YMCA Literacy

Have questions about Literacy Programs at the Y? Visit the Literacy message board on ThatsY.org

Facts about literacy

• 35% of the adult population in St. Louis is functionally illiterate. They struggle to read simple printed material, and many cannot read or write at all.
• The 90 million Americans who score in the lowest two levels of literacy proficiency are far less likely than average Americans to work full-time, earn high wages or vote.
• Seven in ten prisoners perform at the lowest two literacy skill levels.
• The only behavior measure that has significant impact on children’s reading scores is the number of books in the home. Study after study has shown that the best way to prepare a child for future success is to read to him or her from infancy. High levels of reading activity at home equate to higher-level skills in the classroom.

To battle the literacy problem for children and adults, the YMCA of Greater St. Louis has developed a three-pronged literacy program:

YMCA Literacy: Learning for Life.

1. Beginning Babies with Books
   Beginning Babies with Books (BBB) is an early intervention literacy program that promotes the love of reading and learning to young children. It also helps at-risk families learn about the importance of early reading and the impact that pre-reading skills can have on a child’s success in school.

   Thanks to our dedicated volunteers, through BBB we are able to distribute books to new mothers and young children in family health centers, child care centers. and social service agencies in the city of St. Louis. Staff and volunteer will set-up onsite workshops to encourage parents to engage in language activities with their chidren.

   Contact Information
   Ora Lewis | (314)776-7102

2. YRead
   The YRead program focuses on academically at-risk children, ages 7 to 14, who have been referred by their teachers or parents. Learners are assessed to determine their reading level, and then matched with a tutor. The parents and tutors are asked to commit to two sessions per week for up to one year, to work on phonics, sight words, and reading comprehension. As the learner’s academics begin to improve, so does their self-esteem. Learners often say that the bonding between tutor and learner improves the learner’s self-confidence and motivates them to do their best.

   We are usually able to help about 95 learners annually, and have a waiting list that averages 35 learners. The need is always there, and we could serve more children with additional revenue and more volunteers.

   Tutor Training for 2008 will be held on the Second Saturday of each month (excluding December). The training is from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Lunch and materials will be provided.

   Contact Information
   Kathy Adkisson | (314)353-4960 x33

   Visit my staff profile on ThatsY.org to learn more and to talk with others interested in the YRead program.

   Visit our YRead photo album to see students and tutors in action.

3. YMCA Literacy Council
   To break the cycle of illiteracy it is also important to offer literacy services to adults in St. Louis. By tutoring adults who have low reading skills or are immigrants from other countries, we hope to get their reading skills high enough to take GED classes. Once a learner has reached a 6th grade reading level, they are referred to other programs to help them attain higher skills.

   Throughout the program, our tutors encourage their learners to set goals, to develop objectives to reach those goals, and to never give up. Thanks to our volunteers, we’re helping our community solve the problem of adult illiteracy one person at a time.

   New Tutor Training for 2008 will be held January 26th & February 2nd; April 19th & 26th; June 21st & 28th; September 6th & 13th; November 8th & 15th. The training hours are 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM both days. Upon completing the course, participants will earn certification with the State of Missouri and ProLiteracy America as adult literacy tutors. They will also receive a 6 month membership to ProLiteracy America. Cost for training is $20.00 and registration is required. The location of the training is the Literacy Council office at 2635 Gravois Ave, 63118.

   Contact Information
   Caroline Mitchell | (314)776-7102

   Visit my staff profile on ThatsY.org to learn more and to talk with others interested in Literacy programs at the Y.

   Visit our Literacy Council photo album to see some of the participants involved with our program.

How you can help?

• Become a volunteer reader at BBB.
• Help put together book packets for BBB.
• Sort, sticker and deliver books for BBB.
• Become a YRead tutor.
• Become a Literacy Council tutor.
• Give to YMCA Literacy: Learning for Life

Contact Information

• Beginning Babies with Books
  Ora Lewis | (314)776-7102
• YRead
  Kathy Adkisson | (314)353-4960 x33
• Literacy Council
  Caroline Mitchell | (314)776-7102