Literacy ▬ Spanning North America :: Texarkana AR :: Calexico CA :: Ardmore OK :: Edmonton AB

Literacy In The News :: Spanning North America

@ARadultlearn

Literacy Council Wins Pair Of Awards
Texarkana Gazette: 5.21.2021

The Literacy Council of Bowie and Miller Counties won two awards during the Adult Learning Alliance of Arkansas' conference Friday.

The Literacy Council won for Innovative Project of the Year and Student of the Year, two of the six awards the ALA gives annually to outstanding adult learning programs in Arkansas.

Innovative Project of the Year was awarded for a program developed by Myesha Holmes-Thomas, a student intern for the Literacy Council who is completing a master's degree in social work at Texas A&M University-Texarkana. For this project, she initiated a partnership with the Arkansas Department of Human Services to help serve local families.

Student of the Year was awarded to Denise Anderson, a Literacy Council student who worked hard to gain literacy skills and at age 56 read her first book in December.  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)

 

ALS program

Camarena Library ▬ Tutor Spotlight: Kimberly Valenzuela
THE LITERACY CIRCLE: May 2021

Q: How has your experience been so far as a tutor?

A:  My experience so far has been really good. I enjoy helping people learn new skills that they can use to achieve their personal goals. It is also a very rewarding experience being part of a learner's progress through the ALS program. It is such a good feeling hearing back from my learners on how they implement the skills they learned in their daily lives.

Q: Give three reasons why being a tutor might influence an adult member in your community struggling with literacy skills.

A:  Whether it is reading the morning newspaper, applying for a job, or communicating with doctors, a tutor can help a learner achieve these goals. Another reason is by prioritizing their needs in a one-to-one setting. Sometimes it is difficult to keep up in a class with 20 other students with different goals, while working with a tutor focuses on the learner’s individual goals, level, and pace.  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)

@ArdLitLead

Ardmore Literacy Leadership Celebrates Graduates From Partner Organizations
Daily Ardmoreite: 5.22.2021 by Michael D. Smith

During a graduation season full of high school and college commencement ceremonies, one ceremony this week stood out with a collection of graduates from area literacy groups. The Ardmore Literacy Leadership on Thursday recognized learners for completing their high school diploma, GED, English as a Second Language, Spanish language or U.S. citizenship test.

Over 100 guests were on hand at the Colvert Ministry Center to celebrate the graduates including families, tutors and other supporters. Oklahoma Rep. Mauree Turner, an Ardmore native, provided a recorded camessage and Ardmore City Commissioner John Credle addressed those in attendance. 

ALL organizations represented on Thursday included Ardmore Family Literacy, Ardmore Public Library, New Dimension Literacy Council, Boys and Girls Club of the Red River Valley, and St. Mary Catholic Church.  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)

 

@palsedmonton

PALS Has Been Changing Lives Through Literacy Since 1979
Edmonton Journal: 5.25.2021 by Fish Griwkowsky

Though he lived in Edmonton as a child, Greece-born Nicholas Koronios spent most of his life in Athens — returning to Canada in 2016 when he was 24.

Back in Europe, he spoke English with his mother after coming home from school and soccer, pretty basic stuff like, “Hello,” or “Are you hungry?”

“I thought I knew some things. But in reality,” the now 29-year-old Edmontonian admits with a laugh, “I didn’t really know anything.”

Koronios was hardly alone in the city, struggling with a language that throws the homonyms there, their and they’re at us randomly on a daily basis, tripping up a good number of lifelong Canadians, as well.

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“I thought, what can I do to better myself, right?”

On top of being able to communicate in a way it’s so easy to take for granted, Koronios wanted to be an electrician, maybe a police officer.

“So what do those jobs require? Number one: English.

“So the first thing was like, ‘Oh, crap, I need a tutor. I’ve got to pay big money.’ And you know, I didn’t even have a job.

“How could I afford that?”

Enter Project Adult Literacy Society — the friendly-sounding PALS for short.

