Project Literacy
Because we believe that those more fortunate should assist those less so, the members of Phi Xi chapter consider service to the community in the field of literacy an important component of Sigma Tau Delta membership. Each Spring the chapter runs "Lyrics for Literacy" or "$hakespeare'$ $onnet$ for Project Literacy" during which we "sell" poems for a dollar a line to donors who then read them in Ferguson Center on or around William Shakespeare's birthday (April 23). In 1999 we raised $1,251 which allows Tuscaloosa County to provide needed materials to adult new readers free of charge. In the last year, under the leadership of Vice President Allen Gamel, over twenty chapter members, including the sponsor, have become adult literacy tutors. Her informational and motivational article, which follows, appeared in the Fall 1999 Sigma Tau Delta Newsletter.
- Note: on April 24 our chapter again had a fundraiser for Lyrics for Literacy at The University of Alabama Student Center, and raised more than $1,400--and we're still counting! Our sincere thanks to all donors and participants!
As a member of Sigma Tau Delta, you take for granted your ability to read this. But what if it looked like
, and you could make nothing of it while others read
it and chuckled or nodded? Such is the plight of the more than
50 million adult Americans, over 20% of our population, who are functionally illiterate. This means they cannot read a menu, a newspaper, a note from their child's teacher, or their Bible; they
also have great trouble filling out job applications, following
directions for taking medication, taking drivers' tests, and understanding election ballots. Often functional illiteracy is
passed from one generation to the next and is related to poverty, crime, poor health, low self-esteem and a sense of powerlessness.
One of the "Goals 2000" projected by the Bush and Clinton administrations was that America be fully literate by the end of the century. However, a recent review has determined that this goal will not be met. Indeed, the adult literacy rate is worse now than when the project began.
According to its constitutional mission and purpose, Sigma Tau Delta is to "serve society by fostering literacy." Thus a natural service enterprise for an organization whose members love language and its artful and effective use is to become involved in teaching adults basic reading and writing skills. As the STD Handbook says, "Sigma Tau Delta can have a positive impact on communities, especially in areas related to literacy, language, and teaching."
Perhaps the most effective way to increase adult literacy is volunteer one-on-one tutoring. In fact, the philosophy of Laubach Literacy International is "Each one teach one." Literacy programs work hard to create a comfortable, relaxed, and supportive atmosphere for their tutors. In most volunteer programs tutors are trained in a workshop and then meet with their students twice a week, for an hour or so each time.
Outside of the training, though, the most important qualifications
for a tutor are patience, a good sense of humor, and a caring attitude. In light of the increased interest in service in Sigma Tau Delta, working with adult literacy would be a worthy consideration indeed.
Not only is it a worthy consideration but it is also a personally fulfilling endeavor. I know this because I served as a county adult literacy coordinator for ten years. I've seen new confidence and self-esteem enter the lives of adults who have always longed for the ability to read and write. There's no look like the look on the face of an adult who has learned how to read. You can read that look for yourself as your student's
volunteer tutor.
Adult literacy programs can use other forms of support too. Volunteer programs always need funds for the purchase of literacy materials. Here at The University of Alabama we began supporting literacy by fundraising and now are also very actively involved in volunteer tutoring. To learn about adult literacy opportunities in your area, contact your local adult education program and libraries. The two largest national literacy organizations, with chapters throughout the country, can be contacted on the Web: Laubach Literacy Action at www.laubach.org and Literacy Volunteers of America at www. literacyvolunteers.org. Or, contact me at gamel001@bama.ua.edu.