Literacy – Spanning the US :: Flat Rock NC :: Golden Gate FL :: Topeka KS

Literacy: Spanning the US

Blue Ridge 

Literacy Council

Children, Adults In Henderson County Struggle With Literacy

Blue Ridge Now: 9.29.2019 by Andrew Mundhenk

Literacy is essential to a life well lived, which is why it’s important to reach those who struggle with the ability to read or write regardless of age.

Blue Ridge Literacy Council is a local nonprofit that serves about 300 native and non-native English speakers across of its programs per year.

The organization helps people reach self-sustaining employment, school success and obtaining citizenship among other needs.

Transportation is always a challenge when it comes to access to literacy, the organization’s Executive Director Autumn Weil said. That’s why the Literacy Council’s tutors meet adult learners anywhere public in the county.

It’s also easier for a non-native English speaker to seek out services because there’s an expectation and no stigma around learning English.

“If you’re a native English speaker, if you grew up in this country, especially if you have a high school diploma, but you know that you’re unable to read and to comprehend what you should be able to based on your peers, there’s much more stigma and it’s hard to overcome the barrier of fear and overcome the barrier of embarrassment to seek out services,” Weil said.  READ MORE >>

@GPNaples

Grace Place In Golden Gate To Branch Out With Family Literacy Model, Curriculum

Naples News: 9.30.2019 by Andrew Atkins

In an effort to spread its wealth of knowledge, Grace Place has secured the intellectual property to its home-grown adult and family literacy program.

Grace Place is preparing to publish the first five books and the curriculum for the Grace Place Family Literacy Model. The model will offer organizations across the world an opportunity to replicate Grace Place’s Bright Beginnings program, which extends learning to both children and their families.

Berenice Garcia went through the program with her daughters, Vanessa and Carla Perez. When she began the Bright Beginnings program on which Grace Place Family Literacy Model is based, she knew little English. Years later, she’s fluent.

“The world opened for me,” she said.  READ MORE >>

Topeka Literacy 

Council

Topeka Literacy Council Helps Adults Improve Reading & Writing Skills

KNST: 9.30.2019 by Reina Garcia

Knowing how to read and write are important skills. But, more than 36 million adults in the United States can’t read, write or do math above a third-grade level.

The Topeka Literacy Council is working to change that. They help adults improve their reading and writing skills by pairing them with trained tutors for free.

They also work those trying to learn English, like Wenny WangCoon.

She moved to the United States from China in 2015.

“I’m so lucky,” said WangCoon. “I love my new life. I love America.”

Learning English is a crucial part of adjusting to life in the U.S.

Through the Topeka Literacy Council, her tutor Rebecca Henry has helped her  do that.  WATCH 02:01