Trails to Literacy: PHASES
Working closely in partnership with other organizations in the community is an opportunity, a marketing advantage and a benefit to the literacy agency and its partners. A community-based project provides the chance to establish new links, or to build upon established connections, to organizations that can provide learner referrals, volunteers, community placements, and expertise. All of these are needed in order to provide a quality literacy program.
However, there are advantages to the other partners as well. Many agencies in our communities are looking for organizations like ours to provide services or positions for their clients. Many special interest groups exist only to share their interest and increase public awareness. Partnering with a Trails to Literacy project increases their exposure and possibly provides a workforce for their projects.
Our experience has shown that we are welcomed with open arms in these partnering schemes. Of course, it is well worth your while to consider and lay out the advantages that partnering with your Trails project will offer them.
The development and positive outcome of this project has produced a literacy- marketing tool that promotes literacy and its benefits to the community: referral agencies, clients, employers and volunteers. It shows the true value of outcome- based real-life learning, not only to the participants but also to potential employers.