The Fannin Literacy Council began approximately six years ago with the introduction of the H.O.P.E. Program (Helping Our People Excel). Since that time, the Council has grown and has gained additional community support. In fact, the Council continues to succeed in its mission of Promoting Lifelong Learning in the Fannin County community.

The Council’s mission continues each week with GED (General Education Development), ABE (Adult Basic Education) and ESL (English as a Second Language) classes offered at the Bonham Housing Authority. Classes offered thru the H.O.P.E. Program are free for anyone in need of services. The H.O.P.E. Program provides one-on-one tutoring, along with computer and paper based instruction, and continues to maintain open enrollment for ages 17 and up.

The H.O.P.E. Program schedule is as follows:
 ESL:   Monday nights from 6 – 9 PM
 GED and ABE: Monday and Thursday 9 AM – 12 PM

THANK YOU FOR YOUR FINANCIAL SUPPORT!
Because of the Fannin Literacy Council’s continued support from the community, the Council has plans to continue its growth with the recent grant award from the Dollar General Literacy Foundation. This grant will allow expansion of its classes into Honey Grove and another community area by the end of 2009. Without the help of all Fannin Literacy Council supporters, this growth, as well as changes the Council has already experienced, would not have been possible.

The Council would like to thank their community sponsors and contributors for their continued support over the past few years:

• The Council offers a huge debt of gratitude to Texoma Council of Governments / Texoma Housing Partners (Bonham Housing Authority) for their continued in-kind donation of classroom space at the HATS Center, 1214 Chinner Street.

• Donors offering financial support include;
o Bonham Rotary Club,
o Bonham Kiwanis,
o Chi Lambda,
o Dollar General Literacy Foundation,
o Statzler Family Trust,
o Texoma Housing Partners,
o Workforce Solutions Texoma Adult Literacy Grant,
o Verne Cooper Foundation,
o Verizon Foundation,
o Wal-Mart, and
o Individual community members.

• Organizations offering referrals and in-kind support include;
o Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA),
o Fannin County Adult Probation,
o Fannin County Children’s Center,
o Fannin County Headstart, and
o Workforce Solutions Texoma.

Anyone interested in learning more or enrolling in the H.O.P.E. Program, please contact Amy Owens, Social Services Coordinator for the Bonham Housing Authority, at 903-583-1264.