Harrison College, a proud new partner of the
Indianapolis Colts, is taking its sponsorship one step further by
raising awareness for a problem that often does not receive enough
attention, adult illiteracy. In honor of its dedication to
education in Indiana, Harrison College and the Indianapolis Colts
will donate $26 to
Indy Reads for every tackle that Colts player #26, Kelvin Hayden,
makes during the 2010 season.
"I'm proud to be a part of a great challenge that benefits such a worthy cause. I'll be making tackles that will make a difference in someone's life, which is great motivation for this season,"says Kelvin.
This partnership was announced on Tuesday during an Indianapolis Chamber of Commerce "Business After Hours" inside the lobby of the Emmis building on Monument Circle. Tom Zupancic, Sr. Vice President of Sales and Marketing for the Colts. "The number of local adults who are not functionally literate is alarming. This campaign will make a difference in the lives of so many, and we are proud to be a partner with Harrison College. We are determined to beat this problem and are looking for big plays from Kelvin."
Indy Reads, a Central Indiana nonprofit, is dedicated to assisting the more than 100,000 adults in Marion County who are not functionally literate. The non-profit has been working to "make Indianapolis 100% literate" since 1984, tutoring almost 1,000 adults in 2009. For every $1 donated to Indy Reads, an estimated $33 is returned to the community through increased wages and savings.
"On behalf of all our students and volunteer tutors, Indy Reads is so thankful to be a part of this great new partnership with Harrison College and the Colts. It is a real honor to be tackling adult illiteracy with these great supporters of our community, and Kelvin Hayden too! We believe that one of the most effective ways of making Central Indiana a better place to live is to improve the literacy rates of everyone who lives here. Not being able to read and write makes it hard to keep a good job, compromises one's health care and safety, and is a significant barrier to being a good parent. Being able to raise money and awareness with this great partnership will have an immediate impact. We've got over 40 adult students on our waiting list right now who want to learn to read and take control of their lives. Colts fans can really make a difference!" Travis DiNicola, Executive Director of Indy Reads.
"Since Harrison was established more than 100 years ago, we have been dedicated to providing relevant education programs in the communities we serve," said Jason Konesco, Harrison College President. *"Partnering with Indy Reads, the Colts and Kelvin is a natural extension of Harrison's core mission and values. We encourage Central Indiana organizations to join the Tackling Adult Illiteracy team by participating in the Corporate Challenge." *
Harrison College invites Indianapolis organizations to participate in the Tackling Adult Illiteracy Corporate Challenge and match its donation to Indy Reads. For more information about the Tackling Adult Illiteracy Corporate Challenge, visit Harrison.edu/colts.
About Harrison College
Harrison College is an ACICS accredited institution dedicated to excellence in higher learning. In addition, the College is in the process of achieving initial accreditation with the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association (HLC-NCA). With a concentration on career-focused education, the College grants Associate and Bachelor Degrees. Students may earn a degree by attending one of 14 campuses throughout Indiana and Ohio, by taking classes 100% online, or a combination of classroom and online learning. Students may choose degrees from the Schools of Business, Criminal Justice, Health Sciences, Information Technology, and Veterinary Technology as well as the college's culinary division, The Chef's Academy. Harrison College was founded in 1902.
About Indy Reads
Indy Reads is the only organization in Indianapolis accredited by ProLiteracy Worldwide providing free basic literacy tutoring to illiterate and semi-literate adults.Our mission is to improve the literacy skills of adults in Central Indiana who read or write at or below the sixth grade level. Our goal is to "Make Indianapolis 100% Literate."
