CITY JOINS STATEWIDE ADULT LITERACY DRIVE.

Byline: Daily News

Santa Clarita is among 80 cities statewide that have signed on to a literacy awareness campaign that kicked off this week.

Cities That Read, sponsored by the California Literacy Inc., celebrated International Literacy Day on Monday with the launch of a drive aimed at mobilizing government, businesses and the media to make adult literacy a priority issue throughout California.

Organizers say one in four California adults has not mastered basic reading and writing skills. For people with low literacy skills, simple tasks like reading a job application, understanding a medicine bottle, completing a voter application form or enjoying a book with their children are extremely difficult, if not impossible, to perform.

``Because of their limited literacy skills, these people face difficulty advancing in the workplace,'' said Lisa Bennett-Garrison, the organization's executive director. ``They also will not benefit from adequate health care or education, and, in many cases, their children will follow in their footsteps.''

Cities who signed onto the campaign committed to increasing adult literacy. Cities That Read offers help to cities in establishing adult literacy programs or support for existing programs. Development of a Mayors Literacy Network, and promotional ads, materials and activities highlighting the issue are also part of the campaign.

California Cities That Read currently include Burbank, Glendale, Los Angeles, Palmdale and San Fernando. The program is open to all city and demands no municipal funds.