The Bucks County Commissioners officially proclaimed Sept. 13–19 as Adult Education and Family Literacy Week, honoring Vita Education Services, Bucks County’s largest provider of adult education programs.
Upon receiving the proclamation, Christina Blanco, board chair, said, “This recognition is a tribute to Vita Education Services’ incredible staff, instructors, and tutors who show up every day for our students, and to the students, whose hard work and determination to build brighter futures is a constant inspiration.”
The proclamation notes that while Bucks County performs above state averages for literacy and numeracy, roughly one in 10 adult county residents is reported to read at or below low proficiency, with some individuals likely to be functionally illiterate, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. Challenges with literacy can hinder a person’s ability to achieve and maintain employment and to engage with their community.
Vita Education Services’ students are frequently rebuilding their lives after difficult circumstances — reentering the workforce, starting over in a new country, or returning to education after time away. Across Bucks County, Vita Education Services assists close to 1,000 individuals and families each year in achieving their educational goals, strengthening the local workforce, supporting family stability, and contributing to public safety.
“Thank you, Bucks County Commissioners, for honoring the power of adult education,” added Executive Director Heather S. Giampapa. “And thank you to everyone in our Vita community who makes this work possible.”
For more information about classes, volunteering, or to make a donation to support adult learners in Bucks County, visit www.vitaeducation.org.