Running in the city since 1979, the mostly volunteer organization quietly does some of the most noble work in Edmonton: increasing our ability to communicate. And, most importantly, the program is free.  READ MORE ➤➤

 

Automatic Readability Checker

Based on 7 readability formulas:

Grade Level: 7

Reading Level: fairly easy to read.

Reader's Age: 11-13 yrs. old

(Sixth and Seventh graders)

Literacy ▬ Spanning the US :: Manitowoc WI :: Glen Ellyn IL :: Altadena CA

Literacy In The News :: Spanning the US

Manitowoc Library

Manitowoc Public Library Battles Adult Illiteracy with One-to-One Program
Seehafer News: 5.19.2021 by Margo Meyer, Adult Services Associate - Manitowoc Public Library

   “Reading is a portal—into the past, the future. It’s a parent reading ‘Where the Wild Things Are’ to the child on his lap. It’s someone filling out a job application to better her life or following a recipe from a cookbook to feed their family. It’s a quiet hour on a rainy afternoon, a note from a friend, the instructions on a bottle of medication. It’s elemental, and it’s magic, and it’s vital.”

These eloquent words from author Nora Roberts get to the core of what Manitowoc Public Library’s One-to-One Adult Literacy Program is all about. Our volunteer tutors work with adults ages 18 and older in our community who would like goal-oriented, individualized literacy tutoring. After experiencing our free training, tutors are equipped to develop and enhance their learners’ skills in reading, writing, comprehending, and speaking English. These literacy and reading skills truly lead to wonderful things.

In a given month, I feel fortunate to hear about the many goals our tutors and learners are working towards. It could be the gains in pronunciation an ELL learner is making through conversation practice or the sharing of recipes and how to cook something from someone’s home country to practice the imperative form in English. Throughout the pandemic, our learning pairs were very creative and adept at taking advantage of online learning. Reading aloud to each other through Google Duo, Zoom, or Face Time allowed instruction to continue, often including pets who would curl up and listen to the shared stories.  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)

 

@LiteracyDuPage

Literacy DuPage Receives Donation of New Computers
Patch.com: 5.20.2021

Naperville Bank & Trust recently presented a generous gift of new Lenovo computers to Literacy DuPage, one of Illinois' largest volunteer tutor literacy organizations. The donation includes seven laptops and six desktop computers with monitors. These devices will be provided to lower-income adult learners in DuPage County, who are currently limited to receiving virtual one-to-one tutoring via cell phones.

According to U.S. Census figures, approximately 1.1 million Illinois households do not have computer access, creating a challenge for remote learning.

These donated computers will support instruction for adults who have reached out to Literacy DuPage to improve their English language reading, speaking, comprehension, and writing skills. Communicating effectively and increasing fluency leads to safer, more productive, and richer lives.  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)

@AltadenaLibrary

Altadena Library Official Honored by California Library Association
Pasadena Now: 5.13.2021 by Brian Day

An Altadena Library District trustee has been awarded the California Library Association’s President’s Award for her contributions to libraries and literacy, the library announced Thursday.

Katie Clark, who serves as president of the Board of Trustees, has been named the recipient of the honor, the Altadena Library District said in a written statement.

“[She] is a central leader in the community of Altadena whose vision and tireless commitment to libraries have created a legacy of long-term, positive impact that will provide critical library services for Altadena for decades to come,” the statement said.

The CLA President’s Award recognizes “outstanding contributions, leadership, and achievement in support of California libraries by a Trustee, Friend, Elected Official, or other layperson who has given his or her time and talents to further the advancements of California libraries,” the statement added.  READ MORE ➤➤

 

Automatic Readability Checker

Based on 7 readability formulas:

Grade Level: 17

Reading Level: very difficult to read.

