A Case Statement
Introduction
Pro-Literacy Detroit , is an Accredited Affiliate of Pro-Literacy of America; it is the largest literacy organization in the State of Michigan . Pro-Literacy Detroit provides free literacy services to persons living in Detroit , Hamtramck , and Highland Park . Since organizing in 1984 Pro-Literacy Detroit has trained over 4800 volunteer tutors, and assisted over 9000 learners.
Funding to support Pro-Literacy Detroit comes from public and private foundations, local corporations, the Federal Government through the City of Detroit and the State of Michigan , and contributions from supporters.
Proliteracy Detroit: Mission Statement
Every resident of Detroit , Highland Park , and Hamtramck should have the opportunity to be an informed citizen, a supportive and involved parent, a viable employee, and a lifelong learner.
Pro-Literacy Detroit makes this possible through the recruitment, training, and ongoing support of community volunteers who provide basic literacy skills through innovative, goal-driven programs.
Functional Illiteracy Defined
Functional illiteracy refers to the inability of an individual to use reading, speaking, writing, and computational skills in everyday life situations. The functionally illiterate person cannot process written material. Quite often, this person is unable to understand basic mathematics.
The impact of functional illiteracy is tremendous. The health, safety, and welfare of entire families are compromised. Illiteracy tends to be intergenerational, resulting in poor academic performance, and higher school dropout rates among school-age children in homes where caregivers cannot read. The inability to read dosage information on over-the-counter and prescription drugs is life threatening.
The late Alma Matney-Hill, and a few volunteers organized Pro-Literacy Detroit, formerly Literacy Volunteers of America-Detroit (LVA-Detroit) in November 1983 at the Detroit Unity Temple. They organized in response to a challenge from Wally “Famous” Amos, LVA-National Spokesperson. During the first year, this fledging new affiliate operated from the kitchen of Vivian Johnson, who served as Vice President. In January 1986, Detroit’s Channel 56, provided LVA-Detroit with office space, and the use of its’ facilities, equipment and support services.
From 1984 through 1988, LVA-Detroit existed as part of the Detroiters For Adult Reading Excellence Coalition (DARE). Financial support was provided in return for providing basic literacy training to volunteers. In the spring of 1988, LVA-Detroit’s Steering Committee decided to establish an independent organization. A Board of Directors was recruited, and LVA-Detroit was incorporated as a non-profit corporation
On March 1, 2004 Literacy Volunteers of America-Detroit became Pro-Literacy Detroit. Our new motto is READ*EMPOWER*SUCCEED.
The Scope of Functional Illiteracy in Detroit, Highland Park, and Hamtramck, Michigan
Adult literacy estimates, complied by the National Institute for Literacy in 1998, for Detroit , Highland Park , and Hamtramck , defined illiteracy rates, among adults as follows: Detroit 47%, Highland Park , 56%, Hamtramck 38%. The social and economic impact of illiteracy in these cities is staggering.
Cooperative Arrangements
Pro-Literacy Detroit collaborates with local civic and political leaders, The Detroit Free Press , the Detroit Pistons Foundation, SBC Ameritech, and six literacy organizations located in Wayne, Oakland, and Macomb Counties in a collaboration called Metro Detroit Reads! The purpose of this collaboration is to educate the public about illiteracy, publicize the efforts of literacy organizations, increase the number of volunteer literacy tutors, and raise funds to support literacy organizations that provide free direct services to non-readers. Beginning September 2003, in cooperation with Pro-Literacy Detroit, Comcast Cablevision and our Public Television Station, began airing The Learn To Read Program on Tuesday and Thursday evenings.
In order to make literacy services more accessible to those in need, Pro-Literacy Detroit has partnered with fifty community organizations, libraries. Businesses, agencies, and institutions to establish Literacy Sites and Tutoring Sites throughout Detroit where individuals and families receive literacy services. Each site signs a Memorandum of Understanding that details the responsibilities of each party.
Pro-Literacy Detroit makes basic literacy services more accessible by utilizing print and electronic media, and the Internet. Trained Tutors are available to tutor Learners at community centers, churches, libraries, schools, and in the workplace. The goal is to make literacy services available and convenient to Learners.
Volunteers are required to attend a 21-hour Basic Literacy Tutor Training Workshop and Orientation. They are trained to assess the students’ reading and writing levels, interests, and goals. They are taught how to recognize the best teaching method for the student, and to prepare lesson plans, and portfolios. The ultimate aim is to help people become independent readers, writers, and speakers of English.
Volunteers interested in tutoring non-English speaking students are required to attend a nine-hour English -As- A Second Language Workshop. In this workshop, tutors are trained to use the communicative, learner-centered approach that utilizes various teaching techniques, activities, and materials. By the end of the workshop, tutors have been trained to prepare, plan, and deliver effective programs of study to groups of learners from different linguistic backgrounds, from beginner to advanced levels.
Pro-Literacy Detroit offers a nine-hour Small Group Tutor Training Workshop, to train volunteers to provide literacy services to groups of three to six learners. The nine-hour Workshop Leader Training Workshop trains volunteers to conduct the Basic Literacy Tutor Training Workshop.
Volunteers earn a Certificate, at the successful completion of each workshop. Tutors are asked to make a commitment to tutor a learner(s) for one year, if possible. Each year Pro-Literacy Detroit honors one outstanding Tutor, with the presentation of an Award, at our Annual Meeting.
Pro-Literacy Detroit currently provides tutorial services for adults, aged 16 and older. These individuals are non-readers through the 5th grade when assessed. Tutoring sessions are driven by the goals of the Learner. Ultimately, the goal is for the Learner to improve basic literacy skills. There are 530 adult Learners being tutored one-to-one, or in small group sessions. Each year Pro-Literacy Detroit honors one outstanding Learner, with the presentation of an Award, at our Annual Meeting.
Pro-Literacy Detroit is a Charter Member of the National Adult Education Honor Society. On September 10, 2003, at our Annual Meeting, we inducted forty-seven Learners, who had met their goals in the past year, into the Honor Society.
There are 60 elementary school children participating in after-school Literacy Programs at Samaritan Church, Loyal Temple, and The Penn Enrichment Program in partnership with the Salvation Army of Romulus. The after-school program supports academic achievement by assisting students with homework assignments, and by providing literacy tutoring to improve reading skills. At the end of the school year, we host an Awards Ceremony to honor those students who have improved their grades.
Pro-Literacy Detroit has served residents in Detroit, Highland Park, and Hamtramck for twenty years. We are providing leadership and service to combat illiteracy in Metropolitan Detroit.
“Every man who knows how to read has it in his power to magnify, to multiply the ways in which he exists, to make his life full, significant, and interesting.” Aldous Huxley