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Sharing The Gift Of Reading

Sharing The Gift Of Reading

Community Voices@ EPA.net Posted 2/4/05 Literacy student and volunteer tutor working together Sharing The Gift Of Reading Compartiendo el Regalo de Leer San Mateo County READS: new name, same mission By Aisha Langford, Literacy Specialist San Mateo County READS The adult literacy program once known as Project Read has changed its name to San Mateo County READS and expanded its services to residents throughout San Mateo County, focusing especially on the unincorporated areas. Even though the name has changed, local residents have no need to worry. San Mateo County READS will continue to offer the same great learning and volunteer opportunities. As many people know, San Mateo County READS is a service of the San Mateo County Library and provides free one-to-one tutoring to English speaking adults, ages 16 and older, who are reading at or below the 8th grade level. The program also offers life and job skills workshops, as well as group classes. San Mateo County READS students and literacy specialist Aisha Langford at a book club discussion. New classes for winter and spring include a "Fast Pass Literacy Class" that will focus on writing (every Monday from 11:50am -12:50pm) and a "Pre-Reading Enrichment Class" for parents and children ages 0-5 (every Tuesday from 8:00am - 9:30am). The lack of literacy skills is a serious problem in our country and is evident in all socio-economic levels, races and ethnic groups. The United States ranks 49th in literacy out of the 156 member countries of the United Nations. Limited reading restricts a person's ability to fully function at work, at home and in their community. Accessing and comprehending health care information is also more difficult, resulting in an estimated annual cost of 73 billion dollars in the form of longer hospital stays, emergency room and doctor visits, and increased medication. San Mateo County READS early and adult literacy staff at the library's administrative offices in San Mateo. Parents with low literacy are less likely to be able to help their children with homework and other school related projects, hence the cycle of low-literacy can be perpetuated. In responding to these needs, a library-based adult literacy program can make a difference. A literate population is not only good for the individual, it is good for the whole community. For more information about the program, becoming a volunteer, or if you know someone who would benefit from these services, please call 650.323.0362 x 231. You can also find out more on the San Mateo County READS web page.

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