Using that short sentence as inspiration, The Future Is Ours and its literacy partners are hosting Language of Life/Idioma de le Vida on Saturday, Nov. 3, 12-3 p.m. at the East Lake Recreation Center. Language of Life/Idioma de le Vida is a multi-cultural opportunity for faith-based and other literacy and education providers to share their programs with Chattanoogans while exploring both traditional Southern culture and Hispanic culture.
Activities for the day include vendor booths set up by area churches and service providers offering literacy and educational training opportunities; music by both English and Spanish performers; two types of “football” games: American football and European fùtbol or soccer; games and activities with a fall festival theme including pumpkin decorating, piñatas and costume fun; and free food featuring both traditional Southern foods and Hispanic foods.
Improving literacy to help reduce gang activity and violence in Chattanooga is a primary goal of The Future Is Ours and Gang Task Force. Boyd Patterson, Gang Task Force coordinator, said, “Illiteracy is intimately connected with poverty and crime, thus linking it to gang activity. Helping a child improve their literacy doesn’t require a teaching certification or highly specialized training. So, almost anyone can make a significant contribution to our community’s children.”
Language of Life/Idioma de la Vida is a free event open to the public. For more information about The Future Is Ours, visit www.thefutureisours.net.