Published in the Sept. 30 – Oct. 13, 2015 issue of Morgan Hill Life
By Nathalie Jackson
Nathalie Jackson
Two hundred thousand. That’s the number of people in Santa Clara County who lack the necessary literacy skills to fill out applications, take classes at a local adult school, get a job, a career promotion, or help their children with homework.
Since 1985, the Reading Program, a free, volunteer-based, one-on-one adult literacy program run through the Santa Clara County Library District, has offered thousands of English-speaking adults the opportunity to improve their reading, writing and conversation skills, thereby enabling them to be successful as parents, workers and citizens. Two participants in the program, Ana and Pam, have been working together for the past year.
When I asked Ana to describe her experience with her tutor, she said: “I have never met anyone like her. She guides me step-by-step until I completely understand what I need to learn. She gives me the strength to get going and keeps me on the right path.”
Pam, who started volunteering one year after she retired, said: “Seeing my student’s struggle first-hand, I have learned to take things one step at a time and celebrate the little victories. She is a delight to be with, and I only hope I am helping her as much as she wants and needs.”
If you might be wondering how to become a learner or get involved as a tutor, I encourage you to keep reading and find out more about our richly rewarding program.
The Morgan Hill Library is looking for Reading Program adult learners and mentors like Pam — people who are patient, dedicated, flexible, and would enjoy working with adults two hours a week at the library. All of our volunteer tutors receive free training and ongoing support. No previous experience is needed. Volunteers must be at least 18. We ask that our tutors and learners commit to the program for a minimum of six months. To qualify for the program adult learners need to speak conversational English, read or write below 9th-grade level and be willing to meet with their tutors each week.
Our tutor orientations are scheduled from 2 to 3 p.m. and 6 to 7 p.m. Oct. 14, at the Gilroy Library. The training is scheduled for 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 24, at the Gilroy Library.
For more information on becoming a Reading Program tutor or learner, please give us a call at (408) 848-5366 or email us [email protected].
Adult literacy — it’s about opening doors and changing lives!
Nathalie Jackson is the literacy program Specialist for the Morgan Hill and Gilroy libraries through the Santa Clara County Library District. She wrote this column for Morgan Hill Life.
