Literacy In The News :: Spanning the US
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Nonprofit outpacing state in percentage of students passing test
Melinda
Haines understands that 29% doesn't sound impressive.
That
figure represents the proportion of adult learners who have attended at least
12 hours of The Literacy Alliance's
high school equivalency classes and have attained the HSE diploma since July 1,
the start of the nonprofit's program year.
But
Haines – the organization's chief executive officer – is proud of that 29%,
which outpaces the state's 17% and the region's 24%.
Earning
the diploma is no small feat for the students The Literacy Alliance serves.
“They
all have barriers,” Haines said, explaining that lack of transportation is a
common challenge.
Along
with preparing adults for the HSE test, The Literacy Alliance's free services
include English for speakers of other languages classes and pre-HSE classes for
those needing to improve basic reading, math and language skills.
Now
with locations in Allen, Adams and Wells counties, The Literacy Alliance has helped
more than 15,000 people since 1988, including 2,000 adults who earned their HSE
diplomas.
Students work at their own pace, so some might attend programs as little as a few months to years, said Brian Schlichtenmyer, chief operating officer. One determined man – who faced impairments but had a strong support system – was with The Literacy Alliance for 10 years, he added. READ MORE ➤➤
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Journal Times: 11.28.2020
Nayely
Rodriguez waited four years to take the final step toward making the United
States her official country. While the 29-year-old had prepped for the daunting
citizenship test, she just wasn’t confident enough to take the leap and fill
out the 20-page application. Then, there was the $725 fee that must accompany
it that stopped her.
But
three things moved her beyond hesitation this year: wanting the same status as
her three young children, all U.S. citizens; the approaching expiration of her
resident card; and the looming November presidential election. With
citizenship, Nayely would have the right to vote.
By
the time Nov. 3 appeared on the calendar, Nayely had her citizenship
certificate in hand and could walk into the polling place to exercise her
voting right for the first time.
“I
was super nervous at first,” she says, but added she was immensely proud
afterward. “This is my country now,” she says.
‘Citizenship’
class
Voting is one of the primary motivations for people to seek official citizenship status, says Michael Kania, who has taught the “Citizenship” class at the Racine Literacy Council for 13 years. “People who come to the class just love the United States, and they want to be more a part of it, with the full benefit of voting,” says Kania. “If people knew who these students are and why they want to be here, they would be so fulfilled. They are hardworking taxpayers. READ MORE ➤➤
Troy Record: 11.27.2020
Literacy
Volunteers of Rensselaer County's Board of Directors announced that Literacy
Volunteers of Rensselaer County (LVORC) is expanding its presence and literacy
services in the community by taking over the literacy work of the Albany
office of Literacy New York Greater Capital Region.
Over
the past year, Literacy New York Greater Capital Region (LNYGCR) has faced
significant fiscal challenges. LNYGCR has been serving Albany, Schenectady and
Warren counties for decades. Unfortunately, LNYGCR is not able to sustain
itself going forward and is in the process of dissolving.
“Our
program has worked with Literacy Volunteers of Rensselaer County in the past
and I have been working closely with their director, Judy Smith, for the past
several months to create a seamless transition. I have had nothing but positive
experiences with them, "LNYCCR’s Program Coordinator, Christina Darling said
in a news release. "Personally, I feel very good about this move and
believe it will be a benefit to everyone! LVORC is very involved in the
community and has a number of big events throughout the year.
"They also offer more frequent training programs for volunteers. Additionally, they have a great website with lots of resources for tutors.” READ MORE ➤➤
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Frederick New Post: 11.28.2020 by Mary Grace Keller
A
gift the entire family can enjoy is at the heart of the Literacy
Council of Frederick County’s annual holiday book drive.
For
14 years, the literacy council has held a book collection around the holiday
season to benefit the families its volunteers serve. Approximately 125 tutors
help adults improve their literacy skills. In turn, those adults improve the
lives of their children, said the council’s executive director, Laurie Fisher.
“The
whole goal is to help encourage the family reading and give parents the skills
so they can support their kids,” Fisher said. “Now with the kids at home, it’s
even something that would be more special for them to receive.”
Through its education programs, the nonprofit has served 335 adults over the past year, according to Fisher, 128 of which support 240 children. How many children the book drive benefits depends entirely on donations. Most of those children are in the prekindergarten to fifth-grade age group. READ MORE ➤➤
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