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Home My WebLink AboutAgenda Report - September 6, 2006 D-02aAGENDA ITEM D -61a IsCITY OF LORI COUNCIL COMMUNICATION tM AGENWA TITLE: International Literacy Day MEETING DATE: September 6, 2006 PREPARED BY: Literacy Services Coordinator RECOMMENDED ACTION: That Mayor Hitchcock present a proclamation proclaiming Friday, September 8, 2006, as "International Literacy Day" in the City of Lodi. BACKGROUND INFORMATION: The Mayor has been requested to present a proclamation proclaiming Friday, September 8, 2006, as "International Literacy Day" in the City of Lodi. Stephanie Allen, Literacy Services Coordinator, will be at the meeting to accept the proclamation. FISCAL IMPACT: None FUNDING AVAILABLE: NIA h L dA1 Stephanie Allen Literacy Services Coordinator APPROVED: Blair , City Manager Programs AccomyCuhments Fiscaf year 20o5 2oo6 sago .fours e. f ` rofurrteer Service given 6y 83 tried tutors (Dollar 'Vafue x93, 627, o o) 37 Wtw "Volunteer frutors snatched with Aduft learners 96 .adult Learners 2 eceivedlnstruction 256 Persomi4Academic and Career Goals set and met fry AduCt Learners ST il, )6 IES D0 a iscovering a Through Literacy By Stephsele Allen SRECfAL TO THE NEWS-SEHRNEL nternational Literacy Day will be commem- orated worldwide on September 8. Here in Lodi, International Liter- acy Day will be celebrated with a celebration at the Veteran's Plaza, and a spe- cial proclamation from the Lodi City Council. As this 39th annual Interna- tional Literacy Day ap- proaches, what is the state of adult literacy in Amer- ica? A new report from the U. S Dept. of Educa- tion describes the status of adult literacy in the U.8. According to the re- port. 144,. of American adults are functionally il- literate. A recent NY Times article reported that the U.S. ranks 49th in the world in literacy. In California, 3 million native English-speaking adults are considered functionally illiterate. Functional illiteracy means being unable to perform daily life skills like paying bills, under- standing instructions on medicine bottles, or read- ing safety manuals. Does this problem exist in Lodi? Unfortunately, the answer is yes. An esti- mated twenty percent of Lodi's adult population is classified as functionally illiterate. Illiteracy af- fects not only individuals, but reaches deep into the heart and soul of our com- munity. Illiteracy often passes from one generation to the next. A child from a home in which the parents can- not read is twice as likely to do poorly in school and in life. Over 65% of incarcerat- ed adults read below a high school level. Over 40% of the work- force does not have basic skills for their job. Only 15% of jobs now require unskilled laborers, creat- ing a huge demand for bet- ter -educated and higher - skilled workers. Adults demonstrating z the greatest need for liter- acy instruction are likely to have less than a high school education, to be un- employed or underem- ployed, to be living in poverty, and to shrink from participation in civic actions such as voting. Fortunately, there is help available. Adult liter- acy programs, specifically designed to work with il- literate and low -literate adults, can and do make a difference in the lives of these adults. Participation in adult literacy programs is related to such positive outcomes as increased em- ployment, higher earn- ings and voting. These positive results have a "ripple effect" on the com- munity, decreasing socie- tal problems such as do- mestic and substance abuse, and increasing tax dollars and civic partici- pation. If you would like to sup- port literacy in your com- munity, here are some ways that you can help: Become a volunteer for the Adult Literacy Ser- vices program at Lodi Public Library. You can volunteer as a literacy tu- tor, a trainer, or help with fund-raising events. You can also help by becoming a literacy supporter in your community. Ways to help include contributing money, nfaterials or equip- ment, becoming a literacy advocate, publicizing the program and recruiting volunteers, providing tu- toring space at your place of business, and posting information about Adult Literacy Services in the. community. Make an investment in the future by helping an adult improve their litera- cy skills. Helping low -lit- erate parents improve ba- sic skills has a direct and measurable impact not on- ly on their lives but also on the lives of their chil- dren. Give the gift of read- ing and help create a bet- ter tomorrow. Fbr more in- formation call 333-5554 or email