Literacy ▬ Spanning the US :: Huntington Beach CA :: Albuquerque NM :: Santa Fe NM :: Williamsburg VA

Literacy In The News :: Spanning the US

HBPL Literacy Volunteers

National Library Workers Day
Literacy Volunteers HBPL: 4.06.2021

April 6, 2021, is National Library Workers Day (NLWD), a time to recognize library professionals for their expertise and leadership skills in transforming lives and communities through education and lifelong learning. The day also reminds the public that library workers serve as community compasses that lead users to endless opportunities for engagement, enrichment, and development

For #NationalLibraryWorkersDay, we're highlighting the incredible humans who work at Huntington Beach Public Library. This post features one of our librarians, Amy Crepeau!

When I was a child, some of my favorite books involved libraries and librarians and I think that is where my interest began. I remember reading All of a Kind Family and how important library books were to the sisters and the chapter when Sarah lost her library book--the librarian was so compassionate. There were so many examples like this and some, unfortunately, where librarians were the opposite of compassionate but people telling how important libraries were to them inspired me. Beyond that, I love libraries! Programs, storytimes, books, computers, literacy, study space, free to use, people from infants to seniors coming through our doors everday…sign me up! In 2009, I finally decided to go to graduate school to earn my MLIS and the feeling of accomplishment I had in May 2016 when I walked across that virtual stage was far more than earning either my high school or college diplomas.

I have worked at HBPL since April 15, 1997.

I have worked in literacy until March 2021 and the best part was working with amazing learners and volunteers from Huntington Beach and seeing people accomplish important things like reading with their children, getting a better job, passing the driver’s test or becoming U.S. Citizens. It was constantly inspiring and people were so grateful to the library.    READ MORE ➤➤

 

Automatic Readability Checker

Based on 7 readability formulas:

Grade Level: 13

Reading Level: difficult to read.

Reader's Age: 18-19 yrs. old

(college level entry)

 

Albuquerque Adult
 Learning Center

A Determined Mom Illustrates The Possible
Albuquerque Journal:  5.15.2021 by Rick Nathanson

Ashley Solano admits, “I wasn’t the best student.”

She had difficulty reading and writing and “felt stupid and not teachable,” she said.

At age 16, and barely into her sophomore year of high school, she gave up, dropped out and began working minimum wage jobs at fast food restaurants.

“It was not stimulating work, it was just a way of getting a paycheck,” she said. “I was breathing but not really living, and I was trying to fit into a world that didn’t make sense to me. I had all these friends who were going to college and doing stuff with their lives, and I was just trying to survive.”

Two decades later, Solano, 36, has a number of degrees, continues to go to school, works for a bank as a bilingual customer representative and is on track to become a certified public accountant. She attributes her ability to elevate her literacy skills to an adult education program that helped her get her high school equivalency certification and showed her that she could do so much more.

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In 2016, she accompanied a friend to the Albuquerque Adult Learning Center for a presentation about earning a high school equivalency certificate. She immediately realized this was the path she had to pursue.  READ MORE ➤➤

 

Automatic Readability Checker

Based on 7 readability formulas:

Grade Level: 10

Reading Level: fairly difficult to read.

Reader's Age: 14-15 yrs. old

(Ninth to Tenth graders)

 

@NMAdultLiteracy

Longtime NM Literacy Coalition Loses Funding
Albuquerque Journal: 5.16.2021 by Dan McKay

For decades, the New Mexico Coalition for Literacy delivered funding throughout the state to help adults learn to read.

But its operations largely ground to a halt last fall.

The coalition lost state funding in 2020 as the state Higher Education Department shifted to a new strategy – awarding grants directly to adult literacy programs throughout New Mexico, rather than hiring the coalition to manage the system and distribute the money.

The change, state officials say, was intended to establish a more equitable, transparent system of funding.

But it had a devastating impact on the Coalition for Literacy, which laid off the few staff members it had. The group closed its office space and now survives on volunteer support.

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Founded in 1987, the coalition has been a key statewide voice in New Mexico’s push to improve adult literacy – a critical challenge in one of the poorest states in the nation. For years, it had a contract to manage and support a network of adult-literacy providers throughout the state.  READ MORE ➤➤

 

Automatic Readability Checker

Based on 7 readability formulas:

Grade Level: 12

Reading Level: difficult to read.

