General Information
The Shelter
According to an article by wbur.org, by Benjamin Swasey named Boston Opens Expanded Southampton Street Homeless Shelter, back in 2015 it was discussed how "a renovated former transportation building located at 112 Southampton St., now can offer more than 400 emergency beds nightly." This was back in 2015 and since then they have managed to greatly improved the community surrounding the shelter. According to the office of the former mayor, Martin J. Walsh on the article Boston Opens Expanded Southampton Street Homeless Shelter, the shelter as a whole opened in early 2015 and since has greatly expanded "The site first opened, rapidly with 100 beds in January, and added 150 more in April."
Literacy has become a rising issue in the United States, and low literate and illiterate adults are faced with growing issues. As a lack of literacy persists in young children, it continues into adulthood without help. According to the Adult Literacy Facts Sheet, "More than 36 million adults in the United States cannot read, write, or do basic math above a third grade level."
These adults aren't just struggling with literacy, though. The harmful spiral of illiteracy is shown through a lack of education needed for employment, safety, and more. This is displayed in the Adult Literacy Facts Sheet, stating, "43% of adults with the lowest literacy levels live in poverty."
The Healing Power of Reading by Michelle Kuo
Michelle Kuo speaks in this Ted Talk with Ted x Taipei about the spirit and excitement she brought to her student, Patrick, through literacy. This is the same energy we hope to bring to our learning environment in the Southampton Street Shelter.