literacy@lodili- brary.org. DU M rA re, a Ll AT By Stephanie Allen SPECIAL TO THE NEWS-SENTI NEL armen has spent a lifetime working, first in the fields pick- ing peach- es and cherries, then' as a cannery worker and as a school cus- todian at Tokay High School. While working as acustodian, Car- men earned her cosmetology li- cense and eventually went to work at a local salon. Semi -retired now, Carmen finally has a chance to pursue dreams that were put on hold during the many years of work and raising a family. She told her husband and three daughters that "Now is my time - I want to do something for me." Carmen, who grew up in Mexico and came to the U.S. when she was 15, attended school only sporadi- cally during her childhood years, and reached adulthood lacking confidence in her reading and writing abilities. After immigrat- ing to the U.S,, she was also faced with the challenge of learning to speak English well enough to find work and to manage her daily re- sponsibilities. Though Carmen learned to speak English profi- ciently enough to gain employ- ment, she longed for more. She wanted to improve her ability to read and write in English, enough so that she could fulfill a secret dream. "I want to someday write a book about my experience as an immigrant and be published," says Carmen. Carmen came to the Adult Wer- ANGELINA GMA51/NEWS-SENTINEL Lodi literacy Tutor Jan Alexander reads with her student Carmen Padilla at the Lodi public Library, acy program several years ago seeking help" in improving her English reading and writing skills. She began working with a volun- teer tutor named Carol. During their tutoring relationship, Carol and Carmen developed a strong friendship, eventually even going on a cruise together which Car- men describes as "really fun!" As Carmen's skills increased, Carol felt that Carmen needed another tutor - one with expertise in teach- ing writing to help her achieve her goal of becoming a published writer. When new tutor Jan Alexander expressed an interest in tutoring a student with a special interest in writing, Literacy Coordinator Stephanie Allen knew it was a per- fect fit. The two began meeting to- gether only recently, but already Carmen feels that she has made tremendous progress. She espe- cially likes the way that Jan gives her understandable explanations for the corrections that she makes on her writing. During her time in the literacy program, Carmen's self-assurance has increased dramatically - enough so that she now has the confidence to dream even bigger dreams for her future, As her skills improve, Carmen hopes to someday become an interpreter and to earn her real estate license. "These are my dreams, and I don't think I'm too old. I'm going to study all my life because I like it." Carmen feels fortunate to have found help at the literacy pro- gram, and is grateful to her two tu- tors for the assistance they have given her. "I thank God for my tu- tors and for this program, because now I feel better about myself and I have more confidence," says Car- men. "I pray that this program will always continue. And maybe some- day I can be a tutor too," VOLUNTIRERM Is VALUABLE Si � ANM SPEEL Jim Watson isafirm.belliever in the value of vvlunteerim - but he certainly never expected to find himself sigi1in=onas,an. adult literacy triton Jim's put volunteer experience inetutied seven years coaching Pop Warner. football. He alai, spent time as a youth basketball coach. A career change left Jimmith some extra time on his hands, ra id he decided to look for a new volunteer oppor=. . tunity. One dag while on a visit to the IibnuiX.he sew a poster Seek- ing volunteers for the Adult- Liter-acy program. Jim aidniits that he had no idea what W Otpeet-when he made an appoinhnentto speak with Literacy Coordinator Stephanie Alletti . bat "she ex- plained: every mi g :and made it easy to get started Jim began worldpg with.his as - months ago. Even so, JiW las al- ready Seen Dag m*e a signM- cant amount of prugtess `lt is very rewardin¢wlsen you can.ac- tually watch them comprehend session. ThattheYunderstaato what you'd teachlag - it's it t` gratification and very reward= ing." .tun adds, "The staff atthe liter acy office has made it a very easy. transition from bentg someone who hose ttaught Iiefore to 1W cominga:sgcGesstal tutor:" His advice to paten" -Do Itt. Volunteering for Owthing°is a '- good way to help your community and a worthwhile use of your time." Z4Z_ Lodi News - erose in this r,4ublication and the Lodi News -Sentinel, call the Display Advertising Department at (203} 369.27