Literacy – Spanning the US :: Solano Co CA :: Bradford-Wyoming Co WY :: Roanoke VA

Literacy: Spanning the U.S.     

Reading program helps students start a new chapter in their lives

Daily Republic: 3.04.2018 by Bill Hicks

Posters around most any library proclaim, “Reading is Fundamental.”

Usually these posters emphasize the “fun” in fundamental to encourage young readers. -But reading is indeed a fundamental skill and one many adults either lack or struggle with.

The Solano County Library Literacy Program celebrated the accomplishments of students transitioning through the adult literacy program Saturday at the Solano County Events Center.

Literacy program manager Cherelyn Hunt estimated as many as 60,000 adults in Solano County read at or below the fifth-grade level, with another 40,000 likely in need of strengthening their reading skills.

A small number of the program’s students are English-learners but the great majority are native English speakers who fell behind in their early years for various reasons and are taking steps now to get caught up.

Hunt explained improved reading skills can help greatly in general, but they can also help financially, with a recent study showing 100 hours of tutored lessons can lead to as much as $10,000 in annual income gains, she said.

The program is carried out largely through the work of volunteer tutors.

“We come to work every day and we’re so lucky because we have our volunteers and our students doing their work,” Hunt said. “We couldn’t do this without our volunteers.”  READ MORE >>

Bradford-Wyoming Co

Literacy Program

Volunteers needed to help provide lifetimes of literacy

Times Tribune: 3.06.2018 by C J Marshall

For Laurie Anson of Noxen, volunteering to help adults improve their reading just made sense.

In addition to a career helping people as a nurse, Anson also home-schooled her children. So when she heard about the need for volunteers at the Bradford-Wyoming County Literacy Program, she signed up.

“This seemed like a nice fit,” she said.

Anson has provided tutoring to three adult learners. The first, she said, is now attending community college, studying to become a welder.

“You get to know your students very well,” Anson said. “As a tutor, you work with them on a one-on-one basis. And that’s fantastic.”  READ MORE >>

@brliteracy

Local couple is brought together through love and literacy

WSLS: 3.06.2018 by Lezla Gooden

Imagine being an adult and not knowing how to read or write. This was the case just 10 years ago for Alvin Riley. The love of his life, Joyce, gave him a goal to reach before they said "I do."

“She told me I had to write her a love letter,” said Alvin Riley.

Alvin and Joyce agree that having Alvin learn to read and write brought them closer together and changed their relationship for the better.

“He now writes me a lot of cards and special little love notes,” said Joyce. "And I like that and I think that makes a marriage special and it has brought us closer.” 

Alvin was able to show his love through writing due to the help of the nonprofit organization Blue Ridge Literacy. The Rileys attribute Alvin's success to the patience and support from teachers like Stephanie Holladay.  WATCH VIDEO