 According to the Tennessee Literacy Coalition, 18 million adults in the United States do not read well enough to earn a living wage. In the U.S., 30 million people over age 16 — 14% of the country’s adult population — do not read well enough to understand a newspaper story written at the eighth grade level or to fill out a job application. Low literacy costs the United States $225 billion or more each year in non-productivity in the workforce, crime, and loss of tax revenue due to unemployment. 44 million adults in the United States are unable to even read a simple story to a child. Every day in Jackson, someone is turned away from a job opening due to lack of education and job skills. Local statistics on the undereducated and under-skilled population demonstrate a severe need for resources which can prepare people for employment, thus alleviating poverty. RIFA offers free adult reading classes to help meet those needs. Classes will resume February 27 and will be held Mondays and Wednesdays from noon to 1pm in the RIFA Life Enrichment Center located at 121 College Street across from the West TN Farmer’s Market. RIFA is a local Christian non-profit organization which addresses the needs of the disadvantaged through the RIFA Soup Kitchen, Thrift Store, Food Bank, Snack Backpack program and emergency relief services. Volunteers are needed to work with adult learners. Volunteer tutors work with students two hours each week to improve their reading and basic math skills. Training is provided. Anyone interested in volunteering as a tutor or enrolling in adult reading classes can contact Jenni Thorn at RIFA at 427-7963 or jenni@rifarifa.org Add Comment YADA Sisterhood 01/12/2012
 Join us for the first YADA of 2012. Stella Parton will be in the house sharing a story of hope and strength as shared in her new book, Tell It Sister, Tell It. When: Thursday, January 19th @ 6:30pm Where:Hope Hall Northside UMC What to Wear: Light Blue and White What to do: Bring a Dish, Bring a Friend! Yada Sisterhood is a ministry for all women who desire to increase their faith and deepen their relationship with God. We meet 6:30 pm every third Thursday of each month (excluding June, July, December) at Northside United Methodist Church in Hope Hall. Yada events are free and open to all women. It is not about denomination, background, race, or color. It's about God and it's about women. As "sisters" in Christ, we are committed to linking arms and spurring each other on in our walk with Him through this unique and divinely-given ministry.  Congratulations to Jordan Leigh. Her story was one of the Monthly Winners for the Hearts Afire stories. The criteria for these stories is for staff or a physician to go “above and beyond” their job descriptions in providing service that makes a significant difference in the life of a patient or family. Service includes kindness, compassion, explaining, keeping patients/families informed, etc.  Imagine recuperating from a stroke – along with all the physical and language challenges involved. Now imagine that you are a preacher and feel that you need to be back in the pulpit as soon as humanly possible. That was the dilemma facing Mike, a patient at West Tennessee Rehabilitation Center. Mike had made it through his stroke rehab and was being discharged on a Friday. He fully intended to start preaching again that Sunday. His speech, occupational and physical therapists were all very supportive, but also concerned that he might need to take time to adjust to being at home and living with the after-effects of a stroke. They were concerned that preaching right away might put too much pressure on him. But Mike was determined, and even invited his therapists to his church, which was a little over an hour’s drive from Jackson. For various reasons, Jordan Leigh Young, Speech-Language Pathologist, was the only therapist who was available to go that Sunday. Jordan Leigh really wanted to be there for her patient, to lend words of encouragement and some good, old fashioned moral support. She arrived at the church in time to speak to both Mike and his wife, who were both so grateful to see her and have her support. Jordan Leigh was able to give encouraging words to Mike and express confidence in his ability to deliver a rousing sermon. Then, ever the therapist, Jordan Leigh took a seat in the congregation so that Mike would have to look to his left to see her. Because of the stroke, Mike sometimes forgot that there were things – and people – to his left. With Jordan Leigh sitting to his left, Mike did not neglect that side of his congregation, but looked at them and Jordan Leigh many times. There were a few moments during the sermon when Jordan Leigh held her breath, but in the end, Mike did a good job delivering his sermon. Jordan Leigh gave the support she had come to give, and Mike was given the opportunity to show his former therapist how much he had improved, thanks in part to her efforts. It was an inspiring and uplifting day to Mike, his wife, Jordan Leigh and the whole congregation! Jackson Parade! 12/08/2011
