Get tutoring skills July 15 and 22

The St. Clair Literacy Council is looking for tutors who want to help people learn how to read.

A workshop will be held at Community Presbyterian Church of Moody on July 15 and 22 from 5:30 until 8 p.m. both evenings.

Ted Seay with the Literacy Council said, “We’re down to one tutor left in Odenville, none in Moody and one in Pell City. We really need some more tutors trained.”

The St. Clair Chapter of the Literacy Council works diligently to help those in the area with reading problems.

The Literacy Council typically has tutors in every city in the county, dedicated to helping people who need to learn how to read, or for those who want to increase their literacy skills.

The programs offered are free to adults 18 and older and Seay said he can put people in touch with one of the many volunteers who can help people with reading skills.

Seay, a former educator, said being literate is one of the most powerful ways for someone to break the bonds of poverty or gain skills to further their life.

Some of the people who gain reading skills through the Literacy Council are referred, while others reach out because they want to learn to read to be able to help their children with homework or complete paperwork like job applications.

The class offered next month requires an $18 materials fee for the workshop. Anyone interested can register at www.literacy-council.org and use PayPal to handle the materials fee. Or you may download the registration form off the Web site and send it in with a check or money order for $18 made payable to The Literacy Council.

For more information on the workshop, contact Theresa at 208-326-1925 or e-mail tsterling@literacy-council.org.

The Literacy Council is headed by a board, which coordinates the sometimes-daunting task of providing tutors for those who need help reading.

It can also help to provide resources for people wanting to complete their G.E.D. The St. Clair County Area Transportation program can also assist people in getting to tutor lessons.

There are many people who take part in the Literacy Council’s programs; the average age of someone currently going through the programs is 42-years-old. “We just want to give them an opportunity,” Seay said. “Some people call me relentless for chasing people who want to read down. But if someone calls and wants help, I’m going to keep calling them back until I get them.”

The Literacy Council can be reached at 205-812-2704 or 205-338-1963. Volunteers are always welcome to join in the cause and Seay said completing the course offered next month is all it takes to help fight illiteracy in the St. Clair County area.