What is LAMA?

LAMA is a practical, innovative coalition, comprised of leaders from literacy and human service providers, educational and academic organizations, and the business community. Fifty one individuals from 32 organizations have joined together to expand effective, standardized community-based literacy services.

When was LAMA formed?

LAMA was formed in June 2010 with seed money granted to Literacy Action from the Joseph B. Whitehead Foundation. The consortium was created in response to an identified community need: the more than 800,000 adults in the metro Atlanta community with low literacy skills (including both native and non-native speakers of English.) That is 28% of the metro area’s population. Low literacy is one of the root causes of poverty, unemployment and under-employment, homelessness, and poor health outcomes – all of which have vast implications in terms of the cost to society.

Why does LAMA exist?

LAMA exists to provide visibility for the issue of low literacy and its impact on our community; to provide visibility for its member organizations in their work to combat low literacy; to develop and implement a viable model for expansion of literacy programming; and to offer a single marketing-and-funding mechanism for the member organizations so that they are free to deliver “more mission.”

To learn more about LAMA, view their participating organizations, and become a member, visit http://www.literacyallianceatlanta.org.