Reader's Age: 17-18 yrs. old

(Twelfth graders)

 

@Literacy_4_Life

From Teaching A New Language To Skill-Based Training, One Williamsburg Organization Offers New Opportunities To Thousands
Virginia Gazette: 5.17.2021 by Em Holter

When Olga Ramirez arrived in Williamsburg nearly five years ago, she did not speak much English. The native Spanish speaker had spent most of her life living and working in Colombia.

So, when she arrived in the States, she set out to learn.

When a friend told her about an organization that offered a variety of courses teaching non-native English speakers everything from language to history to job certification and resume building at no cost, she signed up.

Now, Ramirez is a newly naturalized U.S. citizen, fluent in her second language and working as a phlebotomist and a certified nurse’s assistant. Without the help of Literacy for Life, she said she would not be where she’s at now.

“I’ve tried many programs to learn English, but it’s not the same,” Ramirez said. “They have made my life here in the United States.”

Literacy for Life, a nonprofit organization, aimed at helping non-native and native English speakers alike, has offered various classes, courses and tutoring opportunities for nearly 50 years.  READ MORE ➤➤

 

Automatic Readability Checker

Based on 7 readability formulas:

Grade Level: 9

Reading Level: standard / average.

Reader's Age: 13-15 yrs. old

(Eighth and Ninth graders)

Literacy ▬ Spanning the US :: Modesto CA :: Lubbock TX :: Charleston SC :: San Angelo TX

Literacy In The News :: Spanning the US

LearningQuestSLC

Eight Tenacious Students Win Awards At Literacy Network of Stanislaus
Modesto Bee: 4.18.2021 by John Holland

Eight adult students and two educators were honored with the 22nd annual awards from the Literacy Network of Stanislaus County. The [sic] were presented March 19 via Zoom.

The organizers provided these details on the honorees:

Alondra Ibarra-Torres and Sandra Rodriguez, both students at Modesto Junior College, were winners in the English as a Second Language category.

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Abdul Darwe and Otoniel (Tony) Muñoz were honored in the Literacy category. Both are students at LearningQuest/Stanislaus Literacy Centers.

Darwe, a native of Afghanistan, overcame physical injuries and the constant threat of bombing in his war-ravaged homeland. He moved his mother and sisters to Pakistan, where they then obtained visas to come to the United States. He hopes to obtain a GED and eventually go into teaching or nursing.

Muñoz suffered from physical problems resulting in speech and movement difficulties. He has improved his reading from fourth-grade to ninth-grade level and has learned technology skills. He hopes to attain a High School Equivalency certificate to boost his job skills.

Turlock Adult School students Maria Luisa Avina and Nancy Contreras won scholarships of $500 each. Both are bilingual, bicultural, first-generation students.  READ MORE ➤➤

 

Automatic Readability Checker

Based on 7 readability formulas:

Grade Level: 10

Reading Level: difficult to read.

Reader's Age: 14-15 yrs. old

(Ninth to Tenth graders)

 

@LiteracyTexas

Literacy Starts In Lubbock
Lubbock Online: 4.18.2021 by Steve Banta, Literacy Texas

During the pandemic, literacy was one of the hardest-hit social services programs in Texas. As with education, mental health, and other key human learning services, the so-called “COVID Slide” significantly impacted literacy training, especially in rural areas.

Literacy Lubbock

Nonprofits like Literacy Lubbock kept their doors open throughout 2020, working with adult students juggling full-time jobs, and family responsibilities while they earned GEDs and other high school credentials. Less fortunate Texas nonprofits were forced to close, and thousands of students and families fell between the cracks of literacy education.

Texas ranks 47th in literacy nationwide, with some of the lowest national percentages of people aged 25 years and older to complete high school or GEDs. During the pandemic, job losses proved that literacy is critical to our future, and our state’s economy.

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Technology was identified as the key to bridging the learning gap. More than 71% of nonprofit survey respondents serving students listed lack of computers and internet access at home as major roadblocks to learning. Sixty-two percent were unable to communicate with students without cell phones or email addresses, and many cited cultural and language barriers as a hurdle to communication.

Moving forward, nonprofits are re-booting tele-literacy training, investing in iPads and other electronics to reach students, but nothing outweighs the desire the learn.  READ MORE ➤➤

 

Automatic Readability Checker

Based on 7 readability formulas:

Grade Level: 14

Reading Level: difficult to read.

