What you’re doing is beyond the ability of about 20 percent of Duval County residents.
Being able to read a newspaper or a note from a child’s teacher or instructions on medication is impossible if you can’t decipher letters and words.
That has a profound effect on someone’s life.
For nearly 50 years, Learn to Read has been teaching those basic skills to adults in Jacksonville.
The nonprofit was recognized as a state leader last week when it received the Excellence in Education Award at the Florida Literacy Coalition’s 32nd annual Literacy Conference in St. Petersburg.
“For us to win a state award, we think that’s a big deal,” said Executive Director Judy Bradshaw.
The effects of illiteracy go beyond not being able to read words on a page or screen.
According to the Literacy Project Foundation:
• In the U.S., 45 million people are functionally illiterate and read below fifth-grade level.
• Fifty percent of Americans cannot read a book written at the eighth-grade level.
• Nearly 75 percent of people on welfare can’t read.
• Sixty percent of people in prison can’t read.
• Twenty percent of Americans read below the level needed to earn a living wage.
It’s been several years since a local literacy study was conducted, but 20 percent of the population being functionally illiterate “sounds about right,” said Bradshaw.
She leads a group of three full-time and four part-time staff members. With headquarters and classrooms in the Adult Learning Center at the Main Library Downtown, Learn to Read helped nearly 500 people do just that last year.
Classes also are conducted Downtown at Community Connections.
The organization expanded its operation last year to Northwest Jacksonville, with classes at Olga L. Bradham and Etta L. Brooks branch library.
Many students have learning disabilities that make it difficult for them to succeed in school, said Bradshaw.
Others were challenged due to lack of parental support. In many cases, parents who can’t read raise children who can’t read.
“When they got behind, there was no one to help them,” said Bradshaw.
The majority of clients read at or below sixth-grade level. Learn to Read is likely their last chance to change the direction of their life, Bradshaw said.
The organization depends on volunteer teachers and tutors and more are needed.
“We’re at an all-time high for students and an all-time low for volunteers,” said Bradshaw.
Students begin their instruction in a computer lab at the library before transitioning to one-on-one learning with a tutor. There’s a waiting list of students who need instructors.
“We could use 50 more tutors,” Bradshaw said.
After a background check, potential tutors take two online classes, then participate in a workshop at the Main Library.
When they complete the training, volunteers commit to at least one hour per week teaching someone to read.
Bradshaw said the organization is planning an expansion this year, including starting a class in New Town, west of Interstate 95 between Kings Road and West Beaver Street.
“We’re also talking to the sheriff’s office about starting classes in the jail and we’re working with the Jacksonville Journey. The crime rate correlates to literacy,” said Bradshaw.
In conjunction with the education award from the literacy coalition, Learn to Read received a $2,500 grant from Northwest Federal Credit Union.
Bradshaw said the grant will improve how the nonprofit serves its clients.
“It has been a long time since we’ve been able to do staff development and training. We hope to use it for that,” she said.
For details about how to become a tutor, visit learntoreadjax.org.
@DRMaxDowntown
(904) 356-2466