September is Basic Education Month and Literacy Month

Basic education and literacy is one of Rotary’s six areas of focus. We know that basic education and literacy are essential for reducing poverty, improving health, encouraging community and economic development, and promoting peace. Worldwide, 67 million children have no access to education, and more than 775 million people over the age of 15 are illiterate. Rotarians support educational projects that provide technology, teacher training, vocational training teams, student meal programs, and low-cost textbooks to communities. Our goal is to strengthen the capacity of communities to support basic education and literacy, reduce gender disparity in education, and increase adult literacy.

Asbury Park Rotary has encouraged literacy in the past through our Dictionary Project where a personal dictionary is given to each third grade student in our service area. We have supported the Sisters Academy of the Mercy Center in Asbury Park as a Wine Dinner beneficiary. And, book donations have been given to Asbury Park Pediatrics for its Reach Out and Read Program and to the City of Asbury Park