Charlie Sowers at T.U.L.I.P.

This week, member spotlight is on Charlie Sowers and T.U.L.I.P.

T.U.L.I.P. stands for Towns Union Literacy Instills Pride. T.U.L.I.P. is a state recognized organization that promotes literacy throughout both Towns and Union Counties. It supports Certified Literacy Community Programs such as Reading for Pre-K Children. T.U.L.I.P. also supports volunteers that tutor at the Adult Learning Centers, the Detention Center, and other literacy programs throughout both counties.

Literacy is a lifestyle! The goal of T.U.L.I.P. is to reduce the number of persons who are not literate. Other goals include supporting all existing literacy providers and serving as the vehicle for service coordination. The aim of T.U.L.I.P. is not to duplicate services or to direct organized programs, but to support literacy activities so that needs can be met in the most efficient manner.

The new century brought many changes to T.U.L.I.P. After the office moved from the Goolsby Center at Young Harris College to the Shirley Miller Building in Blairsville, Georgia, Charlie Sowers became Executive Director (on July 1, 2001). Charlie quickly made connections within the local business community and implemented the first annual Adult Spelling Bee which continues to be a major T.U.L.I.P. fundraiser.

Charlie is more than an Executive Director. He has been a big help in providing conversational English instruction. (Years spent in Korea helped him prepare for this challenge.) Charlie is always on the lookout for new and exciting ways to raise money for literacy programs in Union and Towns Counties. Besides the Adult Spelling Bee, he has organized the first local Blue Jeans for Literacy Campaign and the Tulip Bulbs for Donations program. Charlie says, “We need volunteer tutors! College degrees are not required. If you can read and write, we can find a place to use your talents.”

Charlie Sowers was born and raised in Fannin County where he graduated from Fannin High School. He served four years in the Marine Corps and went on to work in retail management for over thirty years before coming home to the mountains. After several years in retirement, Charlie heard about T.U.L.I.P. and felt sure he could make a significant contribution.

Literacy is a big deal to Charlie Sowers. According to area statistics, 27-30% of the adult population eighteen years old and older in Union and Towns Counties do not have as much as a 9 th grade education. Many of these people are in jobs or situations that are not readily identifiable as needing training. T.U.L.I.P. attempts to identify these individuals and channel them into a program that can assist them in improving their life now and in the future.

T.U.L.I.P. is made possible by the dedicated people who volunteer for tutoring positions. Financial support comes entirely from the annual fundraising programs, area churches, civic groups, businesses, and individuals in the community.

How can people help increase the literacy of Union and Towns County citizens? First and foremost, be an example! Read and encourage others to read. Make time to read to babies, preschoolers, and older children. Encourage parents to read to their own children. When children read out loud, listen to them and offer praise. Give books as gifts whenever appropriate.

Other ways to increase literacy include encouraging relatives and friends to enroll in programs to improve literacy skills, encouraging young adults to continue with higher education, and encouraging every student to stay in school until a high school diploma is earned. Concerned citizens should also participate in the Blue Jean for Literacy Program, the Adult Spelling Bee, and other literacy activities in the area.

Many free adult education opportunities are available at the Lifelong Learning Center including GED instruction, English Language Program and Citizenship Instruction, Health Literacy, and Computer Basics. The Lifelong Learning Center is located at 285 Blalock Street in Blairsville, Georgia, next to the Union County Library. Convenient day and night classes are available. For more information about T.U.L.I.P. please call Charlie Sowers at (706) 781-3944 or (706) 745-5123. For more information about the Lifelong Learning Center call (706) 781-6342.

The Union County Interagency Group is proud to spotlight Charlie Sowers and T.U.L.I.P.