Reader's Age: College graduate

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 North America :: Duncan OK :: Williams Lake BC :: Big Rapids MI

Literacy In The News :: Spanning North America

Duncan Area 
Literacy Council

DALC Set To Host Training Session; Nonprofit Seeking Volunteers
Duncan Bnner: 5.11.2021 by Charlene Belew

Nearly one in five Oklahomans are illiterate, meaning they are unable to read and write above a third grade level. A local nonprofit is on a mission to change this but needs volunteers to make this happen.

The Duncan Area Literacy Council (DALC) will host a training session for anyone interested in tutoring another adult lacking in literacy skills.

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“The tutor only needs to know English … that’s what their students will be learning,” she said. “DALC has successfully worked with people from 14 different countries to learn English.”

Brancich pointed to the one-in-five statistic in Oklahoma and said, “In Oklahoma, you could fill the OU football stadium five times with that number.”

“In Stephens County, you could fill the Duncan High School stadium three times with the number of people who are illiterate,” Brancich said. “During the pandemic, so many of our learners were affected and we are trying to rebuild our programs.”

She said getting back into the swing of things would be a “step toward ‘normal’ as” the nonprofit seeks new volunteers to help in the fight against illiteracy.  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)

 

Cariboo-Chilcotin 
Partners for Literacy

Lil Mack of Williams Lake Honoured With BC Achievement Community Award
WL Tribune: 5.11.2021

A longtime Williams Lake resident has been named as a recipient of this year’s BC Achievement Community Award.

Now in its 18th year offering the program, award recipients were announced May 10 by Premier John Horgan and Annie Giardini, OC, OBC, QC and Chair of the BC Achievement Foundation, after an independent committee reviewed nominations.

“This year’s community awardees are, without exception, remarkable British Columbians who have strengthened their communities during challenging times,” Horgan said.

“As a result of their commitments to causes beyond themselves, they have ensured that B.C. is a better province for all of us.”

Mack has been an ever-present, quietly powerful literacy force in Williams Lake for several decades.

As one of the founders of the Cariboo-Chilcotin Partners for Literacy in 1997, Mack continues to keep literacy front and centre, promoting early childhood, adult and financial literacy.  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)

 

@angelsofaction

New Literacy Program Created Through Angels of Action
Big Rapid News: 5.12.2021

A new family-based literacy program will offer opportunities for improved reading and employability skills, focusing on family involvement through Angels of Action.

The program, called Literacy in Action (LIA), has a mission to provide an incentive-based literacy program that strengthens families by fostering child development, parent support and programs that help parents further their employment and literacy skills.

The goal of LIA is to first build the youth program that will offer opportunities for improved reading through one-on-one tutoring and homework help. The future goals consist of offering adult services that work in partnership with already existing community services focused on employability skills, family communication, and parent support.  READ MORE ➤➤

Automatic Readability Checker

Based on 7 readability formulas:

Grade Level: 18

Reading Level: very difficult to read.

Reader's Age: College graduate

Literacy ▬ Spanning North America :: Orlando FL :: Winnipeg MB :: Southern Pines NC :: Kingston JM

Literacy In The News :: Spanning North America

@oclslibrary

Orange County Libraries Offer Free English, Spanish Courses For All Levels
Click Orlando: 5.04.2021 by Crystal Moyer

The Orange County Library System offers English and Spanish courses for all skill levels, free of charge.

The course use to be taught in-person at several of its branches, but because of the pandemic, they’ve had to go virtual. You can now learn English or Spanish from just about anywhere.

“As a new immigrant I wanted to improve my language, I want to get more in the community,” said Hetty Huang.

Huang was born and raised in China. A few years ago, she moved to the U.S. with hopes of studying at the University of Central Florida. With little English, she took the college entry test.

“I failed, but I didn’t give up, I continued to study,” said Huang.

She started taking English courses with the Orange County Library System. The curriculum created 15 years ago by ESL Specialist Jelitza Rivera.

“We have writing courses. Writing clearly with grammar and we work slowly to help them get to whole paragraphs and cover letters. Then we have speaking classes where we work on pronunciation,” said Rivera.

