25-year game changer: Toyota, NCFL pioneer family literacy initiative

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While Ismael worked 12 hour days to support his family, Lupe joined a new program at her son's elementary school called the Toyota Family Literacy Program in order to learn English. It was a tough decision, going to school instead of getting a job that could provide the money needed to move out of that garage; but Ismael and Lupe knew if she could learn English, she could advocate for their boys with teachers, doctors and in the community. Ismael also enrolled in English classes.

"The Toyota Family Literacy Program gave me the tools to make my life successful," Lupe said. "Beyond English, I learned how to help my sons with their education, gained job skills such as organization and leadership, and put them all together to create a better life for us."

Now, 20 years since participating in the program created by Toyota and the National Center for Families Learning (NCFL), the family owns a home, both parents have full-time employment, and their sons are thriving. Jose, the oldest, graduated from Cal State University, Long Beach and is pursuing a career in the film industry. Diego, is enrolled at Cal State University, Long Beach and is working on a degree in math. Lupe is working on her high school equivalency diploma. She and her husband also recently received their U.S. citizenship.

Long-term partnership

The Maldonados are one of 2 million families who've benefitted from programs created by NCFL and Toyota over the past 25 years. The unique partnership between a corporation and a national non-profit has pioneered a two-generation model of education that simultaneously raises up the parent and the student so that they may, together, forge a path for success.

As part of the celebration of 25 years together, Jim Lentz, chief executive officer, Toyota Motor North America, and Sharon Darling, president and founder of NCFL, toured a family literacy program site in southwest Detroit. They also met with former participants from across the country at NCFL's annual conference, also held in Detroit.

"Toyota's long-term vision, combined with not just financial support, but organizational and technical assistance, has yielded a sustainable model that continues to lead and inspire," Darling said. "Through this model, we can help families take their future into their own hands. It starts with basic literacy, language skills and empowerment."

In 25 years, the model has evolved from an approach that focused on preschool children to one that combats some of the toughest challenges faced across the country, including extreme poverty, gangs, homelessness, blight, and a water crisis. This results-oriented initiative meets families where they are, builds upon family strengths, and engages parents and children in authentic problem solving. Components include Family Service Learning projects, Parent and Child Together (PACT) Time®, parent time and family to family mentoring.

"Toyota sees NCFL and Sharon Darling as innovators," Lentz said. "Twenty-five years ago, Toyota committed to spreading this model across the U.S. in order to plant the seeds of long-term change. By investing in this program, we are helping people gain the literacy and language skills they need to become upwardly mobile and change the trajectory of their lives for generations to come."

Toyota's investment of more than $46 million has led to programs at 286 sites in 56 communities and 31 states since 1991.

Driving results

Twenty-five years later, the partnership is still working. Results of an independent evaluation from Penn State University of participants from the current program (Toyota Family Learning) show 94 percent became a better parent. Additional results include:

• 79 percent improved their English skills
• 47 percent upgraded skills to keep current job
• 40 percent got a better job
• 28 percent obtained the knowledge necessary to pass the U.S. citizenship test
• 29 percent earned a GED certificate or high school equivalency

Darling said the partnership between NCFL and Toyota has revolutionized facets of education in our country, both nationally and locally. "When organizations see the success of the model in their own town they take note and will often restructure how they support families. The results often lead to other grants and funding that sustain the programs."

Darling said $300 million has been leveraged as a result of the Toyota initiative.

Media Contacts
Lisa Avetisian, 502-718-2725
Mike Goss, 859-803-1698
Ashley Brauer, 502-649-3205

SOURCE National Center for Families Learning (NCFL)