Literacy Of NNY Tackling Problem Volunteer Tutors Sought; Training Sessions Beginning Sept. 21
CANTON - Did you know that nearly one out of five adults in St. Lawrence County has trouble reading a newspaper, cannot fill out a job application or cannot add up the prices of several purchases?
Fluent readers and those adept at communication often take these skills for granted.
In St. Lawrence County however, according to the coordinator of Literacy of Northern NY in St. Lawrence County, about 20 percent of adults have deficient communication skills and their lives are adversely affected in many ways.
"Adults with poor literacy skills are vulnerable people," says Barbara K. "Bobby" Gordon, who oversees the not-for-profit agency dedicated to helping adults improve their reading, writing, mathematics and oral English skills. "They may be unable to secure employment or do their jobs adequately if they are hired, may not understand the instructions given to them by a doctor, may be required to sign contracts they're not able to read or may feel inadequate when conversing with their child's teacher.
"This is also true of adults who come here from another country," Mrs. Gordon continued. "If they cannot understand and speak English, they have all the same problems, and in addition, they do not even know how to get help for their problems. Society in general is affected, too, since those with poor literacy skills are more likely to depend on public assistance programs to help them cope with their many problems."
According to Mrs. Gordon, her agency is doing something about the problem.
"Volunteer tutors are trained and then matched with adults seeking help," she says, adding that participants decide what they will work on.
"The students decide on and work toward their own goals, whether they include learning to complete job application forms, reading a book to their child, speaking to a doctor and understanding his advice, or doing the math to ensure getting good value when shopping," Mrs. Gordon says.
Literacy of Northern NY is currently assisting about 50 adults with their communication skills, according to Mrs. Gordon, but new students are asking for help each week and additional tutors are always needed. Training for tutors is free and offered two or three times each year.
The next five-session cycle of training will be held in Canton on Tuesday mornings, beginning on Sept. 21. Meetings will be held from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Human Services Building on state Highway 310, the location of the Department of Motor Vehicles in Canton, near Kinney's.
"After training, tutors benefit from the support of the staff of Literacy of Northern NY. Tutors and students can borrow appropriate materials from libraries throughout the county," Mrs. Gordon says, adding, "The overwhelming majority of tutors report that they learn as much as their students, since adult students are often very knowledgeable in specific areas and eager to share their expertise with their tutors. Adults from other countries enjoy talking about their native lands and comparing their cultures with those of their tutors.
"Overall, the experience of helping an adult improve their communication skills is extremely rewarding," she says.
Anyone interested in becoming involved with this program is encouraged to contact the Literacy office by phone at 265-0194 or via email; the address is lvastlaw@hotmail.com .
More information is available at that phone number or by sending an email, according to Mrs. Gordon.
If you cannot attend the training but are interested in becoming a tutor, call or email the office and you will be contacted about future training sessions.
