The Mission of The Literacy Partnership is to enhance the capacity and effectiveness of literacy resources throughout Hampton Roads; promote the awareness of literacy programs regionally; and advocate for economic growth in Hampton Roads through a literate workforce.

Vision
“A Literate Hampton Roads.”

Measurement
The percentage of functionally illiterate individuals in Hampton Roads will be less than the national average (as defined by the Census Bureau) and no single community has a rate higher than the national average.

Goal 1
Strengthen the culture of lifelong learning within Hampton Roads.

Objectives
1.     Increase awareness of literacy issues and the benefits of achieving a literate community
     a. Advertising

     
• Increase ad placement opportunities for literacy promotion
     
• Represent literacy issues in the media and at community group speaking engagements
     
• Provide opportunities, and actively engage in, dissemination of information to literacy providers

     b. Outreach

     
• Reach out to all city mayors, council members and state officials to bring attention to literacy issues
     
• Enhance partnerships between organizations, programs and community groups to strengthen and leverage resources

     c. Advocacy

     
• Actively solicit and encourage the fiscal support for literacy programs, both private and public
     
• Actively support public policy measures that work towards improved literacy achievement

Goal 2
Support and initiate efforts to increase access to literacy resources and programs.

Objectives
1.     Support the professional development of literacy leaders

     
• Strengthen the network of literacy professionals to identify areas where partnership building can leverage resources and improve programming.
     
• Offer training and organizational management assistance to literacy programs.
     
• Enhance program strength and capacity

2.     Expand access to programs that promote the value of book ownership and literacy proficiency

     
• Expand the Reading is Fundamental (RIF) program in the school systems to encourage book ownership and literacy in the primary grades
     
• Enlist the support of the NSU Social Partnership and other University level student programs to expand the volunteer base in literacy programs

3.     Provide access to information and resources for all community members with an interest in literacy

     
• Provide a database for provider searches      
• Distribute Literacy in the Workplace and other guides for building employee qualifications through literacy building programs

4.     Support the levels of funding necessary to achieving the vision

     
• Build an annual fundraising vehicle expressly for literacy programming