Council honors Adult Literacy
Awareness Month, FLAIR seeks tutors
September 10, 2014
By Peggy Kelly
Santa Paula News
Adult Literacy Awareness Month was recognized by the City Council with a proclamation to the literacy services coordinator of Blanchard Community Library.
Councilman Martin Hernandez presented the proclamation to Wendy Batstone at the September 3 meeting, noting that literacy is a “civic right... citizens governed by written law should be able to read written law.”
Low literacy skills, said Hernandez, “Creates a barrier to full civic engagement... and a child’s first teacher is a parent or caregiver,” and adults must know how to read to help teach their children and provide a role model of literacy.
Furthermore, literacy of the populace is required to help “grow and sustain a robust economy,” and Hernandez said the impacts of low literacy - recent studies indicate that 23 percent of state residents lack basic literacy skills - cost the nation overall about $25 billion dollars each year.
Blanchard Community Library’s FLAIR (Family Literacy Aid in Reading) and other literacy programs not only provide the opportunity for adults to learn how to read and other language skills but also gives others the chance to become volunteer tutors.
“It’s a powerful ability to help adults build a literate and engaged community,” said Hernandez.
Local programs are part of the statewide network of literacy services that this year is celebrating its 30th anniversary.
Said Hernandez, “We commend the efforts of volunteers and adult learners and urge all citizens to promote literacy in their homes and community... “
Batstone screened a short video that told of a high school graduate and Marine Sgt. veteran who could only read to a 3rd grade level but like others was able to hide his lack of literacy.
When he decided to learn to read the next step was attending college.
“... it was like a dream, amazing,” he said. “It’s never too late to improve your life... “
Following the film Batstone said, “I do want to put out the word to our community... we need tutors we have lots of learners,” including those that she said people might know without realizing they cannot read that “work around the system,” and are even business owners.
But their lack of literacy is embarrassing, and can be especially so around their children.
“We need tutors,” said Batstone who urged those interested to contact the BCL FLAIR program at 805-525-2384 or email flairlit@hotmail.com
