If you know someone with reading challenges, or want to volunteer contact your local literacy group. In Forsyth County, go to www.literacyforsyth.com.
Forsyth County has one of the fastest growing and affluent populations in the nation along with an award winning school system.
Yet, here and in many other places in Georgia and America there is a dirty little secret: one in every ten adults is functionally illiterate, a term defining people whose reading and writing skills are inadequate to meet the everyday needs of modern life.
Annaliza Thomas, executive director of Literacy Forsyth says there are a host of reasons for illiteracy in the U.S. It can be a consequence of poverty, learning disabilities or a history of illiteracy within a family. There are also individuals whose primary language is not English. Thomas estimates their target demographic at around 16,000 people. That includes those needing basic reading tutoring, individuals learning English as a second language and an estimated 13,000 without a high school education.
Her agency, supported by United Way and other donations works with schools, libraries and even jails to tutor groups and individuals to enhance their reading and writing to at least a 6th grade level. For many, these classes provide a second chance to prepare for a better life through a GED test. which could open doors to places such as Lanier Tech, an institution otherwise closed to young adult dropouts who have come to realize a high school diploma is more valuable than just a piece of paper.
With a small paid staff of retired teachers, and a group of committed volunteers, Thomas’ organization serves approximately 1,300 people annually. Literacy Forsyth helps around 100 students get a high school equivalency diploma each year. In addition, they assist hundreds more improve basic reading skills and provide help for non-English speaking residents working to acquire sufficient language skills to take and pass the U.S. Citizenship Exam.
Chances are, there are people you know with good jobs who struggle to read well enough when it counts the most.
One of Thomas’ former clients was a skilled welder in his 40’s with a reputation for excellence in his trade. He came for help when he knew he would have difficulty taking a required certification test. Or the older successful local farmer who, after his wife died, sought help because he no longer had her help to read the newspaper or anything else.
Many in the community and nation are disadvantaged by the “glass ceiling” of illiteracy in earning potential, civic participation, and raising their own children. Thomas says parents who can’t read sufficiently generally raise kids who are also unsuccessful in school.
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