The Houston Center for Literacy and Mayor Sylvester Turner are honoring the Houston Dynamo and the Houston Dash organization at the annual Mayor's Literacy Leadership Award Breakfast on June 5, 2018 at River Oaks Country Club. The Dynamo, since coming to Houston in 2006, has been one of Major League Soccer’s (MLS) leading franchises, domestically and internationally, having won the MLS Cup back-to-back in the 2006 and 2007 seasons. The Dash began play in 2014, providing a platform for female players to pursue professional sports careers, while affording aspirational motivation to young girls in the Houston area. Over the last 13 years, the club has made a commitment to the community through its charitable endeavors, and has been an active proponent of adult education and ESL for Soccer Academy participants and players, some of whom have taken classes at the Houston Center for Literacy.
Houston Center for Literacy was established in 1984 by the Houston Mayor and City Council to coordinate and advocate for adult literacy efforts, including professional development of instructors, across our community. HCL currently serves as the Mayor's Commission for Adult Literacy and Workforce Skills programming in Houston by supporting more than 75 organizations which offer adult literacy, High School Equivalency (HSE) and English as a Second Language (ESL) services across our region.
The Mayor’s Literacy Leadership Award Breakfast raises vital funds for adult literacy in our community, with the goal of ending the cycle of intergenerational functional illiteracy in Houston, and narrow the education gap to foster a more literate, prepared community, making sure that those from the many diverse communities have the skills to succeed in the most ethnically and culturally diverse community in the country.
“Houston Center for Literacy envisions every individual obtaining the skills necessary to prosper,” Mayor Turner said. “Not only have the Dynamo and Dash been consistent winners on the field, they have done much for the Houston community, and we are pleased to honor them at the Mayor’s Literacy Leadership Award Breakfast.”
The Dynamo organization, through its Dynamo Charities 501(c)(3) Foundation, has used sport and the power of its brand as a catalyst for building a better Houston. Over the years, it has been involved with projects such as “The House That Ching Built”, the Houston Food Bank Challenge, Special Olympics, and Soccer Kicks Cancer, among others. Through the Houston Dynamo Academy, an emphasis has been placed on developing participating elite youth players academically and emotionally, as well as athletically, so that they can succeed on and off the field when they leave the Academy.
“The Houston Dynamo and Dash are so thrilled to be honored with the Mayor’s Literacy Leadership Award. Our teams represent the Houston community in so many ways including that many of our players come here looking for opportunity. That many of our players are working to improve their language skills and integrate into our community makes us proud of the work they put in off the field in addition to the play on the field,” stated David Brady, Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer of the Dynamo and Dash.
“We look forward to honoring the Dynamo and Dash organization, and hope that it is the start of a wonderful partnership to reach those who can benefit from the types of adult literacy programs that are the hallmark of Houston Center for Literacy,” said Leisa Holland Nelson, Board Chair of Houston Center for Literacy.
The 2018 Mayor's Literacy Leadership Award Breakfast is chaired by Stephanie Tsuru. Individual tickets start at $250, and tables start at $2,500. For more information contact Tisha Trevino at tisha.trevino@houliteracy.org or mb2018@houliteracy.org, visit www.houliteracy.org, or register online at give2.houliteracy.org/mb2018.
