Bonding with books:
Program tries to help families break cycle of illiteracy
San Diego Union-Tribune: September 14, 2003 by Linda McIntosh
Every week a father met with his reading tutor and brought along his 4-year-old daughter.
"He told me he wanted her to see him doing homework so she would know how important it is," said tutor Jackie Abrams, a co-founder of Friends of READ/San Diego.
The man also told Abrams he never wanted his daughter to be in his situation.
That was more than 10 years ago. He went on to open a business.
"That's what the literacy program is about -- breaking the cycle," Abrams said.
READ/San Diego offers free tutoring for adults to improve their reading and writing.
In addition to the Adult Literacy Program, city and county libraries offer programs to encourage families to read together.
"We tell parents they are their children's first and most important teacher. It's important to read together as a family," said Kim Moore, Families for Literacy assistant.
At a recent Families for Literacy meeting at the Vista branch library, Moore read "Van Gogh's World of Color" and "More Bugs in Boxes" to a group of preschoolers.
Children eagerly answered questions about the books.
Little fingers traced the letter of the day in the air and larger hands helped out. Everyone sounded out "O."
During the 1 1/2-hour program, kids participated in literacy activities and sang songs. Families made color wheels.
At the end of the program, each family took home two free new books to read and keep.
"Some parents came back and told us their kids couldn't put the book down," said Kelli Sandman-Hurley, Families for Literacy coordinator.
Many families come back month after month.
Volunteers also return to help out. Some help with the family literacy programs,and some serve as tutors in the adult learning program.
Tutors generally meet with their students for about 60 to 90 minutes twice a week at a local library.
The initial commitment is six months.
But Abrams does not know anyone who has left after only six months.
"You learn a lot more than you teach," said Abrams, who has served as president of Friends of READ/San Diego since it began 13 years ago to raise money for the literacy programs.
"You gain respect for how hard they work, and they respect you for what you teach," Abrams said.
Tutors are being trained at the Vista branch library, 700 Eucalyptus Ave. For information about the programs and volunteer training, call (619) 527-5475 or (800) 576-1176
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