Adult
Learner Leadership Institute Success Story By Veronica Torres
READ:
A newsletter written by students and tutors: Winter 2018
I
came to Los Angeles with my mother when I was 12 years old. Since I lived in a
Latino neighborhood where everyone spoke Spanish, I never learned to speak or
read well. I thought then that it wasn’t important. When I got to be an adult,
I realized that you need three things to live well in this country: to read, to
speak and to drive, but at that time I could not read or write an email. I
might recognize two words out of every sentence. I would have to ask my niece
or a friend to read them to me and then I had no privacy. As an adult, I knew
that this wasn’t normal and I got sick of it. I felt depressed, low - on the
floor.
I
have been attending Adult
Literacy Tutoring programs at the Washington Irving Library
Branch, since 2016, where I had the pleasure to meet Julie Christenson, the
coordinator. When she suggested that I attend the ALLI leadership program, I didn’t hesitate
to submit the application. A few weeks after I applied, my application was
approved, and in April 2017 I had the opportunity to attend the three-day
weekend program in Carlsbad, Ca.
It
was my first train ride. I was given a nice room at the Holiday Inn with other
learners. Both learners and staff were surprised to see someone from LA as I
was the first person from LA to attend. I met other adult learners from other
regions and together we learned about the role of leadership in Adult literacy.
We learned about goal setting, building self-esteem and how to get along with
other people. These are important skills for leaders to have. The conference
gave me the confidence that I need to accomplish my goals, to advocate for the
literacy program, and to become a mentor in my community.
In
October, I was invited to return to the ALLI conference in 2018 being held in the
City of Redlands to make a presentation to this years’ learners.
I’m
excited and looking forward! None of this would be possible without Julie’s love,
encouragement and belief in my potential, and I also consider myself lucky to
have Melinda Ratlif, my wonderful tutor. READ MORE >>
Adult
Learner Leadership Institute
April
27 – 29
A
K Smiley Library
Redlands
