Literacy groups teach with dignityOrange County Register: April 26, 2006
Dear Abby: I have been dating a nice guy for two years. We started out as good friends and the relationship progressed from there. He's truly all that you could ask for. My dilemma is, he doesn't know how to read and write.
This is a very sensitive subject for him. He is 33 years old and works as a custodian for the school district. He earns a fraction over minimum wage and is making child-support payments.
I have been very patient with him, but any time I raise the subject of his going back to school, we end up arguing. Now he has decided to take a part-time job in the evenings - so there will definitely be no time for school. What am I to do? He thinks my pushing him to learn to read and write is about the money. It's not! He keeps saying he's leaving his reading and writing "in God's hands." How can I help him? - Wits' End in Miami
Dear Wits' End: Your boyfriend's unwillingness to reach out for help may stem from embarrassment. Please explain to him that there are programs especially for people like him, and that they are easy to access. All you have to do is call your county library and tell the librarian you are looking for a referral to a literacy coalition so your friend can learn to read. Your friend will be treated with dignity, I promise.
Saturday, April 29, 2006
Saturday, April 22, 2006
Orange Co Library - READ/Orange County Anaheim volunteer gets presidential honor
Anaheim volunteer gets presidential honor
Orange County Register: April 20, 2006 by Sarah Tully
Anaheim resident Linda Kricfalusi won the President's Volunteer Service Award for volunteering 520 hours as a literacy tutor, her organization announced today.
Last year, about 20,000 people nationwide were given the award, sponsored by the Points of Light Foundation and a top honor tied to the White House.
Kricfalusi, who volunteers and serves as a board member for READ/Orange County, is being recognized as part of National Volunteer Week, which starts Sunday.
Winners receive a signed letter from the president, a certificate and a lapel pin.
Orange County Register: April 20, 2006 by Sarah Tully
Anaheim resident Linda Kricfalusi won the President's Volunteer Service Award for volunteering 520 hours as a literacy tutor, her organization announced today.
Last year, about 20,000 people nationwide were given the award, sponsored by the Points of Light Foundation and a top honor tied to the White House.
Kricfalusi, who volunteers and serves as a board member for READ/Orange County, is being recognized as part of National Volunteer Week, which starts Sunday.
Winners receive a signed letter from the president, a certificate and a lapel pin.
Wednesday, April 19, 2006
San Diego Public Library - READ San Diego - 50 People To Watch in 2006
50 People To Watch in 2006San Diego Magazine: April 2006
As director of READ/ San Diego, Valerie Hardie oversees the San Diego Public Library system's innovative literacy program, which has been nationally recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
READ is acclaimed for its successful strategies to improve language skills among the estimated 422,000 adults in San Diego County who cannot read and write well enough to get along in the business world-or even meet their own daily needs. Hardie's challenge in the coming year: to weather San Diego's worsening budget crisis and likely cutbacks in library funding while maintaining READ's excellent scorecard
Tuesday, April 18, 2006
Huntington Beach Library - Literacy Program Helps Newcomers Improve Their English
Literacy Program Helps Newcomers Improve Their English
Pacific News: March 29, 2006 by Josie Cabiglio
Immigrants to the United States often take ESL to learn to speak, yet for many, it isn’t enough. Finishing those English as a Second Language courses, some find out they cannot read or write as well as they should to get a job or to connect to fluent sons and daughters.
In other cases, even people born and raised in the U.S. do not master these skills they need to succeed. In fact, studies show that one-fifth of our adult population lack the reading capability to cope successfully as workers, parents and citizens, yet low-cost or free help is within reach.
Enter literacy.
Thanks to nearly 1,200 affiliates of ProLiteracy America, tutoring is available in all 50 states and the District of Columbia, offering one-on-one service by trained individuals.
Since it began in 1984, the Literacy Volunteers program at Huntington Beach’s Public Library in California alone has helped nearly 5,000 people — both American-born and newcomers from such countries as Vietnam, China, Mexico and Japan. Through the years, participants have worked with about 4,500 tutors, at times gathering in two-hour weekly sessions. There’s no charge; it’s confidential and personalized.
Another two-hour session Thursday mornings focuses on conversation, led by Caroline Fuelling. Here, Vietnamese students join in, building on what they picked up from the tutoring side. They debate cultural differences and current events, along with problems they faced, say, the previous week at the office, said Anna Combs, a literacy specialist and assistant to Rose Saylin, who runs the program.
Some mothers and fathers who go to the center have youngsters who “are pretty fluent and the parents feel lost. They want to help with homework, but can’t,” Combs said. “Kids can be very critical. Or they are embarrassed,” pushing the adults to want to improve even more, she said.
“Women come here, especially Asians, who worked hard all their lives” and once in this country, still “put food on the table and their children through college. Now they feel, ‘It’s my turn,’ “ she noted.
To qualify for most of the tutoring, students must have some proficiency in English as these are not ESL sessions, Combs said. And for the Huntington Beach program, attendees also must live or work in or near the city. They will be taught by men and women completing at least one 15-hour training session before being matched to their charges.
