The Fannin Literacy Council had the privilege of hosting a guest at the recent Board meeting held on March 15. The guest was invited so that more community members could be educated on the mission of the Fannin Literacy Council and the H.O.P.E. Program classes that are offered free to the community. The guest in attendance was Ruth Ann Thomas, City Council Member for Bonham.
Council members informed the guest of the mission to promote life-long learning, offered a brief description of the Fannin Literacy Council, as well as information regarding the H.O.P.E. Program (Helping Our People Excel) that is offered at the Bonham Housing Authority each week. The GED (General Education Development), ABE (Adult Basic Education) and ESL (English as a Second Language) classes offered thru the H.O.P.E. Program are FREE for any Fannin County resident.
The H.O.P.E. Program provides one-on-one tutoring, along with computer and paper- based instruction to improve reading levels, sharpen math skills, or study for a G.E.D. Diploma or a college entrance exam. Enrollment is available for Fannin County residents ages 17 and up. The H.O.P.E. Program has two sites, including Bonham and Honey Grove. The H.O.P.E. Program schedule for the Bonham site (806 W. 16th St.) is:
ESL: Tuesday: 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
GED and ABE: Monday: 9:00 am – Noon and 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Thursday: 9:00 am – Noon and 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
The H.O.P.E. Program schedule for the Honey Grove site (201 W. Market St.) is:
GED and ABE: Monday: 9:00 am – Noon
Tuesday: 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
The Fannin Literacy Council has also experienced a leadership change in 2012. Past Board President, Allison Minton, has turned over her duties to Marsha Lindsey, Director of Operations for Workforce Solutions Texoma. Vice President Jodi Hunt, Fannin County Headstart, Treasurer Gail Young, Fannin County Tax Assessor-Collector, and Secretary Julie Craig, Workforce Solutions Texoma, will continue to serve in their respective roles. The Council would like to thank Allison Minton for serving as President in 2011 along with her continued support of the program.
Anyone interested in learning more or enrolling in the H.O.P.E. Program, please contact Lou Ann Taylor, Social Services Coordinator for the Bonham Housing Authority, at 903-583-1264.
Lastly, the Fannin Literacy Council would like to thank Ms. Thomas for offering her interest in continuing adult education throughout Fannin County.