by Caroline Gabsewics
Staff Writer
Dick Williams, Learn to Read Jacksonville’s new executive director, is the latest in a small, but growing group of business leaders that are taking the reins of local non-profit organizations.
Audrey Moran became the I.M. Sulzbacher Center’s executive director in October and ironically Williams’ first day was also Karen Brune Mathis’ first day as the new executive director at Dreams Come True.
It has been seven weeks since Williams took the job at Learn to Read, and although he said he is still learning, Williams said he loves what he is doing.
“It is a way to give back and I am so glad to be doing this,” he said.
Williams previously spent 34 years in broadcast journalism, managing radio stations in Milwaukee, St. Louis, Nashville and Jacksonville. For the past six years he managed the five Cox Radio stations here in Jacksonville.
“I left Cox Radio interested in retiring, but after several months, I found I was not ready to retire,” said Williams. “It was time for a second career and this gave me a chance to do something I couldn’t do before.”
Although this is his first job working for a non-profit organization, Williams has served on the board of many non-profits. He spent five years as a board member of Junior Achievement of Northeast Florida and, through that, was able to get to know a lot of people in the non-profit sector.
Rena Coughlin of the Nonprofit Center of Northeast Florida told Williams about the executive director position that was opening at Learn to Read.
“I talked to the president of the board (of Learn to Read) a few times,” he said. “But it came down to the fact that I love the work they do here.
“I was astounded with the statistics of those who are functionally illiterate.”
He said there are currently 128,000 adults in Duval County who read at the lowest basic reading level — third grade or lower.
“Learn to Read is the only organization that provides free one-on-one tutoring,” he said.
Over the past seven weeks, Williams has discovered that illiteracy doesn’t discriminate and there’s no such thing as the stereotypical illiterate person.
“They all have jobs, albeit low paying, but they are supporting a family, too,” said Williams.
Some of the students’ goals include getting their GED with the hope of moving up in the business world.
“One gentleman said his goal was to write his wife a letter for her birthday and sign the card,” said Williams.
Currently there are 600 adults ages 16 and up that are utilizing Learn to Read’s services.
Learn to Read offers three programs: adult basic education, English as a second language and workplace literacy. Williams said he wants to expand the workplace literacy program through a partnership with large companies. Those companies would their employees to tutor fellow employees.
“Right now our core business is the volunteer-based, one-on-one tutoring,” he said. “It’s what sets us apart.
“But our two biggest needs are funding and volunteers. Our capacity can grow with additional funding and more volunteers.”
He added that they have about 100 volunteers, some of whom tutor more than one student. Students can contact Learn to Read themselves or be referred.
Students go through a 90-minute assessment to determine their reading level. Following the assessment, they go to the computer lab to do a basic phonics program. Following the initial appointment the student will be matched up with a tutor. The two of them will decide when and where to meet.
“The tutors meet with their student twice a week for one to two hours,” said Williams. “Progress reports are done along the way to determine if they need any additional training.”
Tutors are asked to volunteer for at least a year, but some have been volunteering for several years.
Even though it has been less than two months, Williams said he is working with Learn to Read’s board of directors and executive committee to set a strategic plan for the organization. There are five people on staff, three of whom work on recruiting volunteers.
“My job is to reach out to the community for funding,” he said. “About 75 percent of funds come from individual donations.”
Williams added that they receive a small amount of funding from the City through a public service grant and a small amount from the United Way.
Williams believes more and more business leaders will look for their second career in the non-profit sector.
“Look to see more business leaders that will step over to this side,” he said. “The business community can bring a certain strategic approach to growing non-profits.
“It (non-profits) is a business. You still need to generate a profit and grow in order for the organization to succeed.”