Pass the Word!

413 9th Street
Glenwood Springs, CO 81601
(Located in the lower level of the Glenwood Springs Branch Library)

970-945-5282

mfredendall@rof.net

A group of concerned citizens in Garfield County formed the Garfield County Task Force on Literacy in 1986 through a Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) grant. Working with the Garfield County Libraries, these volunteers identified adults needing individualized literacy education and trained volunteers to teach them. The task force was incorporated as a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization in 1988 and continued to operated as Garfield Adult Literacy. In 1998 Garfield Adult Literacy changed its name to Literacy Outreach to better reflect its mission of outreach to the community and to show commitment to enhancing the entire family's education. Literacy Outreach continues the work of the original volunteer core, concentrating on adult literacy. The library district still houses the Literacy Outreach office free of charge.

Literacy Outreach began working cooperatively with Colorado Mountain College (CMC) in 1990. In 1996 Literacy Outreach affiliated with CMC's Department of Developmental Education to consolidate administrative functions, reduce costs, and ensure that services were not duplicated in Garfield County. In 2009, Literacy Outreach returned to the auspices of the Garfield County Libraries. This new arrangement is in recognition of both the long-term relationship with the library and the appropriateness of the organizational fit. Although the library district has become Literacy Outreach's fiscal agent, the Literacy Outreach advisory board and director retain independent fundraising responsibility. One hundred percent of funds contributed to Literacy Outreach (which it relies on to operate) remain with the organization.

In FY 2002-2003, Literacy Outreach earned their national accreditation with ProLiteracy America. Literacy Outreach is the first accredited literacy program in the state of Colorado and one of only 300 accredited programs nationally. The program was re-accredited in 2007 to assure grant makers that the program meets national standards.

In 2006, Literacy Outreach was an El Pomar finalist for the Charles L. Tutt Award for Excellence in Education. More recently, Literacy Outreach, under the direction of Martha Fredendall, was recognized with the 2009 Jean Maio Award for Excellence in Adult Literacy, bestowed by the Colorado Association of Libraries. The award recognizes excellence in literacy programming by a Colorado academic, special, public or school library, or a library in collaboration with another agency. Priority is given to a program that serves economically disadvantaged individuals in settings where families work on literacy needs.

Martha Fredendall with Joe Maio, who presented Literacy Outreach with the 2009 Jean Maio Award for Excellence in Adult Literacy, named in honor of his late wife