Area businesses and manufacturers are facing a serious issue in finding qualified, skilled labor. Part of that problem is 1 out of 5 adults in Jacksonville cannot read. I had lunch with a dynamic, dedicated individual who is on a mission to change that. He is Marcus Haile, the new executive director of Learn To Read Jacksonville. Right now Marcus’ organization is serving 500 adults a year, teaching them reading skills. But he says there are over 150,000 Jacksonville adults who need their services. So he has set out a plan for 2019, which is also the organization’s 50thanniversary, to expand the coverage of his organization’s services. His plan includes 1) increasing awareness of his organization and its services; 2) recruiting more volunteer teachers; and 3) raising additional funds to service more students (it cost $600 per student per year). He also wants people to know that in addition to reading, they also offer services to address financial literacy, math literacy and health literacy (for example, being able to read medicine bottles). Marcus wants to make a real difference in people’s lives in Jacksonville. I think he is on track to accomplish that. Visit LearnToReadJax.org or call 904-238-9000. Marcus is on the left in this ”Lunch with Les” photo.
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