Literacy: Spanning the U.S. - Contra Costa Co CA :: Altus OK :: Dallas TX

Literacy:  Spanning the U.S.

Concord man's journey from illiteracy to writing poetry

Contra Costa Times: 11.12.2014 by Janice De Jesus

For the first five decades of his life, Ralph "Ike" Eikanger couldn't read. With the help of Project Second Chance, the Contra Costa County Library's adult literacy program, Eikanger can now not only read and write, he's published a book, "A Journey from Illiteracy toPoetry."

"Project Second Chance is a place you can find yourself," Eikanger wrote in his book. "It is a place that can envelop you in learning. It is a place of letters. Project Second Chance is a place of warm and friendly people. PSC is a place of hope."

Eikanger was in his early 50s when he decided to learn how to read.

"I was working at the Concord Naval Weapons Station for 30 years, so I decided 22 years ago I wanted to read if I want to upgrade my job," said the Concord resident.

So he sought the help of a PSC tutor whom he worked with from 1991-1994. Five years later, he was paired with tutor Helen Beyer who's been his tutor since.  READ MORE !

Literacy Celebrated Learning

Altus Times: 11.11.2014

The Great Plains Literacy Council hosted the annual Literacy Appreciation Luncheon at the Altus Public Library on November 3. The purpose of the luncheon was to thank adult learners, tutors, volunteers, and contributors for their roles in the literacy programs. Autumn centerpieces and scarecrows, provided by the Jackson County Farm Bureau, were used on the tables.

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Then Mrs. Winters began a summary of the yearly successes using large letters to spell out the reason for the literacy celebration. The letters were:

L for learners…There were 121 adult learners (38 males and 83 females) involved in the past year. The largest percentage or 52% of learners were 25-44 years old. Seventy-six percent of the adult learners were Hispanic.

E for excellent GPLC board members, who meet quarterly at the Altus Public Library. These men and women make 100% financial contributions individually to the organization as well as providing their time and other resources.

A for the accounting of funds.

R for results…There were 8 adult learners who became US citizens after study of history and the language knowledge. One adult learner got her driver’s license. As far as academic results, 55% of the community literacy learners had advanced at least one grade level in reading after 80 hours of study compared to the state requirement of 27% increase.  READ MORE !

With help of East Dallas' Aberg Center for Literacy, immigrants move forward with education

Dallas Morning News: 11.14.2014 by Julissa Trevino

There’s a flurry of conversations in Spanish outside the small classrooms in Garrett Hall at St. Matthew’s Cathedral in East Dallas.

But inside the classrooms, there’s a focus on English as students learn basic math skills in preparation for the GED. Others learn the elements of a banking system in a financial literacy class.

More than 120 adult students attend classes at Aberg Center for Literacy, a nonprofit program designed to bridge the gap between basic and advanced literacy and English as a Second Language instruction.

Many of them, like Lorena Flores, 33, are immigrants working toward a better quality of life.

Flores, who emigrated from Mexico nearly 15 years ago, said her lack of English skills was holding her back.

“I was very frustrated because I couldn’t help my kids with their homework,” she said. “I didn’t have anyone to help.”

Though Aberg operates out of St. Matthew’s Cathedral in East Dallas, the organization is not affiliated with the church.

The nonprofit was founded in 2003 as PreGED School, with the intent to provide the next step of literacy education.  READ MORE !