Seeds of Literacy, Cleveland, Ohio

 Mission Statement
	
Seeds of Literacy is an educational ministry initiated by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Cleveland, Ohio.  The focus is to 
help adults in need of assistance in reading, writing and math and to improve their ability to function, compete and 
advance in society in an atmosphere of Christian care and compassion.
	
 Description
The Seeds of Literacy program brings together people of diverse background in order to help break a root cause of 
poverty: illiteracy.  Since 1997, Seeds provides free, one-to0one tutoring for basic education and GED preparation to adults in 
Cuyahoga County.  A unique curriculum and one-ton-one tutoring offer maximum learning by building relationships of trust 
between the student and the tutor.  This approach allows each student  to work at her or his own academic level; 
therefore, students of all academic levels participate in the program.   We offer open enrollment, are open year round, and 
incorporate technology into our curriculum.  

Using the strategies of one-to0one tutoring, a curriculum designed and developed by Seeds, positive student recruitment 
and an expanded course offering, Seeds shows a student retention rate of 69%, more than twice the national average of 
33%.  Likewise, a comparable graduation rate is seen with 7% of Seeds students successfully achieving their GED and 
graduation, in comparison with the national average of 4% among students of adult literacy programs.  During the 2007-2008, GED 
graduates have increased by 28% over the previous year.
	
 Organizational Statement of Faith

Program Type

Education/Employment Program

Denominational Affiliation

Catholic

Organizational Partner

Do you Require Formal Orientation Training?

Yes