Project
Read celebrates 30 years of adult literacy
SF Gate: 11.29.2013 by Marisa LagosFelicia Tucker and Shruti Swamy come from different worlds: One is a San Francisco native with a learning disability who was homeless for two years; the other is a Vassar College and San Francisco State graduate with a master's degree who writes for a living.
But the two women, only a few years apart in age, have forged a special relationship over the past year and now count the other as an inspiration in their own lives.
They met through the San Francisco Public Library's Project Read program, which next month celebrates its 30th anniversary of helping adults learn how to read. Tucker is one of 4,000 people who have been assisted by tutors like Swamy, who make a yearlong commitment to meet at least once a week with their learner. Each year, the $500,000 program serves 150 to 180 adult learners and runs a book club.
For 24-year-old Tucker, who struggled through high school and her medical assistant program at Everett College, the help has allowed her to dream big: She now has a job at a small medical practice and plans on trying for two state licenses that will help her advance in her career. Last week, after repeated attempts, she finally passed the written test to get her driver's license.
"It's made my life so much better - it gave me the push to believe in myself. I'm able to read street signs and restaurant menus. I feel more confident in my job," she said. "I hope I can inspire people, you just can't give up, no matter how hard it is." READ MORE !
Local Man Wins National Award for Work at Literacy Center
The
Literacy Center staff traveled to Washington D.C. for the United States
Conference on Adult Literacy (USCAL) with their student, Darrell Murray, who
was awarded the Dollar General Student of the Year Award by ProLiteracy and the
partners of the U.S. Conference on Adult Literacy. Murray has been a student of
The Literacy Center since July 2009. Murray has been paired with his volunteer
tutor, Annette Lavallo, since April of 2011. He has accomplished many of his
mini goals and now reads for enjoyment. The award was given on November 1,
2013. READ MORE!
Oswego’s lagging literacy
Oswegonian: 11.21.2013
Literacy is an indispensable skill in today’s society, but for too many adults in the United States, it is a skill that they lack. Studies have shown that millions of adults in this country demonstrated low levels of literacy skills. With reports that 17,000 residents lack reading skills, the Oswego County statistics mirror that of the U.S., but several local organizations are hoping to change this harsh truth.
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The
Literacy Coalition of Oswego County reports that 17,000 adults in Oswego cannot
read above a fifth-grade level. This level is different from the way it is
measured by the LINCS or NAAL, but in comparison, the numbers would still fall
into the NAAL lowest level, Level 1. The Literacy Coalition of Oswego County
also reports that one in every five residents of Oswego cannot read at all. READ MORE !
Reading Connections-Teaches Adults to Read
One
in five Guilford County adults cannot read a children's book; that's about
75,000 people. Another 25% can't read at
a high school level.
It's a major disadvantage for those looking for jobs here in the Triad, but help is out there. Reading Connections is the largest community-based adult literacy program in North Carolina.
Roberta Hawthorne, the student services coordinator for Reading Connections and Jaunita Keel, who is a student in the program joined WFMY News 2's Tracey McCain on the Good Morning Show to talk about their program and the need for more volunteers.
"Last year, more than 800 students were served by Reading Connections," said Hawthorne. "More than 40 people in Guilford County are waiting for a tutor." READ MORE !
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