Orange Co Library - READ volunteers leave a lasting legacy of literacy

READ volunteers leave a lasting legacy of literacy
At Your Service, Orange County Employees Retirement System: July 2008

For the thousands of area adults who can’t read the menu at a local restaurant, decipher the directions printed on a medicine bottle or complete a job application, illiteracy is a terrible reality.

But a group of dedicated volunteers and Orange County Public Library employees are helping to make a difference in the effort to provide literacy skills in their community.

Anyone reading this article already has the skills that eluded Brea resident Richard Carrizosa for most of his adult life. But thanks to READ/Orange County, he is writing a much happier chapter now.

Carrizosa and his wife Clara were at the Orange County Fair in the mid-1990s when they walked by an information booth related to recruiting both students (also known as “adult learners”) and tutors for READ/Orange County.

“I have a good eye to see things, but I couldn’t read,” Carrizosa admitted. “When my wife called me to ‘Come back here,’ she told me about the program. That’s how I got involved.”

Fast forward to 2008 and Carrizosa talks fondly of working with several tutors over the past 11 years. “We’re pretty lucky to have a program like this. The opportunity is there if you want it,” Carrizosa said. “I think it’s the greatest.”

Irvine resident Alveris Corson represents the other side of READ’s winning formula. She is a tutor who has helped dozens of adult learners since becoming a volunteer for the program in May 2003. “After I retired, I needed to do something to make life interesting,” Corson explained.

In addition to representing READ at public forums such as the Orange County Fair, golf tournaments and company expos, Corson leads a group of ESL (English as a Second Language) in Costa Mesa and a conversation-focused class at Heritage Park in Irvine.

“It’s amazing what I’ve learned,” Corson said. “The first year I worked with a gentleman one-on-one who had not finished high school. Then I spent the next year with a young woman from China. Her problem was conversation and understanding (American) slang.”

Corson said being a volunteer for READ requires relatively little time, but she encourages other Retirees to volunteer. They will be matched with an adult learner who can meet them at an Orange County Public Library located near their home.

Marcia Tungate, Literacy Programs Administrator for READ/Orange County, said while the Orange County Public Library is truly one of the best library systems in the nation, 350,000 adults are unable to take advantage of the books, periodicals and other research tools available at the library because of low-level literacy or English skills.

“That is the equivalent of the entire population of Irvine, Lake Forest, Laguna Beach, Laguna 7 Hills, Laguna Niguel, Dana Point, San Juan Capistrano and San Clemente,” Tungate said of the 350,000 number.

Since early 2004, volunteer tutor Sandy Hague has been serving READ/Orange County on two fronts, tutoring an adult learner in a conference room at Fountain Valley Library and spending four hours a week helping out at READ/Orange County’s headquarters in Santa Ana.

“It’s rewarding because you’re helping people accomplish what they want to accomplish,” said Hague, noting there are a variety of reasons that adult learners come to READ for assistance.

“My current student just got a promotion at work and I like to think what she learned at our sessions played a part in that,” Hague said. “Helping them (students) is terrific.”

READ/Orange County, the adult literacy service of the Orange County Public Library, delivers its services by training community members to become volunteer tutors who work one-on-one with adults and families who have low level reading, writing and English skills.

“Our catch phrase is ‘Leave a Legacy.’ Richard, by learning to read, can now read to his grandchildren,” Tungate noted.

“Alveris has helped expand the program and she has 24 students. The impact of teaching a person to read is amazing,” Tungate explained.

When asked about Hague, who has provided services as a tutor and with professional services at READ/Orange County’s offi ce, Tungate replied: “I could not have survived without her.”

If you are interested in becoming a tutor, or if you or someone you know needs reading assistance, please call 714-566-3070. You can also visit READ/Orange County’s official Web site by pointing your browser to www.readoc.org or visit your local OCPL branch for more information.

“People who have worked hard all their lives can still help make the world a better place in retirement. People who volunteer with READ are giving from their heart,” Tungate said.

Added Carrizosa: “Today when my wife gives me a grocery list, I can read it."

Carlsbad Library - A “ Sell-Out ” Celebration

A “ Sell-Out ” Celebration
~ from the July/August Newsletter: Learning Connection

Our near-capacity crowd of 141 learners, tutors, family members, and friends joined together on June 1 to celebrate a year of achievement at the Adult Learning Program.

We heard stories of hard work and accomplishments, and words of motivation from our speakers Lupe G., Ramon G., Nyla H., Diane H., and Maria W. Principal Librarian, Carol Naegele, captured the audience with her motivational story. AmeriCorps volunteer and past Library Deputy Director, Geoff Armour, honored members of the staff with his humorous limericks.

Carrie Scott, Community Outreach Supervisor for the Adult Learning Program, presented long-time tutor, Betty G. with the President’s Volunteer Service Award. This award requires at least 4,000 hours of volunteer service, but Betty has given far beyond this amount of time in her dedication to helping others.

Six from Carlsbad Complete Leadership Institute~ from the May/June Newsletter: Learning Connection

Graduates of the Adult Learner Leadership Institute (ALLI) were honored at a graduation ceremony on April 26 at the Carlsbad Senior Center.

The graduates included 6 Carlsbad learners Yulia A., Ramon G., Lupe G., Nyla H. Myung K., and Maria W. The two facilitators Diana H. and Vernon T. are also from Carlsbad. 50 family members and friends attended the festivities.

The six-month ALLI program was founded in 2000 as the Henry Huffman Leadership Institute in memory of Henry Huffman, a dedicated learner who devoted his life to spreading awareness of literacy in the community.

Learners who improve their basic reading and writing skills may want to take on new challenges, and make a contribution of their own to set positive examples for learners who are just beginning to acquire literacy skills.

ALLI learners build self esteem as they increase their potential to speak out effectively on community issues, and act as spokespersons for literacy causes.

Literacy service begins work at county Wayfarer Center

Literacy service begins work at county Wayfarer Center
Daily Democrat, The (Woodland, CA) - June 28, 2008

The Woodland Public Library Literacy Service opened its doors to a new program, S.T.E.P. (Strength Through Education Program) on June 12 at the Yolo Wayfarer Center.

This ongoing project brings literacy skills to the residents of the Yolo Wayfarer Center.

"It was a great night, and a great beginning to what we hope will be a long running education program at the Center," notes Literacy Coordinator Sue Bigelow, "and we have many people to thank for getting it off the ground especially the Rumsey Community Fund, the Parker Family Foundation, the Yolo Literacy Council and the Woodland Public Library."

STEP is a goal-oriented literacy program working with the residents at the Center in basic literacy, computer skills, GED preparation, and job/housing skills. A team of four tutors works with the residents twice a week within the homeless shelter.

"The program came about in much the same way as our Inmate literacy program, in that we saw a unique opportunity to take education to the learner," notes Bigelow.

The program takes place on Monday and Thursday evenings at the center with work beign done in Reading and Writing skills, Math skills, Job and computer skills and GED preparation. With local elementary schools being out for the summer, we are also planning education programs for children on those evenings, and are exploring athe potential of working with the Wayfarer Center.

"It is truly a team effort between the Wayfarer Center and its staff, the Literacy Service and our tutors, and those who so graciously have supported us financially," notes Bigelow.

More information concerning the Literacy Service and STEP may be obtained by calling the Literacy Service at 661-5987. READ MORE