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By LISA G. CURRIE
Rappahannock News Staff Writer
Many adult residents of Rappahannock County cannot read this article. They may look at the photographs and recognize the faces. They may recognize artwork and other images in the pages before and after.
The words they can not, or can barely, decipher. Many adults in Rappahannock County are functionally illiterate - meaning not reading or reading with limited ability.
Literacy Volunteers of America - Rappahannock (LVA), a group of 28 local citizens, many past school teachers, many just concerned citizens, can help.
The volunteers can help adults learn to read, free of charge, under strict confidentiality regulations.
The tutors are willing. The students must come forward.
“The problem that besets us is that adults who cannot read are rather shy,” said literacy volunteer and LVA board member Lee Bird, adding those with the problem may funtion to a degree in our society, concealing their literacy problem from friends and often family members.
It’s not a problem of the destitute or underprivilaged. In recent years, people from all walks of life have come forward, admitting to their problem and receiving help - people like teachers, military servicemen, truck drivers, mothers, fathers and grandparents.
But the embarrassment of admitting to being illiterate still turns many away from help.
“This is why we have strict confidentiality controls,” Mr. Bird said of the group, offering no names or home locations of the persons involved. He added the desire to read the Bible or for job improvement are main incentives for people coming forward.
Learning to read offers more than just the above.
Being able to read and write opens doors which once were closed. Opinions can be stated, read, objected to; places can be visited which were once off limits; foods which were once just desires can be bought, ordered or paid for; books can be opened, enjoyed and treasured. Friends can remain together through correspondence.
All in all, reading has many advantages.
Literacy tutors can help make all of that happen. Willingness and time is all the tutors ask.
The reading program offered by the literacy tutors in Rappahannock follows the guidelines established by Literacy Volunteers of America, a nationally supported group headquartered in Syracuse, New York. Affiliation with the group provides Rappahannock tutors with books and other written material, methods for teaching and tutoring, group standards and a tax-exempt status. The reading program uses several techniques, including phonics and whole language methods.
“The progam is free to anyone who needs us,” Mr. Bird said, adding presently the group has 12 tutors and only two students.
The group hopes to change this. “We want to reach out and get community support as much as possible,” Mr. Bird said.
“We have links to several groups in the community,” Mr. Bird said, adding through these links the group hopes to reach those who have the need.
Working with the Child Care and Learning Center, (CCLC), the tutors hope to gain access to parents of children who may need reading assistance. “Some of the children do not speak English as a native language,” Mr. Bird said, adding with all probability their parents do not read or write English.
Using Susan Fox, the drop-out prevention coordinator in the county’s public schools and a board member of the literacy volunteers, the group hopes to become acquainted with local parents who may need reading help.
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