The LaPorte Literacy Coalition

Who we are

The LaPorte Literacy Coalition's adult literacy program is a cooperative educational endeavor of the LaPorte community (clubs and churches, individuals, business, social services), the LaPorte County Public Library, Portage Adult Education and the Indiana Adult Literacy Coalition. A Literacy Speakers Bureau is available to inform your group about adult literacy as a local and national issue. To schedule a speaker, phone 326-5318.

What we do

The LaPorte Literacy Coalition is a non-profit organization offering free tutoring to adults of all ages who are unable to read, or are reading below fifth-grade level. Students are carefully evaluated and matched with tutors who work with them weekly on a one-to-one basis. Students who reach fifth-grade level are encouraged to work toward their GED and are referred to the LaPorte High School or Kankakee Valley Job GED programs. With a private tutor, students have the benefit of studying at their own pace, toward their own goals, and with materials matched to their needs. They gain the friendship and support of their tutors, who are trained to teach and understand adult learners.

How to Identify Non-readers

EMPLOYERS

• A prospective employee may take the application form home to fill out, citing one of the following reasons:
  • "I forgot/broke my glasses."
  • "I don't remember my references, work dates, addresses."
  • "I hurt my hand/wrist."
  • "I am in a hurry. I don't have time to do it now."
• An employee may use the same reasons when asked to do paperwork.
• An emplyee may often ask another: "What did you think about yesterday's memo?"
• An employee may always or frequently ask for oral clarification of written instructions.
• An employee may forego on-the-job training and promotions/opportunities.

TEACHERS

• You may never receive a written note from the parent.
• You may not get a response to a written note sent home to a parent.
• You may get a verbal response to this effect: "Johnny must have lost the note you sent home," or "I accidentally washed the note you sent home with Susie. Can you tell me what you wanted?"
• Forms send home for the parent to fill out may come back incomplete or not filled out at all.
• A parent may come in belligerent in response to a note.
• A non-reading parent may not listen to his/her child's reading lessons or help the child with any written work.

IN GENERAL

• An adult may always order a hamburger or what companions order to eat.
• An adult may never read the newspaper but may possibly carry one around to look as though he/she does.
• An adult may never refer to written notes nor write them.
• An adult may have trouble reading handwriting of others.
• An adult may always be too busy to stop and read something, no matter how important.

One in every five Indiana residents cannot read well enough to:

Meet personal objectives

Meet society's demands.

Solve everyday problems.

When you can't read or write, it is difficult:

to support your family: 90% of welfare recipients read below an eighth-grade level. Job advancement is more difficult.

to manage everyday life. You need more help to:

• read or write a letter
• fill out a job application
• use a phone book
• shop for food
• read instructions on medications
• read street and highway signs help your children with their school work or simply read them a story

How you and your organization can help someone learn to read:

View a nonreader as one with untapped potential.

Volunteer your tutoring, office or other skills.

Provide funding -- the LaPorte Literacy Coalition depends upon community support.

Build community awareness by inviting a Literacy Program speaker to give a presentation to your group.

Tell potential students and tutors about the program. Call 362-6156.

Provide space for tutoring.

To become a volunteer tutor:	After you are a tutor:
1. Call 362-6156. (No teaching experience is necessary.)	1. You will be introduced to a student whose skills have been evaluated.	2. Be willing to commit one hour per week for at least three months. (Students and tutors mutually agree on a schedule.)	2. Resources will be provided, including a private study area.
3. Attend tutor training.	3. Follow-through support is provided.

Want to know more about literacy?

Family Learning from the Family Literacy Center at Indiana University

Indiana Web sites for literacy and learning disabilities

The (12-state) Midwest Adult Literacy Network

The National Center on Adult Literacy of the U.S. Department of Education

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