Washington National Cathedral

Workshop Agenda

9:45 am; Sign-in and refreshments
10:00 am; Gathering, welcome and introductions
10:15 am: Program

Focus: Impact of illiteracy on the community and the need for literacy volunteers and resources for literacy workers at D.C. LEARNs and the Adult Literacy Resource Center of the DC Public Library

Issue: In the Washington, DC area, nearly one in five adults has difficulty reading. Poor literacy skills are linked to many other social issues, including joblessness and poor health. Our speakers will describe this growing problem, the need for literacy workers and available resources and support for volunteers.

SPEAKERS: Jeff Carter, Executive Director, D.C. LEARNs and Benjamin Merrion, Literacy Outreach Specialist, Adult Literacy Resource Center, DC Public Library

Jeff Carter has served as executive director of D.C. LEARNs, the metropolitan literacy coalition. Prior to joining D.C. LEARNs, he was the education technology directory for the Literacy Division at World Education, an international educational nonprofit organization based in Boston. In addition to his management duties, Jeff directs D.C. LEARNS public policy and advocacy activities, working with such organizations as the Fair Budget Coalition and the DC Jobs Council. In 2006 he was asked by former Mayor Anthony Williams to represent the adult education field on the Mayor’s Adult Literacy Council. He is the author of Under Construction: Building Web Sites as a Project-based Learning Activity or ABE/ESOL Classes.

Ben Merrion, Literacy Outreach Specialist at the Adult Literacy Resource Center of the DC Public Library, has more than 14 years of experience teaching GED preparation and reading for adults. He provides information and referral services to adult learners and adult education programs, develops reading and critical thinking workshops for the Adult Literacy Resource Center, recruits volunteers and coordinates adult literacy outreach events.

For more information contact Literacy Program Coordinator, Carol Hurlburt.

Directions: Enter the Cathedral Close from Wisconsin Avenue on South Road. If the West Front doors are still locked, go around the corner to the handicap-accessible entrance on the north side of the building near the exit from the garage. If the door is locked, ring the bell and inform security that you are with the Literacy Program. Then proceed to the South elevator and Room S-4. Alternatively, you may enter through the lower level Way of Peace by Bethlehem Chapel, cross to the north side of the building and walk up the steps to the nave.