Reading is a fundamental skill that many of us take for granted. We read menus, billboards, magazines, and social media effortlessly every day. However, for a staggering number of adults in America, reading is not that easy. According to Prosperity for America, more than 43 million adults in the United States cannot read above a third-grade level. In Orange County alone, it is estimated that one in four adults, roughly 400,000 individuals, reads only at a basic or below-basic level. Fortunately, there are local adult literacy programs, such as OC Read, that aim to help these individuals overcome their literacy challenges.
OC Read, the county government’s library program, is a crucial resource for adults struggling with low literacy skills. However, the program’s librarians refrain from using terms like “illiteracy” or “illiterate.” As David Lopez, OC Public Libraries’ Marketing & Communications librarian, explains, adults entering the program are not lacking in skills. Instead, they face the challenge of low literacy, which means they find it difficult to read a book with little to no effort. The goal is to reach adults and families who did not acquire these skills through traditional avenues like school and now struggle with low literacy.
Many adults in the program were never exposed to extensive phonics instruction as children, making it challenging for them to decode written text. They have developed strategies to navigate a text-heavy world, relying on strengths such as memorization, contextual understanding, and technological proficiency. Asking for help can be especially difficult for these individuals, as they often carry a lifetime of shame due to their lack of reading efficiency. Stephanie Anson, OC Read supervisor, explains that many learners are hesitant to share their participation in the program with family and friends or even talk about it openly.
OC Read currently has about two dozen adults actively working to improve their literacy skills with the assistance of volunteer tutors. One dedicated volunteer is Tim Elmore, an electrical engineer who has been involved with OC Read for the past four years. Elmore, drawn to teaching and training, decided to become a tutor after discovering that OC Read did not require a teaching credential and provided comprehensive literacy training in-house. Teaching someone to read for the first time can be challenging, requiring careful lesson planning. Through Zoom meetings, Elmore mentors his mentee virtually, emphasizing everyday reading skills like reading newspaper and road signs. For his current mentee, who aspires to obtain a driver’s license, Elmore has been using sample driver’s exams in their sessions. He emphasizes that many people take these basic skills for granted, and it is surprising how many struggle with them.
Another dedicated OC Read tutor is Barbara “Barb” Hochgesang, who joined the program after retiring from her teaching career. Hochgesang, who has a passion for teaching, was drawn to OC Read due to her experience working with students who had different levels of reading skills. She recalls a student who, despite being a capable carpenter, couldn’t read at a first-grade level. After enrolling him in OC Read, Hochgesang witnessed his progress firsthand. She now tutors a bright woman from Iran, a university graduate and mother of two, who is working on enhancing her English-speaking skills. Hochgesang finds tutoring and teaching adult basic education to be a deeply inspiring experience, helping learners break the cycle of intergenerational low literacy.
Cynthia Traino, another OC Read volunteer tutor, had a 38-year career in education before deciding to teach adults how to read. After retiring in 2018, Traino sought out volunteer work and discovered OC Read. Over the past five years, she has worked with three different mentees, each with their own unique challenges. Traino administers lessons based on her learners’ specific needs and goals. She incorporates a variety of teaching strategies, such as phonics, sight word recognition, and reading comprehension exercises. Traino believes in the importance of building a strong foundation in reading skills and gradually increasing the difficulty level as her learners progress.
The impact of OC Read on adult learners is profound and far-reaching. Not only does it empower individuals with essential literacy skills, but it also enhances their overall quality of life. Improved reading abilities open doors to better employment opportunities, increased independence, and the ability to actively participate in their communities. Adults who gain confidence in their reading skills are more likely to pursue further education, engage in lifelong learning, and explore new interests.
OC Read also recognizes the importance of addressing the underlying factors that contribute to low literacy. In addition to providing one-on-one tutoring, the program offers resources and referrals to help learners overcome other challenges they may face, such as language barriers, financial constraints, or limited access to educational materials. By taking a holistic approach, OC Read supports learners in multiple aspects of their lives, fostering a sense of belonging and creating a supportive learning environment.
The success stories emerging from OC Read are a testament to the program’s effectiveness. Learners who once struggled with basic reading now share stories of reading books to their children, successfully completing job applications, or pursuing higher education. The positive impact of OC Read extends beyond the individual learners to their families, who benefit from increased literacy skills and the opportunities that come with them.
OC Read’s efforts to raise awareness about adult literacy extend beyond its tutoring program. The program actively collaborates with community partners, including local schools, businesses, and nonprofits, to promote literacy initiatives and advocate for resources to support adult learners. By engaging the broader community, OC Read aims to create a culture that values and prioritizes adult literacy.
However, the demand for adult literacy programs like OC Read far exceeds the available resources. The waiting list for learners seeking tutoring continues to grow, highlighting the urgent need for increased funding and volunteer support. OC Read encourages individuals from all walks of life to get involved, whether as volunteer tutors, advocates, or donors, to make a difference in the lives of adults struggling with low literacy.
