Louisville, KY (NATIONAL CENTER FOR FAMILY LITERACY) -
Fantasia Barrino, Lifetime Television and the
National Center for Family Literacy (NCFL) have partnered to raise awareness about literacy problems, which affect more than 30 million American adults.
I overcame the feeling of not being a confident reader, and then I became the American Idol. Thirty million Americans face similar challenges, whether trying to read a book or complete a job application. To learn about how you can help yourself or help others to improve reading and literacy skills, go to Lifetimetv.com or call the
National Center for Family Literacy at 1-877-FAMLIT1.
This Saturday, the network will debut "The Fantasia Barrino Story: Life is Not a Fairy Tale," which details the many obstacles – including low literacy and being a single mother – the 2004 American Idol star overcame on her way to the top. The movie will air at 9 p.m. Aug. 19, 8 p.m. Aug. 20 and 9 p.m. Aug. 21. (All times are Eastern.)
Barrino will also tout NCFL in a national Public Service Announcement following the movie: "I overcame the feeling of not being a confident reader, and then I became the American Idol. Thirty million Americans face similar challenges, whether trying to read a book or complete a job application. To learn about how you can help yourself or help others to improve reading and literacy skills, go to Lifetimetv.com or call the National Center for Family Literacy at 1-877-FAMLIT1."
At www.lifetimetv.com/movies/originals/fantasia.html, viewers will find resources to help them with literacy problems and be able to connect to www.famlit.org to access resources from NCFL such as how to incorporate reading together into their families' daily habits and how to locate family literacy programs in their community.
"Make the best for you and your children, so when they grow up they can say �I respect my mother and father because they paved the way for me to do the things that I want to do,'" Barrino said in a recent Lifetime interview.
Long-term research verifies that through family literacy programs:
• Adults obtain and keep employment
• A higher percentage of adults achieve GED equivalency
• The amount of literacy activity in the home increases by 80 percent
Additionally, children participating in family literacy programs are rated higher by their teachers than a randomly selected comparison group in terms of overall academic performance, motivation to learn, attendance, and likelihood of future success.
"When real life success stories like Fantasia's are shared, people are often so inspired they clear a path toward accomplishing their own goals," said Sharon Darling, president & founder of NCFL. "NCFL applauds Fantasia and the millions like her who take that first step toward success through family learning and keep going."
For more information, call Marvin Young of NCFL at (502) 584-1133 x173 or Kannie Yu at Lifetime at (310) 556-7582.
