Posted on May 23, 2009 @ 12:12 pm by ehuizenga

EPIC Pitch to Literacy Chicago

Barry Benson, Executive Director of Literacy Chicago

The first big “pitch” to Literacy Chicago was Monday night, May 18th, and you could sense the urgency and zeal. The creative team and the Literacy Chicago team were equally excited to be in the room at a5. The concepting phase of any project is always fun, but for Literacy Chicago, great insights were discovered over the last few weeks.

Two concepts were presented: the first focuses on the idea that “Now I belong” to society—and it is a vibrant, rich complex web of connections. The second focuses on the belief that “one story writes many” through a roll-fold that takes us from one student story to the next with real students and quotes.

Both are compelling but different in format and structure. “Belonging” is a key insight for Literacy Chicago because to read is to better understand our world, feel a part of it, and contribute to building family and community. “One story writes many” speaks to the exponential effect of functional education: teach one person, and it will have a lasting impact on their children and the community they live in for generations to come… there is a ripple effect.

Introduction from one of the concepts: “No one shows up at our door because they have to. They come to us because they have something to prove. That they can learn. Help their children with homework. Work. Become self sufficient. And we are here to prove them right.”

Here are a few things that you might have overheard if you were in the room on Monday night:

“These are motivated people that come to Literacy Chicago, you can sense their passion… one woman said that she is the president of her success… what power! This is big.”

“A student described it as ‘being invisible no more.’”

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