Efforts to instill the importance of reading went over the top recently when more than 300 people turned out for a Liberty Adult Education Open House celebrating Adult Education and Family Literacy Week.

The event highlighted adult education and family literacy programs as keys to the success and well-being of those who strive to improve their education and that of their children. More than 650 books donated by Barnes & Noble and Migrant Education were given away.

The audience heard from Liberty Adult Education graduates Nyccol Dupree and Suzanne McWhorter about how much the program has meant to them. A trio of guest readers – Oakley Mayor Pat Anderson, NFL Teacher of the Year and Freedom High School teacher Frank Beede, and Brentwood Citizen of the Year Rick Lemyre – shared favorite stories and poems. The school also received donations totaling $2,300 from the service groups Soroptimist of East Contra Costa County and Comite Civico Patriotico.

“Due to current budget cuts in adult education, we now out of necessity have to charge for Adult Basic Education, GED, and English as a Second Language classes, which we never charged for in the past,” said Liberty Union High School District Coordinator of Adult Education Debbie Norgaard. “These are the programs that emphasize basic skills such as reading, writing and math, prepare adult learners to take GED tests and assist non-native speakers in gaining English proficiency. These dollars will allow students who cannot afford the new fees to receive their necessary education to lead productive and self-sufficient lives.”

Participants at the event also included Migrant Education, Project Second Chance, Brentwood Community Library, Contra Costa Child Care Council, Familias Unidas/Families Forward, A Place of Learning, Contra Costa County Youth Development Services, and Senior Employment Program.