Reader's Age: 21-22 yrs. old

(college level)

 

@TridentLit

Everyday Hero: Pat Gibson – Trident Literacy Association
CountOn 2: 4.19.2021 by Carolyn Murray

Reading a book, filling out a form, signing your name – it’s easy to take being able to do these things for granted.

For nearly 50 years, adults have gained this skill through the Trident Literacy Association.

News 2’s Carolyn Murray shares this week’s Everyday Hero: the founder of the organization and asked what sparked the idea to help adults learn to read and write.

“A gentleman came up to me, held out a card and said, ‘do you think this card is appropriate for my grandson?’ and I looked at the card and said yes, I think he would really like it,” explained Pat Gibson.

She continued: “When I went to check out, the clerk said thank you for helping him buy a card today because he cannot read, and it was an epiphany for me. It had never occurred to me that there were adults who couldn’t read.”

Gibson quickly dismisses the notion that she is solely responsible for starting Trident Literacy, but the Virginia native planted the seed for the organization in 1972

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And Gibson says they are often hidden in plain sight – your neighbors, relatives, and friends. Thousands of people struggling to read and write in Charleston, Berkeley, and Dorchester Counties.

“There are 66,000 adults in the tri-county area who do not possess a high school credential and they have a problem filling out a job application form,” said Gibson.  WATCH 04:00

 

Automatic Readability Checker

Based on 7 readability formulas:

Grade Level: 11

Reading Level: fairly difficult to read.

Reader's Age: 15-17 yrs. old

(Tenth to Eleventh graders)

 

ALCConchoValley

West Texas Non-Profit Organization Notices An Uptick In Younger Adults Earning GEDs

My Fox Zone: 4.20.2021 by Kami Simmons

According to the Texas Education Agency, thousands of adults do not have a high school diploma. A local organization is trying to fix that.

Under a little less than a year, the Adult Literacy Council of the Concho Valley said their staff has seen a different population of students use the resources they provide to get their GED and other educational resources to be able to live and work.

“We have had traditionally before COVID. We had older people that were wanting to get their high school equivalent. They had missed school. And when I say older, it could be 20, 30, 40, 50, or the 90-year-old that are wanting to get their high school equivalent. It’s in their bucket list and they want that to be done…we saw more younger kids and I’m talking about 15 to 18-year-olds that have dropped and who were not doing their classwork necessarily at school or not having a computer,” Marilynn Golightly, Adult Literacy Council of the Concho Valley program director said.  WATCH 02:07

 

Automatic Readability Checker

Based on 7 readability formulas:

Grade Level: 10

Reading Level: fairly difficult to read.

Reader's Age: 14-15 yrs. old

(Ninth to Tenth graders)

Literacy – Spanning the US :: Hot Springs AR :: Westminster MD :: Leesburg VA

Literacy In The News :: Spanning the US

Literacy Council 
Garland County

GC Literacy Council Seeks New Volunteers, Community Partners
Sentinel Record: 12.27.2020 by Cassidy Kendall

As The Literacy Council of Garland County looks to double its impact on those in need of literacy and mathematics teaching and remediation in the next year, it needs help from multiple segments of the community.

Council Executive Director Sarah Richardson, who began her position in July, told The Sentinel-Record in September that they hope to double the number of students and volunteers by September 2021. So far, they are halfway to their goal.

"We're at about -- this is not my favorite number -- about 20 students, which is not anywhere near our best numbers ever, but is about where we were at, at a full-year cycle last year," Richardson said. "Our numbers don't look great, but the state numbers for literacy councils are down to about 20% of what they normally are at this point in the year.

"So I feel like at least we're kind of keeping our ground, and we're hoping to continue to grow some. That's what we want for next year is really to get back to -- I found documents from years past where we served 150 students. That's really what we want to be back to. That's what we want. We want to be making a real impact again, and so we're not there yet."

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Richardson said with 11% of the county in need of literacy assistance, she is here to stay in her position and is "in love" with the council's mission to help.  READ MORE ➤➤

Automatic Readability Checker

Based on 7 readability formulas:

Grade Level: 10

Reading Level: standard / average.

