Sigma Lambda Upsilon - Philanthropy

Philanthropy

In the spring of 2000, the Sorority decided to focus its efforts and funding on literacy. A study by the National Adult Literacy Survey found that between 21% and 23% of American adults are functioning at the lowest level. 25% of the respondents were immigrants, and 62% had ended school before completing high school. This represents approximately 40 to 44 million people. Not surprisingly, those with the fewest years of education and those who are new to the United States were most likely to have limited literacy skills. Among adults, Latinos have lower literacy levels than do whites, both in general and even when they hold similar levels of educational attainment. Adults that cannot read were children that could not read. At age four, Latino children tend to have less developed school-related skills than do white children. By age nine, Latino students lag behind in reading, mathematics, and science proficiency.

The Sorority advocates literacy as a means of ensuring the empowerment and success of our nation and of the people of its diverse communities. The organization strives to encourage literacy as an activity that affords limitless possibilities and promotes reading and writing as enjoyable, exciting, and empowering. Each year, the Sorority targets a particular population, defined by age, need, or location in which to focus its literacy efforts. This year, the Sorority's initiatives will emphasize the importance of literacy in the lives of children and youth (up to 22 years of age). It is Sigma Lambda Upsilon's intention to bring the richness and power of literature to the minds of children.

The Sorority's work will be based on the premise that literacy serves to uplift communities by fostering confidence within young people, so that they may advance toward their educational, personal, and professional goals. In turn, children may begin working toward establishing a foundation of success for their communities and the nation as whole.