Stronger analytical skills, mental stimulation and better writing skills are just three of the many benefits gained from reading, not to mention that literacy and reading comprehension are essential for college and career success. That said, Latinos face challenges with literacy across the nation; because of these struggles, they miss out on opportunities involving economic security, health care or civic engagement. Instead, they are more likely to struggle with poverty and crime due to this deficit. The Latino Alliance for Literacy Advancement (LALA), formerly known as known as the Latina Alliance for Literacy Advancement, hopes to direct Latinos away from the pitfalls of illiteracy, and guide them toward employability and wellness.

The Department of Justice has documented that "the link between academic failure and delinquency, violence, and crime is welded to reading failure." Statistic confirm this: 85 percent of juveniles who come in contact with the juvenile court system are functionally illiterate, and more than 70 percent of inmates in America's prisons cannot read above a fourth grade level. Novelist Alisa Valdés, Executive Director & Founder of LALA, correctly asserted that "low literacy makes people more likely to be poor, sick, drug addicted, alcoholic, criminal, homeless — you name the social ill, literacy is the cure."

Adult literacy is key, because not only does it decrease the likelihood that young people will become familiar with the prison system, but "literacy skills are fundamental to informed decision-making, personal empowerment, active and passive participation in local and global social community," she says. Literacy also benefits empowerment, gender equality, self-esteem, creativity, political awareness, critical reflection, and community action.

"At first, I was concerned about the low numbers of Latino authors being published in the United States," said Valdés. "In researching the situation, I realized that the lack of publishing support for Latino authors is directly related to our lack of readers; it's not that publishing is out to get us, but rather that our communities aren't placing a high value on literacy."

"As it stands, a Latina in the United States is 14 times more likely to become a teen mom and 4 times as likely to commit suicide as she is to be a proficient prose reader. This is unacceptable, and I'm doing what I can to change it. I encourage anyone with the means to do so, to please donate to help us launch our program in 2015," Valdés continued.

LALA takes its inspiration from the award-winning "Yo Sí Puedo" adult literacy program, which has taught millions to read in more than 30 nations. The "Yo Sí Puedo" initiative was launched in 2001 to aid Cuban educators who were sent to Haiti to teach literacy and numeracy to impoverished adults. LALA intends to offer the same skills in highly flexible and culturally appropriate settings, leading to economic, emotional, social and psychological progression. LALA also looks to nourish its constituents.

"Part of LALA is that we will have gourmet Latino food trucks at the literacy classes for adult women. So, in our case we are going to us food to bring people to reading," Valdés told Latin Post.

New Mexico's Latino community will be attracted to bilingual programming with on-site, nutritionally rich, culturally appropriate meals; childcare and homework help for children of adult students; safe transportation to and from class; and nonperishable food boxes to take home after the class.

The nonpartisan literacy organization will be looking to hire a core staff of employees by the end of 2014 to feed the needs of the community. Those positions include chief executive officer, class facilitators, literary festival coordinator, chef, child care workers, and many others.

Some of the notable individuals involved with LALA, aside from "Dirty Girls Social Club" author Alisa Valdez, include "Breaking Bad" star Steven Michael Quezada, literacy champion Irene Vilar, author Lorraine Ladish, and radio personality Mario Solis-Marich.

Check out LALA's Facebook and Twitter pages to learn more about the organization.

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