Genesee County, dozens of organizations and hundreds of individuals joined forces from September 2014 to March 2015. Together, we wrestled to define the strategies that were most most important to address the alarming levels of low literacy that are all too common throughout our region. Our work built the foundation for the development of the Flint & Genesee Literacy Network and shaped our focus during our initial years.
Fast forward four years: A lot has changed. The Flint Water Crisis brought greater attention to the need to provide our children with the best educational opportunities. Our network’s staff has grown from a single person to a dedicated and talented staff of four full-time professionals. More & more literacy providers are working together to effectively improve literacy rates. We’ve even gotten national notice for some of our work.
After all that, we knew it was time to pause, assess our progress, and probe anew what our focus should be over the next three years.
This strategic plan is designed to propel not just our network forward, but our community as well. It is ambitious and far-reaching, but it also ensures that we will continue to do the great and necessary work that we have been doing since the inception of the network. We will maintain our commitment to two-generational literacy intervention through collective action. Our network is made up of dedicated partners and service providers, and we will continue to provide leadership and innovative opportunities for collaboration that allow us to meet the continuing challenges confronting vulnerable learners.
We invite you to be part of the exciting journey ahead! We need you to offer your support, in whatever form that takes, to help our community live more completely into its potential — serving our adult learners while also ensuring that every child enters kindergarten eager to learn, grows into a confident student, and graduates from high school fully prepared to take their next steps toward a satisfying & fulfilling career. Every child. Not just a privileged few. Every child!
The Flint & Genesee Literacy Network is committed to bringing together those devoted to radically improving literacy. Please join us in this critically important work!
Kathi Horton & Marjory Raymer
Flint & Genesee Literacy Network Strategic Plan 2019-2022
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