The Redlands Adult Literacy Program is preparing to publish its sixth volume of Our Stories, A Collection of Writings, composed of writings from adult learners and tutors who participate in the Redlands Adult Literacy program.
The anthology includes writings that express empathy and gratitude for those who have impacted the authors’ lives, reflections about home or books that the authors have read, significant memories of family and friends, recollections of unexpected happenings, and stories about being close to nature.
Through their writing, participants of the literacy program describe the challenges they face due to their low reading and writing skills and the joy they experience when they learn to read and write proficiently. “It is very hard to live on our world if you cannot read,” wrote one learner who is working diligently with his tutor to improve his reading skills. His dreams are to be able to comfortably read in public and share stories with his grandchild.
Another learner shared that her mother is a housewife who is the hardest worker in her entire village. Her mom had big dreams for her children. The adult learner wrote, “My mom does not know how to read and write. She sent us all to school.” Education is an important part of her family because her mother knows the struggles of those who cannot read and write and the opportunities that arise when people are educated.
Stories in this collection reflect the wide range of writing levels of adults in the literacy program. Each author worked diligently through the writing process with the assistance of a volunteer tutor. By working with their tutors, learners develop vital literacy skills that help them overcome obstacles in their lives.
On September 19th, the Redlands City Council will consider the approval of a proclamation declaring Sunday, September 24th, Adult Literacy Day in Redlands. In prior years the City Council declared Adult Literacy Day to emphasize the importance of literacy in employment, family education, and civic engagement. To further celebrate the life-changing impact of literacy, the Redlands community is invited to join the Adult Literacy Program in its Celebration of Authors on Sunday, September 24th at 2:00 p.m. at the Contemporary Club, 173 S. Eureka St., Redlands. Adult Learners will read from their works which are published in the anthology. Light refreshments will be served.
Our Stories, A Collection of Writings, Volumes 1 through 6, are available for checkout at Smiley Public Library. Additionally, many of the authors who submitted writings for the anthology accepted an invitation to read their stories on videotape and share them with the Redlands community. Some of these stories are available on the literacy webpage, www.akspl.org/literacy.
If you would like to volunteer with the Redlands Adult Literacy Program, please contact Diane Shimota, Adult Literacy Coordinator, at (909) 798-7565 ext. 4138, or email literacy@akspl.org. You can learn more about the adult literacy program by attending the next volunteer tutor orientation scheduled for October 4, 2023. Please contact Diane for more information.
If you know of someone who needs help in reading and writing, please encourage them to take the first step in changing their life by contacting the Redlands Adult Literacy Program. Tutoring is free and confidential.