Preston Burke (at right) has good reason to be smiling. He is a young man who has become “connected” in many ways because of his year-long literacy classes at the Hampton County Literacy Council. He has connected with himself and his new-found capabilities. He has connected with his Mom who has been studying for her G.E.D. right alongside him, and he has connected with his community because he now believes that he can be a productive citizen. All because of learning to read and do simple math. The difference was in belief. When many told Preston over and over again that he “could not read”, the Literacy Council, led by the passionate Hazel Smith (middle), told him that he “could.” And so he did.

The Literacy Council helped 111 clients learn to read in 2004 with two new instructors at sites in Estill and Varnville. With the illiteracy rate at 37.9% in Hampton County, Hazel and her team must prevail. CCF also awarded grants to Hope Cottage, the ACCES Network and the SC Environmental Law Project.