CONTACT: Lisa Lacher, 515-271-3119, lisa.lacher@drake.edu
Volunteer tutors are needed at the Drake University Adult Literacy Center to help local residents improve their reading skills. In addition, adults who need reading help can call 515-271-3982.
Anyone interested in becoming a tutor is invited to attend the next orientation, which will be held from 5:15 to 8 p.m. Monday, Jan. 29, Tuesday, Jan. 30, and Thursday, Feb. 1, at the Drake School of Education Resource Center, 1213 25th St. All three sessions must be attended, as they provide valuable literacy training in multi-sensory structured teaching for reading and spelling.
Volunteers meet with students twice a week for one-hour, one-on-one sessions at the Adult Literacy Center. Tutors should plan to continue with students for the duration of at least one year.
Currently, the center serves 70 adult students and more remain on a waiting list. Reading skills of the students range from pre-reading to fourth grade; 15 percent of the students are learning English as a second language.
The Adult Literacy Center has been part of the Drake University School of Education since 1976. Staffed by volunteers from Drake and the greater Des Moines communities, the center aims to improve literacy — resulting in enhanced self-esteem, daily living and life-long learning.
For more information, contact Anne Murr at 515-271-3982 or anne.murr@drake.edu.