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Valley volunteer program helps improve literacy By
Samantha Nicholas -National Library Week slogan More than 140,000 Utah adults‹about 11 percent‹would have difficulty, or be completely unable to read this rhyme. That's where programs such as Bridgerland Literacy come in. Founded in Cache Valley in 1987 by VISTA (Volunteers In Service to America) volunteer Cindy Yurth, Bridgerland Literacy started with only a handful of volunteers working out of a cardboard box in the Richmond, Utah library. A small stipend from VISTA and donations from Pepperidge Farm comprised the program's budget. In 1988, the program had grown and moved their office into the Logan City Library. The private, non-profit organization now has over 157 tutors who donated more than 4,085 hours of teaching and related work in 2001. The program is coordinated by three staff members. Last year, they offered services to over 120 adults, youth and children in Cache Valley. Of the 120, Literacy Coordinator Renee Magnusson estimates the number of adults at around 100. There is no cost to the students for tutors or access to the program's library and other resources. All services are confidential. Magnusson says the program serves "people of all ages, the oldest right now is about 60." In June 2001, Bridgerland Literacy received the first of five annual donations for $10,500 from a foundation which wishes to remain anonymous. The group has also been awarded a Community Development Block Grant to help cover the cost of implementing a computer literacy program and creating an interactive web page for tutors and students. The program is partially funded by the United Way and federal, state and local government. With these donations and others, the program hopes to assist an additional 30 students this year. Bridgerland Literacy tutors are volunteers. They usually meet with the students twice a week for one hour and work one-on-one to increase their reading skills. Tutors are trained by Bridgerland Literacy and offered access to program resources. They are asked to commit for at least one year. One tutor has been with the program for 12 years, but the average is two years. Approximately 100,000 Utah school children read at a level low enough to be considered "at risk" according to America Reads, a nationwide literacy program. Children who cannot read grow into adults who cannot read. Approximately 11 percent of Cache Valley residents who should be able to read above the third grade level are unable to do so. It may be hard to believe, but it's true. In fact, journalism students at Utah State University are advised to write articles for a third grade reading level. Magnusson believes there are several reasons why adults seek to improve their reading skills. Often it is work-related, as was the case for one Bridgerland Literacy student who signed his story, "Cowboy That Knows This Program Works." in "A Bridge to Somewhere," an anthology of new readers. He expresses gratitude to the program for helping him maintain his job. His company implemented cutbacks and required all employees to "multi-skill" and become knowledgeable about all aspects of the job. This required him to take a four-month electrician course. Without the help of the program, he does not believe he could have passed. Others may be stimulated to improve their reading skills in order to help their own children. Another reader explains her story in the anthology, "One day I tried to read a fairy tale to my child, and couldn't make heads nor tales of it...I just did not know how." Some learners seek help for more specific instances such as, taking a driving test. No matter what the reason, Bridgerland Literacy will help. Their library has resources for all occasions. From drivers education to westerns, romance novels to children's stories, they have something for everyone. "They're learning reading skills but they're also working toward a goal," Magnusson explained. People seeking help find Bridgerland Literacy through many different sources. Referrals come from friends, clergy, posters, public service announcements in the newspaper and on the radio and from other volunteer services such as Smith's volunteer center. It is difficult for anyone to learn to read, but for those who don't even speak English, it is much more difficult to learn to read English. Ralph Briscoe teaches English as a second language (ESL) classes in Cache Valley. With about four years experience teaching ESL, he said less than five percent of his students can't read in Spanish. "Spanish is a lot easier to read than English," Briscoe said. His classes are open-enrollment and continue year-round. An average of eight students come to each class. Some students come for a few classes, then miss a few, then come back. Briscoe believes the average student comes for six months to a year. The most challenging aspect of his class is that each student is at a different level. One of his current students is a medical doctor. Obviously that student's needs and learning objectives are much different than most of his other students. Referrals occur back and forth between Bridgerland Literacy and the ESL program. Historically, the definition of literacy was the ability to sign your name. That doesn't cut it anymore. More current definitions use the ability to perform basic skills such as addressing an envelope, understanding a want ad in the newspaper or filling out a job application. In a nationwide study, the U.S. Department of Education found that 90 million Americans (47 percent of the adult population) has minimal literacy skills. Earlier studies indicated one in five Americans were functionally illiterate. Bridgerland Literacy reports several startling tidbits. € Young adults have experienced an 11 to 14 percent drop in literacy skills since 1985. € Children raised in poverty or who possess learning disabilities are more likely to become illiterate adults. € Ten percent of the American population is dyslexic to some degree. € A non-reading adult typically earns 42 percent less than a reading adult. € Seventy-five percent of unemployed adults have reading difficulties. € Illiteracy costs the American taxpayers more than $225 billion each year. € Forty-four percent of American adults fail to read even one book in the course of a year. € Older adults are the group most likely to have limited literacy skills. If you know someone who has difficulty reading, or would like to tutor others, they can call Bridgerland Literacy at (435) 716-9141 or stop by the Logan City Library at 255 N. Main.
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