LIMA, Ohio (WLIO) – More than 60 million Americans struggle with basic reading and math skills, and Lima is taking steps to address the issue locally.
Mayor Sharetta Smith recently issued a proclamation commending three local literacy programs for working together rather than competing to help residents improve their literacy skills. The Northwest Ohio Literacy Council, along with the ASPIRE programs at Lima Senior High School and Apollo Career Center, reached more than 1,000 individuals seeking to improve their reading abilities last year.
Mayor Smith emphasized the importance of collaboration in meeting residents’ needs. “So one of the things that I heard today is that if an individual signs up that lives near to Apollo, then they're referred to Apollo, but if they live near Lima City Schools, they're referred to Lima City Schools. And so it's important to have different on-ramps for services in our communities, for individuals,” she said.
She encouraged anyone needing help not to let the stigma of struggling with reading prevent them from improving their skills.
