Literacy – Spanning the US :: Leon Co FL :: Norristown PA :: Flint MI :: Kokomo IN

Literacy: Spanning the U.S.     

@LiteracyLeon

Tutoring emphasized through Leon County’s literacy center

Famuan: 1.13.2018 by Kaiyah Clarke

Since its founding in 1980, the Family Literacy Center located in the Dr. B.L. Perry Jr. Branch Library on South Adams Street continues to give support to the Leon County community.

The Family Literacy Center motivates K-12, GED, and English as a second language students with the support of tutors and additional resources that includes computers and study rooms.

Volunteers can sign up to become a tutor with the director of the program Alden Field. Becoming a tutor is not only a volunteer opportunity, but it supports the many students that are on a waiting list in need for a tutor.

Field has been coordinating the literacy program for ten years and said that it has brought him a consistent amount of happiness.

“I have been coordinating this program for ten years now and it has been a constant source of joy for me to witness the generosity of our volunteers and the perseverance of our students as they learn and grow together,” Field said.

The literacy center began with twenty students, but needs to make room for double the number of students. This is where contributions in the form of monetary donations are welcomed. Monetary donations would go towards advertisement and physical expansion of the center.  READ MORE >>

Literacy Council

Norristown

Secret’s out — Norristown Literacy Council opens doors of opportunity

Times Herald: 1.13.2018 by Katie Kohler

There are different types of best-kept secrets.

Some are things to be proud of. Long-standing mom-and-pop-shops. A block filled with well-maintained homes.

There are others that are secrets in a different sense.

The Norristown Literacy Council experiences both types.

Executive Director Theresa Oliver calls the organization the best-kept secret in Norristown but insists they are not hiding.

“Adult education is not sexy. It’s hard to get donors. The work requires partnerships between the students, the tutors and a long time buy-in,” commented Oliver.

The Literacy Council of Norristown provides instruction in adult basic education, English for speakers of other languages, and GED to adult learners in the community via classes and volunteer tutors. The small nonprofit works exclusively with adult learners who come from diverse backgrounds (some have earned doctorate degrees in their home country).  READ MORE >>

@berstonfriends

Berston opens Success Center to tackle literacy problems

M Live: 1.13.2018 by Karen Retzloff

Berston will open its doors to a new program that's goal is to support the community.

The Friends of Berston will dedicate the Herb L. Washington, Donald Wesley, Jessie E Johnson Success Center on Wednesday, Jan. 17 at 2 p.m.

With the support of a number of donors, Friends of Berston built a classroom to house a literacy program in the Berston Field House.

The Success Center was developed in response to the Flint Master Plan's finding that there are low literacy rates among Flint's working-aged adult residents; 36 percent of working adults were found to be functionally illiterate. The Master Plan further emphasized that low literacy rates among working-aged adults may be a deterrent in attracting new businesses to the City of Flint.

Berston Field House has served as a recreation and community center within Flint for over 90 years, so Friends of Berston believe that Berston Field House will offer a special level of comfort and security to those in need of literacy training.   READ MORE  >>

@LitCoKokomo

Literacy Coalition takes new approach in 2018

Nonprofit implements 13-week semesters, different ways of assessing tutors, students

Kokomo Perspective: 1.15.2018 by Alyx Arnett

With the New Year underway, Literacy Coalition is taking a new approach to its programs in the hopes of making more of an impact on both students and tutors.

The nonprofit previously always has had open enrollment where those needing literacy assistance could come in, enroll, and begin immediately. Beginning in February, 13-week semesters will replace that system.

According to Director Bob Stephenson, this system will give them a better way to measure success for the students, as pre- and post-tests now will be a part of the curriculum. For tutors, they only are asked to commit for 13 weeks, rather than a year.

“We are excited to try this new system and see how it works,” he said. “If you’ve ever thought that you might enjoy tutoring someone, it is a great opportunity to give it a test drive. If you know of adults who need to improve their literacy skills, get their HSE/GED diploma, or improve their English-speaking ability, tell them about our program,” he said.

While the classes are set up differently now in terms of timeframe, the majority of the programs still will be the one-on-one tutoring structure with which the nonprofit has found success. Stephenson said the population Literacy Coalition serves is one that typically has not benefited from the traditional class structure but makes progress with the individualized help.

In addition, new students will be required to go through a probation period where they’re asked to come into the office regularly for a period of time to prove they’re committed to the program, responsible, and able to keep appointments.  READ MORE >>