Literacy Delaware to train volunteer tutors for adult needs Dec. 16

A literacy organization in Delaware is recruiting volunteers for its upcoming tutor training session to reach adults with limited literacy and English language skills throughout the state.

Literacy Delaware helps adults in need reach their potential as confident, self-sufficient, productive employees, family members and community contributors. Recruitment of new volunteer tutors is currently underway. An orientation session will be held online from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m., Thursday, Dec.16.

According to Literacy Delaware, improving an adult’s literacy and English language skills has a positive impact on the person’s life and the lives of their family members, as well as on the communities in which they reside.

"The number of adults in Delaware who cannot read at more than a third-grade level and/or who don’t speak English well would fill 11 UD football stadiums," said Cindy Shermeyer, Literacy Delaware executive director.

New tutors help the organization reduce its waiting list of adults ready to work on improving their abilities. Anyone can become a tutor; no experience or special skills are required.

“If you’ve ever tied a shoe or helped a child learn their ABCs, you’ve been a teacher,” said Dale Ashera-Davis, Sussex County coordinator.

Since 1983, the nonprofit Literacy Delaware Inc. has been helping adults improve their literacy and English language skills free of charge using trained volunteer tutors.

Tutor training sessions will be held from 1:30 to 3 p.m. and 6:30 to 8 p.m., each Thursday from Jan. 6 thru Jan. 27. Participants may choose afternoon or evening sessions. All training and instruction are currently being conducted online.

Literacy Delaware provides required training and instructional materials. Volunteers are matched with adult learner(s), individually or in small groups, who need reading, writing or English language instruction.

Volunteers meet weekly with client(s) at mutually convenient times and locations; this can be done virtually online. Support from staff is always available when needed.

To learn more, go to literacydelaware.org/tutors, email admin@literacydelaware.org or call 302-658-5624.