Literacy In The News :: Spanning North America
Virtual
adult literacy learning is now available in Tobago, through the Adult
Literacy Tutors Association (Alta).
Even
in crisis there is opportunity. In spite of the hardships caused by the
pandemic, it has hastened the move toward virtual learning in TT. For Alta,
this move has also removed some logistical barriers, making it feasible for
Tobago to access Alta’s literacy programme on the internet through Alta-V.
Alta
was driven to rapidly shape a new way to continue helping our students attain
their literacy goals, which led to the development of Alta-V. Alta-V makes it
possible for adults who have a smartphone or computer with internet access to
participate in Alta’s free literacy classes.
Alta-V
will be delivered by a team of two trained volunteer tutors to groups of 10-12
students using the Zoom platform. As in the physical Alta classroom, we are
committed to providing individual attention and this will be maintained by
using Zoom’s breakout room feature.
Alta welcomes this opportunity to expand its reach to students from Tobago. With the help of technology, we are now positioned to effectively deal with adult literacy on a national level. READ MORE ➤➤
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OCLP News: 9.25.2020
Stella
is all about the public she serves. She has been especially helpful to
her ESL patrons and has more than a few thriving
Conversation groups. She herself, provides all the adult programming at her
branch including multiple bookclubs and a monthly Writer's retreat. Stella was
also instrumental in bringing Genealogy programming to OCPL and offered many of
the programs herself.
Stella's
creativity and sense of innovation, is best described in her efforts to keep
the ESL classes going strong at her branch. Stella recognized the growing need
for ESL in Lake Forest, as well as the need to keep the momentum going with the
existing students. As soon as virtual book groups became available, she had her
ESL classes Zooming away!
When bookclubs had to stop meeting due to COVID, Stella maintained communication with those members for whom the bookclub was the highlight of their month. One member who was so sad to move out of state, has now rejoined the group via Zoom. Simply put, Stella is an empathic, committed professional who is passionate about librarianship. READ MORE ➤➤
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Trib Town: 10.08.2020 by January Rutherford
Read
Jackson County has been promoting literacy in the community
for 33 years, but many people have never even heard of the organization.
With
Executive Director Anne Staley in charge, the nonprofit is making changes and
trying new things to reach a wider audience from newborns to senior citizens.
“We
are small but doing big things,” Staley said.
Read
Jackson County Executive Director Anne Staley leads an Advanced Conversation
English class for students at the Jackson County Learning Center in Seymour.
The nonprofit agency is now located at the learning center and is offering new
programs.
Since
taking the reins in December 2019 after the resignation of former director Matt
Nicholson, after he was elected mayor of Seymour, Staley has been shaking
things up.
She
has updated the agency’s mission, created a new website and logo and recruited
new board members and volunteers. She markets RJC actively through several
social media platforms and is responsible for raising more than $18,000 for
literacy efforts in the community.
But
the most exciting developments are the new programs she has started and those
coming in 2021.
One
of those initiatives is Babies, Books and Blankets, which provides a new
children’s board book and baby blanket to every baby born at Schneck Medical
Center.
Another program is PJ’s and Books, where RJC will be working with Jackson County Court Appointed Special Advocates and the Department of Child Services to provide a new duffel bag, pair of pajamas and age-appropriate book to children who are removed from their home and placed with foster parents.
She
also is getting books into the hands of children and adults by stocking the
Little Free Libraries located throughout Jackson County and by attending
different community events like the End of Summer Escape to distribute free
books.
That’s where Read Rockets, an after-school tutoring program, comes in. Beginning in 2021, trained volunteer tutors will lead small-group instruction to third-graders who are reading 12-18 months below grade level. Sessions will be held twice a week for an hour each at the Boys and Girls Club of Seymour and Girl’s Inc. Children can be recommended to the program by their parents, teacher or staff at the two clubs.
Because the ability to read is important for all age groups, Staley also plans to introduce Inside Literacy next year. The program will place tutors with adults who are incarcerated at the Jackson County Jail for group instruction on basic reading skills. READ MORE ➤➤
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Lockport Journal: 10.10.2020 by Tara Schafer, Ex Dir Literacy New York Buffalo-Niagara
When
Josie came to Literacy Buffalo Niagara,
she was working in the hotel industry. She was good at her job, comfortable
with the company, and eager to apply for a promotion that offered better hours
and better pay. But her lack of reading skills held her back.
@LiteracyBuffalo
Josie
could read enough to get by, but not to thrive. To get the promotion to
supervisor, she would need to be able to read orders, instructions, and
schedules. She lacked the necessary vocabulary, the fluency of reading, and the
confidence to move forward at her job and create a better life for herself and
her family.
After
working with her tutor from Literacy Buffalo Niagara, Josie was able to apply
for the promotion – and she earned it!
Adult
students, like Josie, work with a volunteer tutor in a one-on-one setting. The
two-hour weekly sessions are designed to help improve individual skills in both
reading and speaking English. Those who need help with reading set goals – such
as getting a better job, improving their health, or communicating with their
children’s teachers. Those who need help speaking English set conversation
goals, often work toward their U.S. Citizenship, and sometimes graduate to
become reading students. All our students are working toward building a better
life for themselves and their families. In turn, we believe that strengthens
our community.
There are thousands of people like Josie who live in our community. More than 147,000 people in Erie and Niagara Counties struggle with their basic reading and English skills. It impacts their daily lives. From being able to compare items at the grocery store to understanding instructions from their doctor to applying for jobs and promotions, reading plays a crucial role in not just surviving but in thriving. READ MORE ➤➤
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