The Adult Literacy Center (ALC) has been awarded a $41,800 grant from United Way of Central Iowa. This grant will be used to increase the Center’s capacity to serve a growing numbers of low-literate adults who are striving for family-sustaining employment. More and more adults enroll in the ALC because they want to read and write well enough to get a GED, to enroll in training and to get a good-paying job. Anne Murr, Adult Literacy Center Coordinator, reports that enrollment has increased by over 40% in the past 5 years. “The Center needs to be able to serve more of the 30% of Central Iowans who lack functional literacy. We are delighted that United Way has chosen to invest in the lives of adults who are improving their lives through literacy.â€
Volunteers work one-on-one with an assigned adult learner. Last year over 100 volunteers tutored 111 adults, mainly native English speakers, who lack basic literacy skills. Volunteers attend 9 hours of orientation in multi-sensory, structured instruction and experience many personal benefits from tutoring. “It is enjoyable to be part of the process of someone learning. It is rewarding to see tangible results as a result of my student’s hard work and intelligence.â€
For more information about the Adult Literacy Center and to download a Volunteer Application, go to the Adult Literacy website.
The next Tutor Orientation will be:
Friday, Jan. 20 from 5:00 – 8:00 p.m. and
Saturday, Jan. 21, 9:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
(dates tentative, pending final room assignments)