Reader's Age: 14-15 yrs. old

(Ninth to Tenth graders)

 

Literacy Council 
Carroll County

Literacy Council of Carroll County Provides No-Cost Education To Adult Learners
Carroll County Times: 12.28.2020 by Rebecca Arenson-Rachlinski

What is the Literacy Council of Carroll County? Is it a book club? No. Is it part of the Public Library or School System? No, though they are both Literacy Council partners. First, what is literacy? People often think that literacy means being able to read and write. But the broader meaning of literacy is knowledge or ability in a certain area (for example: finances).

So, what is the Literacy Council of Carroll County? The Literacy Council is a nonprofit organization providing no-cost education to adult learners who are Carroll County residents and employees. Our mission is to enable adult learners to develop or improve the skills they need to reach their personal education, workplace, and life goals.

Our volunteer tutors provide free, confidential, one-on-one tutoring in a wide variety of subjects, including: reading, writing, and math; ESOL (English as a Second Language); citizenship; computer skills; preparing for the written portion of licensing exams (study skills); and workplace skills.  READ MORE ➤➤

 

Automatic Readability Checker

Based on 7 readability formulas:

Grade Level: 10

Reading Level: fairly difficult to read.

Reader's Age: 14-15 yrs. old

(Ninth to Tenth graders)

 

@LoudounLiteracy

Loudoun Literacy Council and Fabbioli Winery: Supporting Multilingual Workers in Loudoun County
Loudoun Now: 12.24.2020 by Jessica Monte

Olga sits across a wooden farm table from me. She has just finished a one-hour class on subject-verb agreement, an advanced English language concept she is studying in her GED class, a program hosted by the Loudoun Literacy Council with Fabbioli Wine Cellars in Leesburg.

“I like learning English to speak with other people,” Olga tells me, “but, it is difficult.”

Olga moved to the United States seven years ago, attended one year of high school, and then dropped out. She subsequently found employment at Fabbioli Wine Cellars, which has hosted English classes for more than two years and has recently launched a GED program.

@FabbioliWines

“I want my team to improve their lives and jobs,” Doug Fabbioli, co-owner of Fabbioli Wine Cellars said. “When some of them started helping in the tasting room on the weekends, we realized how important their language skills were to the job. So, we specifically started classes so the team would work better together.”

A 2014 study “The Bilingual Advantage: Language, Literacy, and the U.S. Labor Market,” indicates that employers prefer bilingual applicants. Karen Feldman, the director of the Adult Literacy Program for the Loudoun Literacy Council agrees. “Being able to learn or be bilingual or trilingual is such a leg up in so many ways.”

But here in Loudoun County, where the Loudoun Literacy Council serves nearly 500 adults annually, a staggering 85 percent of ELs, or English Learners, enrolled in Loudoun County Public Schools test below basic proficiency in reading.  READ MORE ➤➤

Automatic Readability Checker

Based on 7 readability formulas:

Grade Level: 9

Reading Level: standard / average.

Reader's Age: 13-15 yrs. old

(Eighth and Ninth graders)

Literacy – Spanning the US :: Fort Wayne IN:: Racine WI :: Troy NY :: Frederick MD

Literacy In The News :: Spanning the US

@FWliteracy

Literacy Alliance Getting Results
Nonprofit outpacing state in percentage of students passing test

Journal Gazette: 11.27.2020 by Ashley Sloboda

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 ➤➤

Automatic Readability Checker

Based on 7 readability formulas:

Grade Level: 12

Reading Level: fairly difficult to read.

Reader's Age: 17-18 yrs. old

(Twelfth graders)

 

Racine Literacy 

Council

Racine Literacy Council - “Citizenship” Class
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 ➤➤

Automatic Readability Checker

Based on 7 readability formulas:

Grade Level: 8

Reading Level: standard / average.

Reader's Age: 12-14 yrs. old

(Seventh and Eighth graders)

 

Literacy Volunteers of Rensselaer County Announces New Role In Albany Literacy
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 ➤➤

Automatic Readability Checker

Based on 7 readability formulas:

Grade Level: 11

Reading Level: fairly difficult to read.

Reader's Age: 15-17 yrs. old

(Tenth to Eleventh graders)

 

@LCFC3

Literacy Council of Frederick County Collects Books For Children
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 ➤➤

Automatic Readability Checker

Based on 7 readability formulas:

Grade Level: 10

Reading Level: fairly difficult to read.

Reader's Age: 14-15 yrs. old

(Ninth to Tenth graders))