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There are approximately 30 million adults in the United States who are functionally illiterate. In Houston alone, there are about one million. Hypothetically, each one of them can be cured. You can’t say the same thing about the dread diseases, and there are more adults suffering from the grim reality of illiteracy than from all these diseases combined. For example, in 2002, only a little over 24,000 people died from all diseases and accidents. It doesn’t take a degree in medicine to help solve the illiteracy problem; it only takes time. Anyone can become a tutor or a mentor. To put this problem in perspective, it is necessary only to cite a few statistics:
It is my intention to do something about this problem in the Houston area. The first thing I did was to take a 6 hour workshop at Literacy Advance so that I could start tutoring. I have been doing it now for 12 weeks and plan to continue indefinitely. To address the full spectrum of literacy, including children with special needs, I am working on an evening event and golf tournament to be held next March. I already have the city of Houston, and the Houston Chronicle on board. I expect the professional sports teams to help out along with local universities. When I have the details on the events, I will post them on this site.
The following list of places where youngsters and adults can get help can be used in the meantime by people who need help or want to offer it.
ProLiteracy Worldwide is a national agency that has information on adult literacy providers nationwide. You can contact them at 888 528-2224, or by writing to them at 1320 Jamesville Ave., Syracuse, N.Y. 13210 or emailing them at info@proliteracy.org.
Students can take adult basic education or English as a second languate courses for free at Literacy Advance, 2424 Wilcrest, #120, Houston, TX 77042 (713) 266-8777 or at their Bay Area office at 1300 Bay area Blvd. Houston, TX 77058 (281) 282-6013. This is where I am tutoring and it has been as rewarding to me as to my student. To become a tutor, it is necessary only to take one 6-hour workshop. Literacy Advance asks tutors to teach a two-hour session, twice a week. They are quite flexible about the hours enabling tutors and students to do the work when it is convenient for both. For those who work typical hours, Monday through Friday, classes can be scheduled in the early evening and on Saturday. There is a waiting list for tutors and students can work the program on a limited basis as they wait for regular instruction. Literacy Advance has had great success in enabling students to fill out job applications and qualify for entry level jobs. Some students have been able to get their GEDs and some have even enrolled in college.
The Neuhaus Education Center works with children who have learning problems such as ADD and dyslexia. Their staff is highly trained in this field. Their services are not free, but they do offer scholarships to some needy children. They can be reached at 713 664-7676 or by writing to 4433 Bissonet, Houston, TX 77401. They have earned a good reputation for early intervention and have had remarkable success with enabling youngsters to overcome their learning problems.
I am still in the process of identifying other agencies that address different aspects og the illiteracy problem. As I get more information on these programs, I will add them to this part of my website.
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