Literacy Council gives adults chance to read, write

By Shea Anderson

Mike was told he would never learn to read or write when he was younger, so he coasted through school. He secured a job as a mechanic, and worked without much hassle for four years. But, the field began evolving. And he couldn’t read blueprints or understand computers. He didn’t have the skills to keep up.

Mike learned to read and write at the Tri-State Literacy Council and went on to have a letter published in the newspaper. His tutor, Marie Willis, said she found his progress rewarding. Willis has been a volunteer at the council for more than four years, and recently began working as an administrative assistant.

“I’ve worked with students who have not only learned to read, but make better decisions with life in general,” Willis said. “The reward comes in when you know the student is progressing and knowing they are going in the right direction.”

The council has 34 students, and over the past 10 years has helped about 600 people improve their literacy skills. Lynn Ormiston, director of the council, said she estimates it has helped more than 800 in its 30-year existence.

“We have some students who are starting at the very basic level,” she said. “They may know some of an alphabet, or maybe not. With those individuals, it’s starting from square one.”

According to a study by the National Assessment of Adult Literacy in 2003, 11 percent of adults in Cabell County lack basic prose literacy skills. When the study was conducted in 1992, it was 13 percent.

“Lacking reading skills keeps them from helping themselves and their families more,” Ormiston said. “Every time they go to the grocery store, they may have trouble finding the item they want. Some people shop with pictures. Insurance forms, voting, driving. Just imagine if all those signs you look at every day didn’t have any meaning for you. It can be a huge barrier to personal growth and finance.”

Tutors for the council undergo 12 hours of training before the council pairs them with a student. Students are tested and placed at a grade level. Ormiston said many come in with a purpose, such as learning to read enough to pass the GED exam.

Students stay involved as long as they are motivated to keep learning. Ormiston said on average, it takes about 100 hours of tutoring to move up a grade level.

The council receives partial funding from the United Way of the River Cities. It was awarded $18,750 this year. Ormiston said the Cabell County Public Library and West Virginia Adult Basic Education are the council’s other major sources of funding, but they also apply for smaller grants.

In the tax year ending June 2008, the council received $51,038.02 from gifts and grants.

The largest expense was employee salaries, which was $49,485.11. Additional expenses included $300 for rent, utilities and maintenance and $170.55 for printing, publications, postage and shipping. Other expenses reached $3,082.22.

Fundraising events are being implemented this year. A Walk for Independence last July brought in more than $3,000 in sponsorships and grants. Ormiston said she is trying to organize more fundraisers.

In addition to raising money through events, Ormiston said she hopes to see other changes this year. Family literacy is a new option Ormiston wants to offer to students.

“It would be embedded in the family and create a literacy rich environment of family activities to reinforce reading to children,” Ormiston said.

To introduce the council to more people in the community, Ormiston also wants to host a series of classes in financial, computer, political, environmental and health literacy.

“Hopefully, if we can do different things like that in the community, people will have a relationship with us that they will want to build on,” she said.

The classes also would serve as a tool to recruit new students. Ormiston said one of the main obstacles of the council is many people who can’t read do not know about the services.

“It makes it difficult when the medium you’re accustomed to using is the medium that is creating problems for people who cannot read,” Ormiston said. “Most students come to us by word of mouth, because they know someone who has done it and likes it and thinks it’s really positive for their lives.”

*Mike’s name is changed to protect his privacy.