Literacy:
Spanning the U.S.
 |
Doing
Good: Nonprofit offers literacy programs for adults
AJC: 11.23.2015 by Devika Rao
With
three out every 10 students sitting in a high school classroom not graduating
with a diploma and 1.2 million Georgians over 25 without a high school diploma,
adult education is a major issue for the state.
But Literacy Action, the largest adult
literacy nonprofit in the Southeast, is working to change that. The nonprofit
based in Decatur works every day to build better futures for undereducated
adults by teaching literacy, life, and work skills that empower them to reach
their highest potential.
Founded
in a church basement in downtown Atlanta as a social justice and civil rights
organization, “Literacy Action now teaches reading and math, English,
citizenship, and workforce development to low-literate adults throughout the
region,” said Austin Dickson, executive director of Literacy Action.
Mary May
Moore has seen a significant change in her life since becoming a part of
Literacy Action. “Bobbie [Goldman] and I have been working together since
February 2014,” said Moore. “This organization has changed my life. I can read
now, write, and even sign my name. I am driving and can read the road signs. I
can grocery shop and know what I am buying. My tutor has helped me get to this
point. If I can do this, anyone can do this. I love to learn although it is
hard work. I want to help other people.” READ MORE @
THE
LIBRARY SHELF: You can help spur literacy
Stillwater News Press: 11.24.2015 by Stacy
Delano
I was
just out of my graduate degree when I found out that grandpa couldn’t read.
Grandpa had a series of blue collar jobs throughout his life from being a
milk-man to working in the Mobile Oil refinery to being a church custodian where
he had a massive, work-ending heart attack.
When I
was assisting him with his Social Security case and began asking him questions,
grandpa was finally forced to reveal his secret. It came as a big surprise.
While my grandparents never had extra money, they always managed to get by and
he was able to cover-up his illiteracy with quite a few clever tricks. I don’t
think anyone but my grandma knew.
I lived
pretty far away, so I didn’t feel like I was in a position to try to teach him
to read. Unfortunately, none of the local organizations offered a literacy
program. About five years later, he died, and it was too late. One guilt I’ll
always carry was not making the time to try to help, especially since I am now
a librarian.
When the
Beckstroms were starting their Little Free Library in Ingham Park, Nancy very
eloquently and passionately commented on literacy in explaining why she was
taking the time to do the little library project:
“This is
Stillwater. We should be the most literate town in Oklahoma. There is no reason
for anyone in this town not to have a book. Making sure that everyone can read
is all of our responsibility.”
I like
to think that I am making a difference in literacy through my work at the
library, but the group of people truly taking on this job is the Stillwater Literacy Council. The SLC,
which is housed in, but not run by, the Stillwater
Public Library, teaches adults beginning reading and writing
and teaches English to those who speak another language. But to do this good
work, the SLC has to have volunteers – and lots of them. READ MORE @
Literacy
students celebrate Thanksgiving
Hometown Life: 11.25.2015 by Joanne
Maliszewski
Good food
and conversation build camaraderie and understanding, regardless of the
culture.
“It was
like the United Nations,” said Debbie Cortellini, president of the Plymouth-Canton Community Literacy Council.
With
some 18 cultures represented, a literacy council-sponsored Thanksgiving
celebration at the Canton Public Library was undoubtedly a
winner. “They really loved it,” Cortellini added.
They are
students of the literacy council who are learning to speak English and
understand the American culture. And one of those things is, indeed,
Thanksgiving. “It was, what do you do and why?’” Cortellini said.
But this
celebration involved more than your regular turkey and stuffing.
Instead,
the adult students brought dishes from their native land – a means of showing
who they are and what their culture is about.
And
while they were celebrating the American holiday, the literacy council got an
extra scoop of good cheer when the Canton Community Foundation provided a
$2,000 check – proceeds from the group’s annual golf outing. READ MORE @
Lightkeeper:
John Papurca
Jacksonville Daily News: 11.26.2015
John
Papurca cares about people.
It is a
trait learned at home from his parents and in his life experiences, he said.
Because
he cares about people and is a get ‘er done person, when there is a job to be
done Papurca volunteers without being asked. Papurca’s willingness to help when
and where he can with no fanfare has garnered him nomination as a Lightkeeper
for his volunteer work with Jacksonville Rotary South and the Onslow Literacy Council.
“He does
not know that I am nominating him and would probably be embarrassed to know
that I have put him at the top of the class of our local volunteers, “ said
Linda Freeman of Swansboro in her nomination of Papurca. “It is very much
deserved by him.”
Papurca
was indeed reticent.
“I enjoy
helping other people,” Papurca said. “That’s what we do in Rotary and the
Literacy Council. I help see that some good work gets done.”
Papurca
is a founding member and is now in his second term as president of Onslow
Literacy Council following founding president Jimmie Autry. It was Autry who
got Papurca involved in the Literacy Council.
READ MORE @
Adult learning program at Mattapoisett Library
Sippican Village Soup: 11.27.2015
Adults who need to improve their reading and writing, or to learn more
technical skills, can take advantage of free tutoring at the Mattapoisett Library.
As part of an adult literacy program called A.L.L. (Adults Learn at the
Library), tutors have been trained to provide educational support for English
language learning, basic reading and writing, and preparation for the high
school equivalency exam (now called the HiSet).
The program was funded through a grant from the Phyllis W. McGillicuddy
Charitable Trust, and Deena Kinsky serves as its coordinator. Kinsky meets with
and trains tutors and works with adult learners to understand their learning
goals. Out-of-school youth over the age of 16 are also encouraged to get
assistance at the library with taking the high school equivalency exam. The
program isn't intended to tutor students currently in school. READ MORE @
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