“Changing Lives Through the Literacy Network” Transcript
Imagine being dropped into a foreign country—a country where you can’t read the street signs, can’t
order from a food menu, can’t fill out a job application. You’re surrounded by scribbles and squiggles
that simply don’t make sense.
Now imagine that that country isn’t a foreign one, but your own. That’s exactly what people like
Dwayne McNamara experience on a daily basis. A father of two daughters, Dwayne has struggled with
reading and writing for years. These struggles made it difficult for him to find a job, to take care of his
family, and to develop a positive self-image.
As the National Commission of Adult Literacy states, we face an “adult education crisis that permeates
every aspect of American life.” The problem is even worse when you consider the social consequences
of low adult literacy.
One option is to volunteer at the Literacy Network. It offers a range of services that include basic skills
of reading and writing, learning English as a second language, even math and health skills. Best of all,
all these services are free—individuals and families pay absolutely nothing to receive help.
But the Literacy Network can only offer its services for free if it has enough volunteers—and that’s
where you come in. Whatever your skill set, the Literacy Network has a way for you to help. You can
join me as a tutor and help improve people’s writing, speaking, and reading skills. If tutoring doesn’t
sound right for you, you can help with data entry, fundraising, or scheduling. There are even positions
for photographers and those with computer skills.
If you volunteer as a tutor, you don’t need prior experience, teaching certification, or fluency in
another language. You’ll attend a training seminar at which the staff will show you exactly what to do. I
have to admit I was a little nervous during my first training seminar. But it calmed my nerves and
helped me understand exactly what I was doing.