Congratulations to Greg Allison's sons, Riley & Jace, and their Boy Scout Pack 354 from Augustine School for creating the winning first place float in the Jackson Parade! Allison Insurance founder James Allison and his wife Judy enjoyed an evening out at Union University attending the 14th annual scholarship banquet. In the picture from right to left Chris and Suzanne Allison, Rev. Msgr. Thomas D. Kirk , Judy and James Allison, Leann Williams, Cy and Jordan Young.  Best Websites for Cyber Monday Deals! 11/25/2011
 Do you love the deals of Black Friday but hate waiting outside of stores in the wee hours of the morning and the huge crowds of holiday shoppers? Then Cyber Monday was invented for you. The Monday after Thanksgiving is one of the biggest online shopping days of the year. Hundreds of retailers participate in posting deals that range from free shipping to 95% off retail prices. For a full listing of deals visit Cyber Monday . Another great way to be the first to get good online deals is to sign up for email alerts from your favorite stores. While shopping keep in mind online quantities are limited and some companies roll out a new deal every hour so keep an eye on the deals and fill your Christmas list in the comfort of your pajamas! Happy Shopping! Yada Sisterhood November 17 11/07/2011
 Join the Yada Sisters on Thursday, November 17 at 6:30 pm at Northside UMC, to hear Debbie Winans Lowe. This will be the last Yada Meeting of 2011 so you'll definitely want to be there. Grab a friend and bring a dish.....we can't wait to see you there! Free Food! 10/24/2011
 Please join First Bank at the Channing Way location for Customer Appreciation Day this Friday the 28th from 11am to 1pm. They will have hamburgers and hot dogs available as well as a chance to win an Amazon Kindle! Go and learn about Interest Bearing FREE Checking Accounts and other great services! Yada Sisterhood 10/18/2011
 Ben Mandrell and Travis Cottrell will join the Yada Sisterhood on Thursday, October 20, to celebrate Yada's seventh year in ministry! Ben, Pastor at Englewood Baptist Church, has been a guest of Yada before. He is passionate about the Word and is sure to bring a message that will challenge you and encourage your spiritual walk. Travis Cottrell, Worship Leader at Englewood, is also known for his role as serving as Beth Moore's Worship Leader for her Living Proof Series for the past 14 years. Travis is sure to rock the house as we sing praises to our Lord. The colors for October are pink and black. Bring a dish and bring a friend! And come on in on October 20. Remember that Yada offers child-care for children 10 and under. They can also reserve tables for groups of 6 or more. Please call Cindy Campbell to reserve a table for your group (731.616.2332). The STAR Center's KidsFest! 10/10/2011
 This past Saturday thousands of families attended the 11th annual KidsFest. KidsFest is the largest fundraiser of the year for The STAR Center. The Allison Insurance Group was proud to sponsor the train rides at the festival. But that was just the start of the fun! There were various arts and crafts, a pumpkin patch, face painting, inflatable bouncy carnival, entertainers and shows, pony rides, touch-a-truck, Shriner car rides, and a petting zoo. Families and volunteers weren't the only ones in attendance this year. Miss Tennessee, the Disney princesses, Dora the explorer, Scooby Doo, Clifford the Big Red Dog and the Chick-Fil-A cow also came down to enjoy a day filled with fun and photos. | Allison Insurance Staff
We believe the strength and well-being of a community are profoundly affected by the character and actions of its inhabitants. We are proud to be West Tennesseans and truly enjoy contributing to this community. This blog will highlight what we are doing in the community and how you can be involved. ArchivesFebruary 2012 Categories |
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