A World of Reading Winter
2012-13
By Linda Frederick Yaffe
"Read to Me, Grandpa!"
Lewis's two-year-old granddaughter thrust a book into his
hands: "please read me this
story, Grandpa!" But Lewis was speechless...because he couldn't read. Lewis is 66 years old. A devoted family
man, he has worked hard all of his life, harder than most people...because he couldn't read. Telling lies -
to hide his embarrassing lack of reading skills - was a way of life. He had
managed to bluff his way through his working years, cleverly charming his
workmates and supervisors. It wasn't easy. Every workday he faced frightening
challenges. Given paperwork to read and sign, he'd tell his boss he needed
"to look it over more carefully" and "return it later," or he
would ask a coworker, "what does this say? I've forgotten my
glasses."
During his working years, while his children were growing
up, he had found plenty of excuses for his kids when they asked, "Daddy,
can you help me with my homework?" Lewis had put them off every time:
"ask your mother to help you," or "my eyes are tired; I've been
working all day." But now, as a retiree slumped in his easy chair watching
television, Lewis could not find any more excuses. At that moment, seeing his
granddaughter's eager face as she opened the book, he wanted to read to her. He
knew that sharing a book would create special grandpa-granddaughter memories
for her. This was Lewis's decisive moment: he would finally ask for help. He
would learn to read.
Shockingly, one in five Americans - Americans whose first
language is English - cannot read. In California the problem is even more
pronounced: 23 percent of Californians, adults whose first language is English,
do not have the skills needed to complete a simple one-page job application.
Non-readers come from every age group and socioeconomic background. They might
be someone you know well...or an individual you are meeting for the first time.
The inability to read is a hidden problem. It is often unnoticed (even by
family, friends, or employers). More than a personal disability for the
non-reader, society is heavily impacted as well. Nationally, non-readers cost billions
of dollars in lack of productivity in the workforce, crime, and loss of tax
revenue due to unemployment.
You can help improve literacy skills in our
communities. When you notice someone with poor - or nonexistent - reading,
grammar, or spelling skills, gently encourage them to call for help. Tell them
they can learn to read at their own pace with convenient, confidential,
one-on-one FREE READING HELP from Placer Adult Literacy Service (PALS), a
Placer County Library program since 1986. Encourage them to call PALS:
530-886-4530 or 530-320-3267. Your help as a volunteer is always welcome.
And you can help
by joining the Literacy Support Council of Placer County, a non-profit 501(c)(3)
organization helping PALS "spread the word" for more than twenty
years. Join us as an active member: become a volunteer READING BOOSTER. Reading
Boosters support PALS: they organize and speak out for literacy. The Literacy
Support Council of Placer County is a United Way Partner; give through United
Way at your workplace, CA Capitol Region, Literacy Support Council of Placer
County ID#3061. Or mail your tax-deductible contributions directly to the
Literacy Support Council of Placer County, PO Box 5291, Auburn CA 95604-5291; email
us at LSCPlacer@yahoo.com; and "Like" us on Facebook:
www.Facebook.com/LSCPlacer.
Your gifts help give Placer County adults like Lewis the
gift of reading...and lift up their lives, their families, and our communities.
