We want to acknowledge one of the Premier Literacy Providers in the Greater Sacramento Area, The Sacramento Public Library.

Under the direction of its’ Coordinator, Jackie Miller, this group of dedicated ladies have devoted their full time efforts to improving the literacy skills of adults in the Sacramento area.

Their program was established in 1984 with a grant from the California State Library and since that time they have striven to make Sacramento County a more literate community. Their program provides free one-on-one tutoring to English speaking adults who want to improve their basic reading and writing skills.

They offer fourteen hour training sessions to volunteers, who are willing to contribute 1 ½ to 2 hours of their time weekly in working with adults in their communities. (They have trained many Rotarians to become tutors.) The training and materials for the tutor and for the learner are provided at no charge. The Literacy staff continues to provide assistance and support to the tutors and learners throughout the learning process. Tutoring space is available at most library locations and at many other public sites.

HOW CAN YOU HELP?

Consider being a tutor. If you are 18 or older, able to read and speak English clearly and are willing to:

Tutor at least once a week (1 ½ to 2 hours);
Attend a 14-hour tutor workshop for certification in The Laubach Way to Reading and;
Participate in 1-hour workshops offered during the year to reinforce your tutoring skills.

You can become a Certified Tutor.

The Laubach Way to Reading is based on a multi-sensory approach to learning, with an emphasis on phonics. This method has been in use since 1930 and has been very successful.

HOW ELSE CAN YOU HELP?

The United States Department of Education has estimated that up to 49% of our adult population is functionally illiterate. It is estimated that there are over 230,000 adults in Sacramento County who need help in improving their literacy skills. With these numbers, it is very likely that you know an adult, who needs help to improve their reading and writing skills. It is sometimes very difficult for an adult to admit they need help and many hesitate to ask. You may be able to help someone by simply encouraging that person to call the Literacy staff. The person must be 18 or older, be able to speak English and be willing to meet with a volunteer tutor weekly (1 ½ to 2 hours) and agree to remain in the program for a minimum of six months or until he or she attains their goal.

The Literacy staff includes:

Jackie Miller, Coordinator (jmiller@saclibrary.org)
Judith Alvi, Literacy Service Representative (jalvi@saclibrary.org)
Teresa Gutierrez, Literacy Service Representative (tgutierrez@saclibrary.org)
Mary Van Orden, Literacy Service Representative (916) 966-7323

The Literacy staff is ready, willing and able to help new learners begin the learning process.

Get involved; help someone change their life through this free program.

THE ONLY DEGREE YOU NEED TO TUTOR, IS A DEGREE OF CARING.