Literacy Spanning the U.S. - Redding CA, Lansing MI, Stillwater OK, Bluffton SC

Literacy Spanning the U.S.

Redding Library offers literacy programs to help adults better navigate their world

Redding Record Searchlight: 11. 16.2013 by Carrie Schmeck


Imagine a world without words, a nightstand minus a novel, a day devoid of texting or a morning without news headlines. For most of us, words serve a need for knowledge and entertainment.  Curious? Look it up. Bored? Read.

Sadly, reading for pleasure is a luxury to which many don’t or can’t participate. For whatever reasons, 30 million American adults cannot read better than an average third grader. And this doesn’t just create barriers to entertainment. It creates barriers to life.


And it doesn’t just affect those who can’t read. It affects us all.


A Portland State University study estimated more than 40 percent of Shasta and Tehama residents struggle with literacy. This doesn’t mean they can’t read “cat” and “bat.” This means they are struggling to achieve job goals, make sound consumer decisions, escape from poverty and keep their children from repeating the cycle.  READ MORE !

Reading is a vital skill for life success
Lansing State Journal: 11.16.2013 by John Muenzer, Chair of the board of Capital Area Literacy Coalition

What do we in the tri-county area have in common with each other? Answer: The latest data indicate that, in multiple school districts in the tri-county area, the 2011 graduation rate hovered around 50 percent. Only one out of two students received a diploma. There were nearly 700 dropouts in 2010.

Many of these dropouts may remain illiterate for the rest of their lives. Worse, they may build families in which literacy is not valued; making illiteracy exponential. Please note that family income level is not the greatest predictor of a child’s literacy and success in school. The greatest predictor of a child’s literacy level is the parents’ literacy levels.

Literacy is not limited by economics, race, age, or background. It is true that many in poverty struggle with reading. However, it could well be the case that your neighbor, co-worker, or good friend could be illiterate. It is so hard to tell because literacy is so anonymous. Most adults have developed ways to hide their poor reading skills. “I don’t have time to fill this form out right now, I’ll bring it back tomorrow,” “I forgot my glasses,” or “Do your own work, I’m not going to do it for you” are some of the techniques to disguise their situation. READ MORE !
 

Stillwater Literacy Council helps clients improve language skills

Stillwater NewsPress: 11.16.2013 by Mark Rountree


Candelaria Ojeda, a native of Guanajuato, Mexico, moved to the United States 17 years ago.
Several moves around the U.S. led the 39-year-old Spanish speaking mother to Stillwater three months ago.

“It’s difficult to speak to people,” Ojeda said.

Ojeda, who is employed at a Stillwater restaurant, said improving her language skills will expand her employment opportunities.

Executive Director Arlene Devers said students get involved in the program for many reasons. Some want to improve their reading level to advance in their job. Others might want to be a better reader so that they can read to their grandchildren. She said many international students feel isolated in Stillwater because of the difficulty in communication, and the program helps to build their language skills. READ MORE !

Literacy of Volunteers of the Lowcountry top volunteer shows value of those who help

Island Packet: 11.18.2013 by David Lauderdal

Thanks to volunteer Joe Distelheim for sharing the story of Literacy Volunteers of the Lowcountry's volunteer of the year, Vivian Burt. Beaufort County volunteers teach English and reading. They teach kids and adults and seniors. They help older folks get to their doctors and help people who can't afford doctors get medical care anyway. They help in thrift stores and food pantries, in clubs that keep children safe and old people secure. They give their time to the arts and to military families, through service clubs and churches and the United Way. Our little piece of the world is the most volunteer-intensive place most of us have ever experienced. Vivian Burt, a transplant from New Jersey, is a good example. Her story is typical: Some 10 years ago, she was exposed to a need and to an organized effort to meet that need, got involved gradually, then found ways to make a larger contribution. But, her accomplishments have been unusually praiseworthy -- she recently was named Volunteer of the Year by the Literacy Volunteers of the Lowcountry.

Literacy Volunteers provides some numbers that demonstrate how valuable volunteer time and effort can be.Literacy Volunteers has more than 200 volunteers, including tutors and support people such as Volunteer of the Year Vivian Burt. Together, they contribute more than 20,000 hours annually -- teaching time, preparation, training, travel.  READ MORE !