THE GIFT OF READING
Press-Enterprise: November 22, 2006 by Diane A. Rhodes
If you can read this, you should consider becoming a member of the Hemet Adult Literacy Advocates.
HALA is a group for anyone who is concerned with alleviating illiteracy in our community. It was formed about four years ago by a small group of tutors.
"Generally, advocates are any adults who see the importance of our literacy program and helps us support it," said Literacy Coordinator Lori Eastman who operates the adult-literacy services through Hemet Public Library.
Working from a small budget, the group seeks grants and donations for its programs that serve more than 100 students.
HALA members do not have to be tutors, although several of them are. They just need to care about wanting to help English-speaking adults who are struggling with reading skills. Eastman said one in six Americans is functionally illiterate.
And in Hemet, 17.7 percent of adults are performing "below basic level" said Jose Cruz, executive director of the Southern California Library Literacy Network.
"This means they cannot even read a TV guide to find out what is on," she explained. "There are a lot of people who need our services."
HALA held a meeting last week to give thanks for the many blessings the literacy program has received during the year, including $7,000 raised from September's Walk-A-Mile for Literacy event.
About 20 people attended to hear about the importance of learning lifetime skills of literacy. Each donating a nonperishable item to a food drive to benefit residents of three alcohol and drug recovery homes in the area that receive literacy services.
Lea Ashworth, the Families for Literacy coordinator, encourages learners to read to their children. The learner works with Ashworth and his or her tutor to become comfortable reading aloud. The goal is to make reading fun for the whole family and to break the cycle of illiteracy.
Focusing on basic reading, writing and math skills, tutors work with adult learners on whatever they need to improve their quality of life.
Ray Strait, president of the Hemet Library Board of Trustees and a tutor for about five years, is helping a student prepare for the written portion of his driver's license test.
Part of the intake process is to discuss goals and what brought them to the program, Eastman said. It might be filling out a job application or learning food-related words and terms to get a job at a restaurant.
Eastman said that 70 percent of learners who set a goal of being able to vote were successful in meeting their goal.
Melany Piotrowski was a special education teacher for years. She found that problems in the home often contributed to reading difficulties.
HALA members meet each month at the Literacy Services center at 315 E. Latham in Hemet and pay monthly dues of $1.
Information, 951-765-3856
No comments:
Post a Comment