Only two months after taking the sessions in Huntington Beach, Hai Nguyen, who settled in the U.S. just two years ago, can honestly say his English has advanced greatly and that he feels more confident speaking, reading and writing, inspired by his tutor, Karen Kliem. READ MORE
Tuesday, April 4, 2006
Burbank Library - Not a trivial matter: The 10th Annual Trivia Challenge
Not a trivial matter: The 10th Annual Trivia ChallengeBurbank Leader: April 1, 2006 by Lauren Hilgers
The annual Trivia Challenge hosted by the Burbank Public Library does not discriminate. It aims to stump actors, artists, businessmen and librarians alike.
"I thought it was a trivial contest," joked Gary Lamb of Burbank's Shakespeare at Play. "I know lots of trivial things."
Soon Lamb would sweat it out with the rest of the contestants onstage, his team losing their first point by mispronouncing the Garfield character 'Odie' as 'Obie'.
The contest pitted groups of three against each other -- each team is asked one question each round and two wrong answers are enough to eliminate you from the competition.
"It's nerve-racking," admitted Shauna Vaughn, a member of the team representing the Boys and Girls Club. "I still remember the question I got out on last year."
Questions throughout the night included, "What kind of animal is the Cheetos mascot?" and "What kind of meat is used in Moussaka?"
"I watched quiz shows to prepare myself," said Jim Schendel, also of Shakespeare at Play.
The event, which drew 24 teams from organizations across Burbank, is in it's 10th year. Each year the library funnels the money from ticket purchases, team registration fees and a concurrent silent auction into their literacy program.
. . .
Photo: Trivia Challenge 2006 was held at the Castaway Restaurant, Thursday, an annual event to benefit Burbank Public Library Literacy Services. (L-R) Jack O'Neill, Tony Potter, Gary Lamb, and Jim Schendel.
Sunday, March 12, 2006
Burbank Library - Words of Wisdom in Burbank
Words of Wisdom in Burbank
Daily News of Los Angeles: March 8, 2006 by Rick Coca
Anna Nelson, a volunteer tutor with the Burbank Adult Literacy program, had been warned at orientation that many of the people she and her fellow volunteers would teach would view reading as a chore - not a pleasurable pastime.
Typically, students signed up for the program because they didn't want to lose a job that required reading, got sick of taking an oral driver's license test or wanted to help their children do homework.
They weren't there because they wanted to cozy up in front of the fireplace with a good book.
So after months of working with a student who had very little reading skills coming into the program, Nelson, a retired school nurse and Burbank resident, was ecstatic to learn that the woman had stated in a curriculum report that she enjoyed reading.
``It was Christmas all over again,'' Nelson said. ``(I) wanted my learner to learn how to read and enjoy it, and she is.''
William S. Byrne has been literacy coordinator for the program since 1998. The program is largely state-funded and open to English-speaking adults 18 and over with an eighth-grade or lower reading level. The program is ongoing and pairs about 30 students and volunteer teachers.
. . .
On March 30, Burbank Literacy Services will will hold its 10th anniversary fundraising Trivia Challenge at Castaway restaurant, with proceeds going toward its various literacy programs. To purchase tickets to the event, which will also include a silent auction and door prizes, or to inquire about the literacy program, call (818) 238-5577. READ MORE
Daily News of Los Angeles: March 8, 2006 by Rick Coca
Anna Nelson, a volunteer tutor with the Burbank Adult Literacy program, had been warned at orientation that many of the people she and her fellow volunteers would teach would view reading as a chore - not a pleasurable pastime.
Typically, students signed up for the program because they didn't want to lose a job that required reading, got sick of taking an oral driver's license test or wanted to help their children do homework.
They weren't there because they wanted to cozy up in front of the fireplace with a good book.
So after months of working with a student who had very little reading skills coming into the program, Nelson, a retired school nurse and Burbank resident, was ecstatic to learn that the woman had stated in a curriculum report that she enjoyed reading.
``It was Christmas all over again,'' Nelson said. ``(I) wanted my learner to learn how to read and enjoy it, and she is.''
William S. Byrne has been literacy coordinator for the program since 1998. The program is largely state-funded and open to English-speaking adults 18 and over with an eighth-grade or lower reading level. The program is ongoing and pairs about 30 students and volunteer teachers.
. . .
On March 30, Burbank Literacy Services will will hold its 10th anniversary fundraising Trivia Challenge at Castaway restaurant, with proceeds going toward its various literacy programs. To purchase tickets to the event, which will also include a silent auction and door prizes, or to inquire about the literacy program, call (818) 238-5577. READ MORE
Saturday, March 4, 2006
Orange Co Library - Aliso library hosts adult literacy campaign READ/Orange County assists overcoming illiteracy
Aliso library hosts adult literacy campaign READ/Orange County assists overcoming illiteracy.
Orange County Register: March 1, 2006 by Salvador Hernandez
Volunteers only need to bring a pencil and paper. Students find the necessary reading material everywhere they look.
They find it on medicine bottles, DMV manuals, resumes, voter guides, notes from their child's teacher or in the newspaper - the every day items they just can't read.
It all depends on what it is that the student is trying to accomplish, said Shari Selnick, training coordinator for READ/Orange County, a program within the Orange County Public Library that teaches adults how to read.
