WISH LIST $100: instructional materials and IT support for 1 month of classes for 1 student; $500: 1 year of seminars and workshops for graduates; $1500: comprehensive services for 1 student for 1 year (includes career counseling, IT, and student services)

The literacy statistics in Washington, DC are staggering. Approximately one in five adults has less than a high school education, and more than one in three functions below the most basic literacy level. These numbers affect us all: there is a direct correlation between low literacy and poverty; and parents who have not completed high school are much more likely to have children who drop out of school themselves. At Academy of Hope, they know that knowledge is power, so Adult Basic Education is where it begins: students gain real world skills in math, reading, and writing. Some students study for their GED, while others pursue a rigorous External Diploma Program that offers credit for life experiences. Basic computer classes are a must, and career counseling helps graduates create resumés, identify further educational opportunities, and complete financial aid applications. Advanced students work on a personalized plan to help them transition toward college or a career. At its new home in Ward 5, the Academy brings real hope to this generation - and also to the one that follows.

Lecester Johnson, Executive Director 601 Edgewood Street NE, Suite 25 Washington, DC 20017 202.269.6623 ext 111 www.aohdc.org