Literacy:
Spanning the U.S.
Manton woman learning to
read after turning 50
Cadillac News: 9.08.2015 by Rick Charmoli
Today marks the start of
another school year for students across the area after a much needed summer
break.
Nila Hannah also is
returning to school. For Hannah, however, the break she had was longer than a
few months. It was decades.
Hannah knows all about
the frustrations of not being able to read. While there are some who try to
hide the fact, the Manton resident is not afraid to let people know she can't
read. Two years ago, she decided to do something about it.
That is when Hannah was
connected with the Adult Literacy Council of the Cadillac
Area. When the 53-year-old was younger, she was diagnosed with a learning
disability. For the majority of her schooling, she was placed in special
education classes. It was always a source of anxiety for her.
Two years ago, her
journey to literacy began, and now that anxiety has eased as she has become
more comfortable reading, writing and sounding out new words. She still has
work to do, but she is excited about the challenge.
“I did not think I would
get this far,” she said. "I'm learning about different countries. That is
fun. I read the children's dictionary, but I'm not to the point where I can
read books.” READ MORE !
Calaveras County Library
celebrates 20 years
Calaveras Enterprise: 9.08.2015 by Travis
Taborek
The Calaveras County Library will celebrate
its 20th anniversary in its current location on Sept. 19.
Mark Twain, the
erstwhile visitor to Calaveras County who once said that those who do not read
good books are no better off than those who cannot read at all, would be
gratified to know that the library continues to exist as a bastion of
literature, knowledge and life-changing resources largely thanks to community
support.
The celebration will
take place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Calaveras County Main Library, 1299
Gold Hunter Road, San Andreas. It is a free, all-ages event that will feature
activities such as arts and crafts, a hula-hoop contest, storytelling and a
ukulele jam. The event will also feature a book sale.
The celebration also
has a serious side. Organizers hope to raise awareness of the library and the
various and sundry services it provides in order to secure the donations that
keep the library afloat.
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Among other things, the
library is home to the adult literacy program that in the last 20 years has
served approximately 11,000 people, according to Pat Ross, the program’s
coordinating manager.
Ross said that about
one out of five of adults in Calaveras County has limited literacy.
The literacy effort
that assist adults in reading comprehension and writing skills is just one of
several related programs. The library also offers two literacy programs serving
people who are either currently detained in jail or on parole. Ross also
oversees programs which focus on basic computer skills and managing household
finances. The majority of County residents in these programs are between the
ages of 21 and 32, she said. READ
MORE !
UCC offers adult
literacy program
Northern Light: 8.09.2015 by Ian Ferguson
After more than a year
of working to organize an adult literacy program for Blaine, volunteers are
offering free, one-on-one tutoring services to adults who wish to improve their
reading and writing.
Tutors in the Adult
Literacy Program (ALP) are trained to teach basic reading and writing skills
and GED test preparation. Another program, English Language Learner (ELL),
offers tutoring for adults learning English reading, writing, listening and
speaking skills as well as GED preparation.
Tutoring is customized
and confidential. Learners meet with their volunteer tutor two times per week
at a public location and at a time that fits the learner’s schedule. Anyone
interested in becoming a learner can contact ALP coordinator Dan Ruiz at
360/752-8681.
The push to bring an
adult literacy program to Blaine was spearheaded by members of the Blaine United Church of Christ (UCC), who
were inspired by a nationwide initiative from the UCC to encourage literacy as
a justice issue. In 2014, local church members invited Katherine Freimund,
executive director of the Whatcom Literacy
Council (WLC), to speak to members of the congregation about
the need for literacy tutors in the Blaine and Birch Bay community.
Most Whatcom County
tutors are centered in Bellingham, and there is demand for tutors in the rest
of the county. According to the WLC, one in six Whatcom County residents are
functionally illiterate. READ MORE !
Lee County Literacy Coalition celebrates 25 years of service
to community
OANow.com: 9.09.2015
Longtime literacy
advocate Bill Walsh received special honors on International Literacy Day
Tuesday, when the Lee County
Literacy Coalition celebrated 25 years of service to the
community, working toward a goal of 100 percent literacy in Lee County.
Program participants
and supporters gathered with local leaders at the East Alabama Medical Center
Health Resource Center to reflect on the milestones that have been achieved
since the program began in the county.
In making the surprise
presentation to Walsh, Auburn Public Library Director Chris Warren discussed
Walsh’s support and advocacy in the Literacy Coalition. Walsh has served in a
number of leadership roles, and currently serves as secretary of the organization’s
board of directors.
Established in 1990,
the Lee County Literacy Coalition has been supported by the United Way of Lee
County since Day One, according to Tom Brawner, one of the co-founders of the
local agency.
He recounted how in
1990, then-first lady Barbara Bush led a push for literacy nationwide, and as
local residents emerged who wanted to improve their reading and writing skills,
volunteer tutors “came out of the woodwork.”
READ MORE !
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