by Joe Wilhelm Jr.
Staff Writer
The easiest of tasks can often be taken for granted, such as reading a menu at a restaurant. One in five adults in Duval County would have trouble with this task, according to a 2003 National Assessment of Adult Literacy. The study reveals that one in five residents read at the most basic literacy level.
It is the mission of Learn to Read Jacksonville to fix this problem and help eliminate adult illiteracy in Jacksonville. The literacy rate has improved in the River City, ranked No. 47.5 with Dallas in 2007, which was up from 50th place in 2005.
“We need to help those adults who don’t know how to read,” said attorney Moses Meide, a member of Learn to Read Jacksonville’s board of directors. “The biggest hurdle is for them to make that call and admit they don’t know how to read.”
Meide was a member of the board of directors from 2001-07, stepped down from the board for a year and rejoined in July, 2008.
“For the first couple years, I took in what was going on with the program,” said Meide. “I didn’t realize that there were so many people that didn’t know how to read in Duval County. The sad thing is they came out of our school system.”
Meide described his involvement with the organization as an organizer and fundraiser, and he also took the tutor class to find out what they go through.
“I wanted to see what has to be done for somebody who can’t read,” said Meide. “You have to have a lot of patience. It’s hard to teach someone how to read.”
Learn to Read Jacksonville is a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving adult literacy in Duval County. Some of its programs include “Jacksonville Reads.”
The program is open to anyone 16 or older who is not enrolled in a traditional school program. It was developed to help adults with fourth grade or below literacy abilities. Tutors, groups, literacy classes and a computer lab are available to students in the program. Workbooks and supplemental materials are provided at no cost to active students and tutors. English as a Second Language and Workplace Literacy programs are also available.
“Learn to Read offers a program that bridges the gap so people can get into a GED program at FCCJ,” said Troy K. Smith, of Rogers Towers and a new member of the board of directors of Learn to Read. “At the recent retreat, it was great to see the enthusiasm the board members have to make sure we can secure the funding to get through this tough economic time.”
A recession has made it difficult on the program and its executive director Heather Corey sent a letter to City Council asking for its continued support.
“We would gratefully accept any amount you could find in your heart to give. We all have our own responsibilities, and we recognize that these uncertain economic times have affected many of us,” said Corey. “Learn to Read is no exception. We are currently experiencing a 45 percent decline in contributions; to date, we have a budget shortfall of $29,000.”
The program’s “Kiss the Pig” fundraiser is scheduled to finish on May 5 at a Jacksonville Suns baseball game and another event “Read Between the Wines” is scheduled for June 11.
For more information on the program or how to become a tutor, contact Learn to Read Jacksonville at 399-8894 or online at www.ltrjax.org
356-2466