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Rivera said moving from in-person classes to virtual provides more flexibility for her students. She said the program now has more than 200 students from many different cultures.

“We have Chinese, Mandarin and Vietnamese students. We have Arabic students and we have a lot of Brazilians, not just Spanish,” said Rivera. “I get exposure to a lot more culture, a lot more language. As a professional, I become better informed.”

The library also offers several free digital resources to help you continue learning outside of class, from your phone or computer.  WATCH 04:42

 

Automatic Readability Checker

Based on 7 readability formulas:

Grade Level: 7

Reading Level: standard / average.

Reader's Age: 11-13 yrs. old

(Sixth and Seventh graders)

 

Elmwood Community 
Resource Centre

Reading And More At Community Resource Centre
Winnipeg Free Press: 5.08.2021 by Susan Huebert

Some people might barely remember a time before they could read. Others, however, might struggle long into adulthood to be able to comprehend what they see on the page. For people like these, the GOAL adult literacy and upgrading program at the Elmwood Community Resource Centre is available to help.

The need for literacy is everywhere in Canadian society, from filling out job applications to reading instructions or recipes to sitting and relaxing with a good book on quiet afternoons. In many jobs, good reading comprehension is essential. When people are unable to develop the necessary skills in childhood, learning as an adult can help.

The GOAL program is geared towards the needs of its students. Adults aged 18 and up can register at any time of the year, as the program has a continuous intake of students. New arrivals receive a quick assessment of their skills and a customized learning plan, designed to help them earn a GED certificate or gain a work promotion.

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As Condo says, the organization has "20 years of being in the community, serving the community."  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)

 

Moore County 
Literacy Council

Moore County Literacy Council Builds Self-Esteem, Skills, New U.S. Citizens
Sandhill Sentinel: 5.07.2021

The Moore County Literacy Council had two new tutors graduate on May 4 from its tutoring training program. Aggie Cohen and Flavia Abele will now offer tutoring in English as a second language. The tutoring program assists in both learning English and in attaining U.S. citizenship.

Cohen retired to Moore County after living in Pennsylvania for 30 years. She said she could complain on the sidelines and moan about how many people do not have jobs and cannot read – or help someone.

Abele has lived in Moore County for one year since her spouse retired from the military. She volunteered as a tutor in Maryland and said it was a lot of fun. She said so far she has only helped with Spanish-speaking students.

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“I get to see people improve their lives, especially see their self-esteem go up every time they come,” Program Specialist Susan Lamm said.

There is a wide range of languages and dialects entering Moore County Literacy Council. Students from the Philippines, Italy, Venezuela, Ukraine, and Taiwan are a few. “Asian students have a difficult time because they don’t have r’s in their language,” Lamm said. “They have to learn that weird sound.”  READ MORE ➤➤

 

Automatic Readability Checker

Based on 7 readability formulas:

Grade Level: 7

Reading Level: standard / average.

Reader's Age: 11-13 yrs. old

(Sixth and Seventh graders)

 

JFLL

There's Hope Amid The Difficulties
Jamaica Observer: 5.10.2021

Available statistics — up to four or five years ago — appear to suggest that close to 88 per cent of Jamaicans were classified as literate; that is, able to read and write.

That's still way behind a number of this country's Caribbean neighbours, and, without doubt, COVID-19, which has mostly hindered or prevented face-to-face schooling since March last year, will worsen upcoming literacy indicators.

However, for older Jamaicans, who go back to the early 1970s when Jamaica's literacy rate among adults was only about 50 per cent — triggering Mr Michael Manley's adult literacy programme — the current situation is a vast improvement.

We've ventured down this road as a direct result of two articles in yesterday's Sunday Observer which touched squarely on the importance of basic literacy.  READ MORE ➤➤

 

Automatic Readability Checker

Based on 7 readability formulas:

Grade Level: 16

Reading Level: difficult to read.

Reader's Age: College graduate