"We are working toward their goals," Selnick said. "It's not through workbooks and not through grade levels. That's irrelevant."
READ/Orange County has been teaching adults how to read since 1991, Selnick said. "It was great that the library realized that this is a need," Selnick said. "How could patrons use the library sources if they can't read?"
On March 7, READ/Orange County will be holding an orientation at the Aliso Viejo Library, 1 Journey, for those interested in becoming tutors. The orientation is from 6 to 8 p.m. The orientation is free, but organizers are asking participants for a donation.
Selnick, who also teaches human communication at Cal State Fullerton and Cal Poly Pomona, first became involved with READ/Orange County in 1997. She has been the training coordinator for the organization for about two and a half years.
"It's addictive," Selnick said. "Especially when you see you have made such a difference in people's lives."
For example, Selnick remembers a 55-year-old student who decided to learn how to read because he couldn't read street signs. He would get lost in the freeways and decided it was time to learn, Selnick said.
The organization currently has almost 500 students, plus a waiting list waiting to be paired with a tutor. "And we always have learners on the waiting list," Selnick said.
About one in four people have difficulty reading in Orange County, Selnick said.
Of course, that means that three out of four people can help, she said.
Those looking for helping in learning how to read are as diverse as the entire population of Orange County, said Bob West, outreach coordinator for READ/Orange County.
"The main thing I try to do is make the community aware what illiteracy is, and the number of people that are affected by this," West said. West also tries to correct some of the assumption people may have about illiteracy, like the assumption that most are born in other countries.
In fact, more than half of those who can't read were born here or are adults who have gone through a U.S. school system, West said. Some of them are successful business owners.
He credits that what he calls, the three D's: disabilities, differences and difficulties.
"The facts of life are that we are not wired the same," West said. "If you wanted me to fix the refrigerator, I could read the manual, and I could do it. Another person needs to be shown how to do it. Another person says, 'Tell me how to do it, but I have to do it.'"
That's why students go through a detailed analysis to measure their reading level. Tutors are also taught to be flexible in their teaching styles in order to be more effective, Selnick said.
"It's not a cookie cutter," she said. "That's why we have been very successful."
Tutors are required to go through 23 hours of training and are asked to make a commitment of 50 hours a year. Tutors need to be at least 18 years old and have a willingness to teach and be taught, she said.
Orange County Register: March 1, 2006 by Salvador Hernandez
Volunteers only need to bring a pencil and paper. Students find the necessary reading material everywhere they look.
They find it on medicine bottles, DMV manuals, resumes, voter guides, notes from their child's teacher or in the newspaper - the every day items they just can't read.
It all depends on what it is that the student is trying to accomplish, said Shari Selnick, training coordinator for READ/Orange County, a program within the Orange County Public Library that teaches adults how to read.
"We are working toward their goals," Selnick said. "It's not through workbooks and not through grade levels. That's irrelevant."
READ/Orange County has been teaching adults how to read since 1991, Selnick said. "It was great that the library realized that this is a need," Selnick said. "How could patrons use the library sources if they can't read?"
On March 7, READ/Orange County will be holding an orientation at the Aliso Viejo Library, 1 Journey, for those interested in becoming tutors. The orientation is from 6 to 8 p.m. The orientation is free, but organizers are asking participants for a donation.
Selnick, who also teaches human communication at Cal State Fullerton and Cal Poly Pomona, first became involved with READ/Orange County in 1997. She has been the training coordinator for the organization for about two and a half years.
"It's addictive," Selnick said. "Especially when you see you have made such a difference in people's lives."
For example, Selnick remembers a 55-year-old student who decided to learn how to read because he couldn't read street signs. He would get lost in the freeways and decided it was time to learn, Selnick said.
The organization currently has almost 500 students, plus a waiting list waiting to be paired with a tutor. "And we always have learners on the waiting list," Selnick said.
About one in four people have difficulty reading in Orange County, Selnick said.
Of course, that means that three out of four people can help, she said.
Those looking for helping in learning how to read are as diverse as the entire population of Orange County, said Bob West, outreach coordinator for READ/Orange County.
"The main thing I try to do is make the community aware what illiteracy is, and the number of people that are affected by this," West said. West also tries to correct some of the assumption people may have about illiteracy, like the assumption that most are born in other countries.
In fact, more than half of those who can't read were born here or are adults who have gone through a U.S. school system, West said. Some of them are successful business owners.
He credits that what he calls, the three D's: disabilities, differences and difficulties.
"The facts of life are that we are not wired the same," West said. "If you wanted me to fix the refrigerator, I could read the manual, and I could do it. Another person needs to be shown how to do it. Another person says, 'Tell me how to do it, but I have to do it.'"
That's why students go through a detailed analysis to measure their reading level. Tutors are also taught to be flexible in their teaching styles in order to be more effective, Selnick said.
"It's not a cookie cutter," she said. "That's why we have been very successful."
Tutors are required to go through 23 hours of training and are asked to make a commitment of 50 hours a year. Tutors need to be at least 18 years old and have a willingness to teach and be taught, she said.
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