GRASS-ROOTS MOVEMENT IGNITES CHANGE
WORLD LITERACY CRUSADE

World Literacy Crusade (WLC) is a grass-roots literacy movement founded by an inner-city minister in response to the civil disturbances that shook Los Angeles in 1992.

Recognising the relationship between illiteracy, drugs and crime, the minister challenged local leaders, parents, youth and educators to change conditions in their neighbourhoods. He forged alliances between volunteers trained in Study Technology and organisations addressing the issues of drugs and crime, making major inroads into gangs through literacy training.

Today, World Literacy Crusade operates programmes in schools, community tutoring centres and juvenile detention facilities. It has grown into an international movement, with volunteers from lands as far-flung as Australia, Greece and Africa providing individuals with the basic tools to become literate, responsible, self-sufficient and employable.

After completing the literacy programme, 87 % of teens involved in gangs and drug use made the decision to relinquish their former lifestyle and embark on a productive and ethical path.

Parents tell the Story:

“My son has been doing better in school. His reading has improved and so has his self-esteem. I am grateful for the programme because he sees other students working and trying to improve too. He enjoys going to the programme, and comes home and shares with his father and me all the things he does and plans to do. Thank you.”

“World Literacy Crusade Programme has built up my son’s self-esteem, taught him to set goals and how to accomplish those goals. I have a better relationship with him at home. Communication between us has opened up. He has become responsible for his actions and understands that we care. This has given him the desire to want to help other children with their reading skills.”