Literacy: Spanning the U.S.
Tutoring
emphasized through Leon County’s literacy center
Since
its founding in 1980, the Family
Literacy Center located in the Dr. B.L. Perry Jr. Branch Library
on South Adams Street continues to give support to the Leon County community.
The
Family Literacy Center motivates K-12, GED, and English as a second language
students with the support of tutors and additional resources that includes
computers and study rooms.
Volunteers
can sign up to become a tutor with the director of the program Alden Field.
Becoming a tutor is not only a volunteer opportunity, but it supports the many
students that are on a waiting list in need for a tutor.
Field
has been coordinating the literacy program for ten years and said that it has
brought him a consistent amount of happiness.
“I
have been coordinating this program for ten years now and it has been a
constant source of joy for me to witness the generosity of our volunteers and
the perseverance of our students as they learn and grow together,” Field said.
The
literacy center began with twenty students, but needs to make room for double
the number of students. This is where contributions in the form of monetary
donations are welcomed. Monetary donations would go towards advertisement and
physical expansion of the center. READ MORE >>
Secret’s
out — Norristown Literacy Council opens doors of opportunity
There
are different types of best-kept secrets.
Some
are things to be proud of. Long-standing mom-and-pop-shops. A block filled with
well-maintained homes.
There
are others that are secrets in a different sense.
Executive
Director Theresa Oliver calls the organization the best-kept secret in
Norristown but insists they are not hiding.
“Adult
education is not sexy. It’s hard to get donors. The work requires partnerships
between the students, the tutors and a long time buy-in,” commented Oliver.
The
Literacy Council of Norristown provides instruction in adult basic education,
English for speakers of other languages, and GED to adult learners in the
community via classes and volunteer tutors. The small nonprofit works
exclusively with adult learners who come from diverse backgrounds (some have
earned doctorate degrees in their home country). READ MORE >>
Berston
opens Success Center to tackle literacy problems
M Live:
1.13.2018 by Karen Retzloff
Berston
will open its doors to a new program that's goal is to support the community.
With
the support of a number of donors, Friends of Berston built a classroom to
house a literacy program in the Berston Field House.
The
Success Center was developed in response to the Flint Master Plan's finding
that there are low literacy rates among Flint's working-aged adult residents;
36 percent of working adults were found to be functionally illiterate. The
Master Plan further emphasized that low literacy rates among working-aged
adults may be a deterrent in attracting new businesses to the City of Flint.
Berston
Field House has served as a recreation and community center within Flint for
over 90 years, so Friends of Berston believe that Berston Field House will
offer a special level of comfort and security to those in need of literacy
training. READ MORE >>
Literacy
Coalition takes new approach in 2018
Nonprofit
implements 13-week semesters, different ways of assessing tutors, students
With
the New Year underway, Literacy
Coalition is taking a new approach to its programs in the
hopes of making more of an impact on both students and tutors.
The
nonprofit previously always has had open enrollment where those needing
literacy assistance could come in, enroll, and begin immediately. Beginning in
February, 13-week semesters will replace that system.
According
to Director Bob Stephenson, this system will give them a better way to measure
success for the students, as pre- and post-tests now will be a part of the
curriculum. For tutors, they only are asked to commit for 13 weeks, rather than
a year.
“We
are excited to try this new system and see how it works,” he said. “If you’ve
ever thought that you might enjoy tutoring someone, it is a great opportunity
to give it a test drive. If you know of adults who need to improve their
literacy skills, get their HSE/GED diploma, or improve their English-speaking
ability, tell them about our program,” he said.
While
the classes are set up differently now in terms of timeframe, the majority of
the programs still will be the one-on-one tutoring structure with which the
nonprofit has found success. Stephenson said the population Literacy Coalition
serves is one that typically has not benefited from the traditional class
structure but makes progress with the individualized help.
In
addition, new students will be required to go through a probation period where
they’re asked to come into the office regularly for a period of time to prove
they’re committed to the program, responsible, and able to keep appointments. READ MORE >>
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