The 2014 Mayor's Literacy Leadership Award Breakfast was held Thursday, May 8, at the River Oaks Country Club and UHD guests included President Bill Flores; Dr. Noel Bezette-Flores, director of the UHD Center for Public Service and Family Strengths; Dr. Leigh Van Horn, urban education professor and Houston Center for Literacy board member; Paulette Purdy, director of the College of Public Service Administration and Operations; and Dr. Viola Garcia, chair of the Department of Urban Education.

Van Horn was commissioned by Mayor Annise Parker last May and will serve for two years on the Board of Directors. On the board, she will work with the Houston Center for Literacy on projects designed to build a more literate and prepared citizenry.

According to Van Horn, one in five citizens of Harris County is functionally illiterate.

"I am pleased to have this opportunity to work with others in Houston who are passionate about literacy. We are working to centralize and integrate projects across the city in meaningful ways. My position as a faculty member at UHD, and a volunteer providing Family Literacy Events at the House of Tiny Treasures helps me contribute to the discussion," Van Horn said.

The Mayor's Literacy Leadership Award Breakfast brings together many of Houston Center for Literacy's friends-donors, volunteers, legislators, and learners alike-and raises awareness for the need to build a more literate Houston. Funds raised by the Breakfast help Houston Center for Literacy fulfill its mission to build a literate, prepared workforce by supporting literacy organizations and programs, engaging the entire community to join us in solving our city's low-literacy problem, and connecting learners with the education they need to be prepared for the future.

Houston Center for Literacy President Sheri Foreman Elder mentioned her excitement regarding the Center's collaboration with UHD and the Center for Public Service and Family Strengths on The Big Read and other major literacy initiatives.