Many adults who join the Redlands Adult Literacy Program want to improve their reading and writing skills so they can get better jobs, further their own education, and advocate for their children. Through hard work and perseverance adult learners can change their own and their family’s lives for the better.
Rosa Le recently joined the literacy program and meets with her tutor weekly at the YMCA, a library partner that provides meeting space for literacy teams. Rosa joined the program to improve her reading and writing skills and to increase her vocabulary. Improving her literacy is the first step that she is taking to further her education. Her dream is to go to college and eventually become a decorator. Rosa’s daughter is a good example for her mom; she has completed her college education and wants Rosa to know that she can do it too.
The literacy program has helped Rosa gain confidence “to know that I can learn to read.” It has helped her to educate herself and to do things to help others. Rosa thinks that improving her reading and writing is important because “I have a business that I want to grow and I want to live a better life.” She says, “Everybody can learn to read and write and have a chance to get a better future.”
Rosa would like the Redlands community to know about the free tutoring available at the library. She shares, “Reading and writing is very important. I had no idea the library had this program; now I tell my friends that they have the opportunity to come and learn, and I tell them that they can do it.”
Crystal Moreno is a life-long learner who graduated from the Redlands Adult Literacy Program several years ago. Crystal joined the adult literacy program when she was a student at a local community college. Her learning disability made college-level English courses a challenge for her. Crystal was driven to complete her goal of being the first in her family to graduate from college and become a math teacher, specializing in helping children with learning challenges. Through her hard work and the help of the Redlands Adult Literacy Program, Crystal completed her Associate of the Arts degree, and recently celebrated her graduation from California State University, San Bernardino (CSUSB). Showing her own determination to excel, Crystal is already enrolled in CSUSB’s teacher education program.
When asked about the adult literacy program, Crystal shared, “Participating in adult literacy helped me feel more confident when writing essays for school, scholarships, and professional emails…it helped me reach my goal to finish my education by receiving my Bachelor of Arts degree in Liberal Studies and continuing my education.”
Crystal also shared that she would “tell someone hesitant about starting the adult literacy program that it would be a fantastic experience because you will get to know your strength that you never thought you had. Also, you will get to meet other people that will inspire you and develop excellent relationships with the literacy program. Finally, it will help you boost your confidence and develop leadership skills.”
Stories like Rosa’s and Crystal’s would not be possible without the support of the local community. The Redlands Community Foundation recently granted $800 to the Redlands Adult Literacy Program. These monies will be used to purchase audio books that are available to adult learners and the Redlands community. Every donation is appreciated.
The Redlands Adult Literacy Program seeks additional volunteers who can help motivated adults improve their reading and writing. If you know of someone who needs help in reading and writing, please encourage them to take the first step in changing their lives by contacting the Redlands Adult Literacy Program. The program provides the opportunity for free, one-on-one tutoring and literacy classes such as the writing workshops. If you would like to learn more about the program, please contact Diane Shimota, Adult Literacy Coordinator, at 909-798-7565, ext. 4138 or email: literacy@akspl.org. To learn more about the Redlands Adult Literacy Program, please visit the adult literacy website: akspl.org/literacy.