There's a bumper sticker that says, "If you can read this, you are too darn close." Imagine if you couldn't read that sticker — or anything else. an adult literacy advocacy group, estimates that 30 million Americans over age 16 don't read well enough to fill out a job application. But federal and state cutbacks make funding an issue for literacy programs. "As organizations try to serve more learners with fewer dollars, the assistance volunteers provide in working with adult learners and performing other tasks can be the difference between surviving or not," says ProLiteracy's Barry Benson. The reports that the fiscal year 2010 federal appropriations bill included $66 million for Even Start, a federal family literacy program that includes adults. With Congress struggling over budget constraints, the adult literacy portion of the 2011 bill may not survive. Local programs are struggling, too. For example, at Michigan's Read Muskegon, which has a $7,000 annual budget, the program survives mostly on donations, fundraisers and grants. Hundreds of learners are on a waiting list and more tutors are needed, says the program's literacy coordinator, Connie Nesbary. — Frank McCoy Cancel You are leaving AARP.org and going to the website of our trusted provider. The provider’s terms, conditions and policies apply. Please return to AARP.org to learn more about other benefits. Your email address is now confirmed. You'll start receiving the latest news, benefits, events, and programs related to AARP's mission to empower people to choose how they live as they age. You can also by updating your account at anytime. You will be asked to register or log in. Cancel Offer Details Disclosures
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