Sept. 8 is International Literacy Day. And one out of five Central Floridians can’t read that sentence. That startling statistic should be reason enough to consider volunteering with Central Florida’s Adult Literacy League Inc., where, in just one to two hours a week, you can teach another adult to read.
“If you can read, you can tutor,” says Daryl Gottlieb, a young law associate with Fisher, Rushmer who works every week with John, a 40-year-old father of five and struggling reader. “You can’t help the economy, but you can help your community,” he adds. From something as simple as reading a street sign to filling out a job application, the league provides learners with practical skills and new, life-changing directions.
There’s a waiting list of more than 100 students, with the greatest need in Orange and Osceola counties, says Joyce Whidden, executive director of Adult Literacy League Inc. “No experience is necessary and training is provided,” she explains. The next tutor training dates are Sept. 26 and Nov. 7.
The organization has consistently grown since inception in 1968. Last year, more than 5,000 were served and a new computer learning lab was added to the league’s office at 345 W. Michigan St. in Orlando. Computer instruction at satellite sites, such as libraries, also is available.
“The best way to create good readers is to start early,” Whidden urges. “Read from the moment they are born. Children learn the sound of language from their parent’s voices.” The league works with Orange County Head Start as well as adult learners, encouraging reading to pre-school children 20 minutes a day. For more information or to volunteer, visit adultliteracyleague.org or call 407-422-1540.
