Literacy: Spanning
the U.S.
Manteca Bulletin: 1.16.2015
It’s
tough living life with a secret.
Some people go through their daily routine whether it’s going to work or school while not having the basic literacy skills of reading and writing.
“My experience has been that they were shy or well-behaved as children – they didn’t cause problems and, as a result, were pushed through the school system,” said Dawn Renn.
She’s one of about 45 tutors for the Stockton-San Joaquin County Public Library Adult Literacy Program, according to Suzy Daveluy, librarian in literacy, outreach and programming.
“Dawn is without a doubt a library hero,” Daveluy said.
Since 1985, the Adult Literacy Program has provided 1-on-1 tutoring done by volunteers from the community. Renn, who lives in Lathrop with Gregory, her husband of 29 years, found out about this program via local newsletter.
“It started off as a six-month commitment,” she said.
That was 3 ½ years ago. Renn met with Oswaldo Vera from the SJC Public Library, discussing her goals and objectives with Vera in order to find the right fit with a learner during the interviewing process.
Her selection as volunteer tutor included being fingerprinted, with the library picking up the tab.
For learners, the program is free and requires no fingerprinting but, rather, the courage to acknowledge their reading and writing deficiencies.
“It takes a lot of courage for any person to come out and say that her or she can’t read or write,” said Renn. READ MORE !
Literacy
Council tutoring improves lives
Rowan County Literacy Council, a United Way Agency, provides services free of charge
to adults 16 years and older who need to learn to read better and need help
with life skills on a one-to-one basis. The council also provides opportunities
for speakers of English as a second language to learn English and begin careers
in the United States.
Maria, a former student, had a dream of owning and operating a beauty shop. After living in North Carolina for several years and working at different beauty shops, Maria needed help with English to renew her cosmetology license in North Carolina.
A friend told her about Rowan County Literacy Council, where volunteer tutors work to improve English skills of their students.
Maria visited the Literacy Council Office in the Rowan County Public Library headquarters to ask for help with learning English. A tutor, Helen, was assigned to begin classes with Maria. They met at the Library weekly for one hour and 30 minutes for two years. They worked on pronunciation, vocabulary, comprehension, grammar, and writing until Maria felt she could apply for her cosmetology license renewal. READ MORE !
Wausau Daily Herald: 1.19.2015 - Community Contributor
Aly Catacutan is an intern with the Central Wisconsin Literacy Council
"And so even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream." –Martin Luther King Jr.
Many feel the American dream is out of reach. The dream is for a better, richer and full life, with plenty for everyone. The Central Wisconsin Literacy Council, or CWLC, helps people work on their dreams.
There are many ways to consider the American. For some, the dream may include a house, good job, a healthy family, fancy cars, and lots of vacation time. For others, the dream may be simpler, enjoying the freedom our country offers. The dream may be merely beginning to pursue these ideals. Education is key to all of them, and the ability to read is key to educational success.
Education is needed to secure jobs and wages, and to enjoy all America offers. Most jobs require the basic English literacy skills including reading, speaking, writing, math, and using computers. Without such skills, upward mobility and dream achievement are very difficult.
How can people enjoy such freedom if they cannot read or write? How can someone use these freedoms if they cannot understand our language? About two million people move to the U.S. each year. Half of them arrive with very low literacy skills. Many more people born and raised in the U.S. also lack basic literacy skills. There are people willing to help. READ MORE !
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