Literacy Changes Lives

Did you know that 90 million Americans have trouble reading and writing?  Thirty-six million American adults can't read better than the average 3rd grader.  Without valuable literacy skills such as reading, writing, math and computer skills families struggle with employment, health and providing even basic support.  These statistics are daunting, but there is help available and plenty of room if you want to work to counter the effects that illiteracy has on our communities and nation,.

Tonight I attended an orientation session to become an adult literacy tutor.  The Rowan County Literacy Council (RCLC) provides free instruction for adults in a one-on-one setting with trained tutors.  Volunteers are needed to make this possible and I'm excited about pursuing this area of service. North Carolina ranks 41st in the nation in literacy and 1 in 5 adults in Rowan County are literacy deprived.

At our meeting tonight, a gentlemen in his 70s shared his story with the group.  After struggling with being illiterate through primary and secondary school and his adult life, he decided at the age of 59 that he wanted to learn to read.  For many years, he believed he was not smart enough to read.  Through the attention and support provided by RCLC tutors he learned to read, studied for and attained his GED and is now a volunteer tutor and a budding author!  Today he makes school visits and frequently reads to and shares his story with students.  Reading changed his life.

When adults can't read their lives and the lives of their families are greatly impacted.  Think about all of the activities that you do on a daily basis that require reading, from grocery shopping to driving, filling a prescription, completing a job application and even helping kids with their homework.  What if you could not read?  Illiteracy causes people to lose a sense of self-worth and face a lifetime of diminished productivity and potential.  Sadly, if not addressed, it can become yet another generational curse.

There is hope and help available!  RCLC, a member of the ProLiteracy network, is always in need of volunteer tutors.  No teaching experience is needed.  If you are in the Rowan County area call 704-216-8266.  Outside of the area, check out the ProLiteracy website at proliteracy.org.  The site provides tons of information about the impact that educating the adult population will have on our global society. You can also find locations of a literacy council near you.  Literacy changes lives and YOU can be a part of it. 

Until next time, Happy Reading!