Lawrence County relaunches SOAR+, an adult literacy program with additional focus areas – WBIW

Lawrence County Relaunches SOAR+ Adult Literacy Program with Expanded Focus Areas

Introduction

Grow Lawrence County, the workforce and education division of the Lawrence County Economic Growth Council, has relaunched the Success and Opportunity at Reading Plus Math, Financial and Digital Literacy (SOAR+) program. This initiative aims to address educational attainment gaps and workforce development challenges in Lawrence County. The SOAR+ Open House was held on June 25th, 2025, at the StoneGate Arts & Education Center.

Background and Development of SOAR+

The original Success and Opportunity at Reading (SOAR) program was discontinued during the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite this, the need for adult literacy services in Lawrence County remained critical. In 2024, a group of volunteers convened to address ongoing literacy needs and discovered additional challenges faced by adults in the community, including:

• Basic math skills deficiencies
• Personal financial management difficulties
• Challenges with advanced digital technology

These findings led to the creation of SOAR+, an enhanced program incorporating these additional focus areas. The development process benefited from insights provided by former SOAR member Debbie Beeler.

Program Features and Community Engagement

Cathy Bullington, Adult Education Coordinator for Grow Lawrence County, emphasized the program’s community impact:

“The SOAR+ Open House provided community members an opportunity to view our educational materials, ask questions about our one-on-one confidential and personal tutoring program, or inquire about how they could become a volunteer tutor. It was exciting to see the community come out to support the relaunch. I want to give a huge thank you to our partners and dedicated committee members for giving our community this new pathway to a promising future.”

SOAR+ offers:

1. One-on-one tutoring sessions tailored to individual needs
2. Smaller group events throughout the year
3. Free community workshops such as the upcoming “Tech and Sip” event on June 28th, 2025, designed to teach basic smartphone, tablet, and laptop skills

Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The SOAR+ program directly contributes to several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, including:

• SDG 4: Quality Education – By providing adult literacy, numeracy, financial literacy, and digital skills education, SOAR+ promotes inclusive and equitable quality education and lifelong learning opportunities.
• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth – Enhancing workforce skills supports productive employment and economic growth within Lawrence County.
• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities – The program targets underserved adult populations, helping reduce educational and digital divides.
• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals – Collaboration among community volunteers, educational institutions, and local organizations exemplifies effective partnerships to achieve sustainable development.

Contact Information and Further Involvement

Individuals interested in learning more about SOAR+ or volunteering as tutors can contact Grow Lawrence County at:

• Phone: (812) 275-4493
• Email: cathy@lawrencecountygrowth.com

About the Lawrence County Economic Growth Council

The Lawrence County Economic Growth Council is a nonprofit local economic development organization dedicated to supporting business growth, workforce solutions, and technical assistance in Lawrence County. Its mission promotes investment that improves the quality of life for residents. More information is available at www.lawrencecountygrowth.com.

About Grow Lawrence County

Grow Lawrence County operates under the Lawrence County Economic Growth Council to unite business, education, and community leaders. Its goal is to develop education-to-career pathways that prepare residents for successful careers and provide the skilled labor force needed for regional prosperity. Learn more at www.lawrencecountygrowth.com.

1. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Addressed or Connected

1. SDG 4: Quality Education
   • The article focuses on adult literacy, math skills, financial literacy, and digital literacy, which are core components of inclusive and equitable quality education.
2. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
   • By improving workforce skills and educational attainment, the program supports productive employment and economic growth in Lawrence County.
3. SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
   • The program targets adult learners who lack basic skills, helping to reduce inequalities in education and economic opportunities.
4. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
   • The collaboration between Grow Lawrence County, volunteers, and community partners exemplifies multi-stakeholder partnerships to achieve sustainable development.

2. Specific Targets Under Those SDGs

1. SDG 4: Quality Education
   • Target 4.6: Ensure that all youth and a substantial proportion of adults, both men and women, achieve literacy and numeracy.
   • Target 4.4: Increase the number of youth and adults who have relevant skills, including technical and vocational skills, for employment and entrepreneurship.
2. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
   • Target 8.6: Reduce the proportion of youth not in employment, education or training.
   • Target 8.3: Promote development-oriented policies that support productive activities, decent job creation, and entrepreneurship.
3. SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
   • Target 10.2: Empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race or other factors.
4. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
   • Target 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships.

3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied to Measure Progress

1. Adult Literacy Rates
   • Implied measurement through the number of adults participating in the SOAR+ literacy and tutoring programs.
2. Numeracy and Financial Literacy Skills
   • Progress can be tracked by assessing participants’ improvement in math and financial literacy through program assessments or evaluations.
3. Digital Literacy
   • Indicators could include the number of adults trained in digital skills and their ability to perform basic digital tasks (e.g., using smartphones, tablets, laptops).
4. Workforce Development Metrics
   • Tracking employment or career advancement of program participants after completion.
5. Volunteer Engagement
   • Number of volunteer tutors involved, indicating community partnership and support.

4. Table: SDGs, Targets and Indicators

Source: wbiw.com