About NWILC

The Coalition was founded as a result of an identified need. A state legislative study committee looking at adult education believed there was a need for better coordination of literacy efforts in Indiana. The Director of Portage Adult Education convened a series of meetings to discuss literacy efforts regionally. These meetings led to the founding of the Coaltion.

The Northwest Indiana Literacy Coalition, Inc. ("NWILC") was organized in 1987 as a not-for-profit corporation dedicated to the promotion of literacy in our area. The Coalition represents a coming together of interested groups and individuals involved with literacy.

Since its inception, the Coalition has emphasized the need for basic skills improvement in the workforce. In order to maintain a competitive edge in our local, regional, and global marketplace, our workers must have the foundations required to advance in a rapidly changing workplace.

Our Goals

1. Provide a formal connection among all of the programs existing in Northwest Indiana serving those who need development in reading and writing skills;
   
   
2. Publicize and promote literacy programs throughout Northwest Indiana to encourage participation by students and volunteers and to heighten public awareness of the Coalition;
   
   
3. Encourage the development of expanding networking, partnerships, and coalitions within and among the different localities and groups and to coordinate, expand and improve local literacy services;
   
   
4. Provide a clearinghouse for information about literacy services in Northwest Indiana, and for referral of students and volunteers to appropriate programs;
   
   
5. Conduct or encourage study and/or research to identify the extent of the illiteracy problem in the various localities being served by the Coalition, and to heighten public awareness of the extent of the problem;
   
   
6. Establish necessary collaborative planning and organization for improving literacy services;
   
   
7. Promote and facilitate contributions of time, space, funds and other support by business and industry for employees lacking reading skills and to encourage employees to become volunteers in reading programs; and
   
   
8. Develop a comprehensive long-range plan for improved literacy services in Northwest Indiana, and monitor the progress toward accomplishment of the plan.

To achieve our goals, NWILC has incorporated programs, such as the Executive Spelling Bee and Time Out for Reading, has offered Mini Grants, and has hosted special seminars and workshops, such as "Reinventing the Workforce - Strategic Planning for Business, Education, Labor, and Community Leaders."

Board of Directors — 07/06 to 06/07

Members of the Coalition believe and understand that literacy is important. It is also a broad and complex issue and that working together is the only way to improve literacy efforts in Northwest Indiana.

We'd love to hear from you! You may call us at 800.348.7798 or use the Contact Form to send us an email.

Our Programs:

Volunteer Recognition

Our volunteer members are recognized at an annual luncheon.

We also give them gifts to show our appreciation for their dedication.

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