Learn about Houston Center for Literacy

In 1988, Mayor Kathy Whitmire and the City Council established Houston Center for Literacy (HCL) (originally named Houston READ Commission) with one goal in mind: to raise the adult literacy rates in Houston. HCL works toward this goal by supporting literacy organizations and programs, engaging the entire community to join us in solving our city's low-literacy problem, and connecting learners with the education they need to be prepared for the future.

Support

HCL acts as the Mayor's liaison to literacy programming in Houston by supporting the Mayor's Coalition for Literacy, an association of more than 50 organizations offering literacy services. We distribute the annual Mayor's Challenge Grant to accredited literacy organizations across the city, and provide professional development courses, classroom resources, best practices, and volunteer recruitment and placement.   

Our demonstration learning centers are another way HCL supports literacy programs. While HCL is not a literacy provider in the traditional sense, we operate three full-time literacy centers in areas of Houston where the need is high: Denver Harbor, Sharpstown, and Midtown. Our centers are not only free of charge for learners, but they are also open to literacy providers to learn best practices. Organizations interested in starting a literacy center can observe classes, get lesson plans, and gain access to supplies by making an appointment to visit one of our centers. 

Engage

Another important aspect of HCL's mission is to engage the community. We accomplish this by raising awareness about the effects of low-literacy and advocating on the city, state, and national levels for policy change that will increase resources and funding for adult literacy. HCL is an active participant in literacy events across Greater Houston. 

Connect 

There are many ways HCL connects our community to literacy services. Houston Center for Literacy has given the United Way of Greater Houston special access to its literacy provider directory, expanding the citywide 2-1-1 HELPLINE's directory and its knowledge of literacy services in the Houston area. Additionally, HCL works with businesses around Houston to procure in-kind resources, such as computers, books, and office supplies for our member organizations. Further, we connect literacy providers to other organizations offering similar services, through our monthly provider meetings and e-communication. 

Mission Statement

The mission of Houston Center for Literacy is to lead and mobilize a coalition of literacy providers and resources to improve the literacy landscape of Houston.

Why We Exist

Houston's staggering low-literacy statistics have significant implications on the city's wellbeing now and in the future, including our workforce, the lives of many families, as well as the safety of all of our citizens.

Houston's Low-Literacy Statistics: 

• 1 in 5 Harris county residents lacks basic literacy skills, up from 1 in 7 in 1992. (U.S. Department of Education, Institute of Education Sciences, National Center for Education Statistics, 2003 National Assessment of Adult Literacy)

• Of the 75 most populous cities in the United States, Houston was recently ranked #60, with #75 being the least literate. In 2005, Houston ranked #53. (Central Connecticut State University, 2011)

• Immigrants who are proficient in English earn between 13-24 % more than non-English proficient immigrants. (Migration Policy Institute, Adult English Language Instruction in the United States: Determining Need and Investing Wisely (2007)).

About Our Name Change: Houston Center for Literacy, at the center of progress

For almost 25 years, our organization has been serving the Houston community. As we work to create a more literate Houston, our organization's mission has become increasingly important to our city's future. In order to better communicate our message, increase awareness of our mission, and define our identity, we recently changed our name from Houston READ Commission to Houston Center for Literacy. The organization's new name and logo reflect the mission to engage, connect, and support literacy providers as the Houston Center for Literacy is at the center of progress to create a more literate Houston.