Literacy Impacts Everyone!

I came to Washtenaw Literacy to volunteer because I wanted to help someone. In my previous work I came across many adults who utilized their creativity in good ways and bad to cover-up their inability to read. And so I came to the Agency with the idea of helping someone who struggled with reading. I was nervous when I was assigned my first learner. I realized through the tutor training I received, that teaching adults to read is a lot different than teaching children. What I began to realize in those first few sessions with my learner is that my preconceived notions about tutoring were all wrong. What my learner needed most was a guide, someone who could assist in their learning process and guide them to success.

From that point forward, I learned as much from my learner as they did from working with me. I also volunteered to help out in the office for a time, just answering the phones, handling the mail and greeting people who stopped in to inquire about services. I’ll never forget the day a gentleman walked into the office and inquired about what we do at Washtenaw Literacy. I proceeded to tell him that we help people learn to read, to write, and we help them with communication skills. My instinct in this moment was to be patient and quiet as I sensed that he was struggling with something. He asked what it cost to get help. My reply was only your time. He stood there for a moment avoiding my gaze as I realized that tears were starting to stream down his face. He proceeded to admit that he couldn’t read and wanted help because he wanted to make his granddaughter proud! He wanted to read to her and at this point he couldn’t. In that moment, I so admired his courage and his willingness to be vulnerable. People like him are the reason I support this work! Won’t you join me in supporting this work? Literacy should be a right, not a privilege!