Read-a-thon

The Racine Literacy Council invites adults, youths, businesses, organizations and families to take part in its second annual read-a-thon, Summer Read — Pages with Purpose from June 5 to Aug. 5.

Summer Read is an opportunity for the entire community to encourage the joy of reading and to raise funds in support of the Racine Literacy Council’s Adult Literacy Program. Participants will seek pledges for each book they read during the summer. Prizes will be awarded in several categories — Youth (7-15), Adult (16 and older), Family, and Corporate/Business — for the most funds raised and the most books read in each category. An awards event is planned for International Literacy Day in September.

The free public kickoff event for Summer Read will be from 4-7 p.m. June 5 at the Literacy Council, 734 Lake Ave. It will include music, refreshments, edible books and an opportunity to sign up to be a reader. Local authors are invited to read from their latest book.

Edible books are creations of local bakeries and artisans who have transformed cakes into literary creations. Edible books will on display and served to guests at the Summer Read Kickoff June 5. Call the Racine Literacy Council if you would like to enter an edible book/cake.

Adults who come to the RLC literacy program want to be able to apply their new reading and writing skills in meaningful ways. They want to be able to speak and to understand the English language in their everyday lives. Tutors work to integrate the learner’s selected goals with academic progress. Goals might include job-related vocabulary, making a doctor’s appointment without an interpreter and being able to make a budget.

The next volunteer tutor training will be the mornings of June 16-19 and June 23. Prior to the training, people should attend a one-hour information meeting. They will be at noon June 4, 5:30 p.m. June 10 or 10:30 a.m. June 12 at the Racine Literacy Council. In Western Racine County the meeting will be on June 5 at the public libraries: Union Grove: 9 a.m.; Waterford, 10: 30 a.m.; and Burlington, noon.

With the increase in the number of people wanting to learn English and many others working to improve basic literacy skills, the role of the volunteer tutor is essential to the program. Tutors, 16 years or older, volunteer two to three hours per week. A volunteer’s work and personal schedule help to determine what day or time they tutor. People do not need to know another language to teach someone English nor do they need to have a teaching background.Speakers BureauClubs, churches, businesses and organization program chairs are encouraged to contact the Racine Literacy Council to have a representative speak to their group about literacy issues in Racine County.

How does literacy affect the workplace? Do immigrants have enough opportunities to learn the English language in Racine County? What is Health Literacy, and why is it so important to us all. The impact on society is significant.You are invited: Focus groups inputFor more information, contact Kay Gregor at (262) 632-9495 or send e-mail to kgregor@racineliteracy.com

BY RACINE LITERACY COUNCIL- Journal Times Article 5/20/08