YMCA Literacy

Facts about literacy

• 30 million people over age 16 (16% of the population) don’t read well enough to fill out a job application.
• More than 56% of all state and federal corrections inmates can barely read and write.
• Low health literacy costs between $106 and $238 billion each year in the U.S.

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

   Contact Information
   Ora Lewis

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 115 learners annually, and have a waiting list that averages 65 learners. The need is always there, and we could serve more children with additional revenue and more volunteers.

   Tutor Training is held once a month (excluding December). The training is from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Lunch and materials will be provided.

   Registration is Required

   • June 13
   • July 11
   • August 8
   • September 26
   • October 10
   • November 21

   For registration, contact Kathy Addkison

   Contact Information
   Kathy Adkisson

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

3. Learning Labs: YMath and Reading
   The Learning Labs: YMath and Reading are free after school tutoring programs that help elementary and secondary students improve their reading and math ability. Parents enroll their children in either the Learning Labs: YMath and Reading for at least 6 months. Students use educational software in the Learning Labs and work with an instructor in groups of five or less to strengthen critical reading and math skills. Enrollment is free and open to all members of the community.

   The Learning Labs are open Monday through Thursday at three St. Louis sites. Students attend twice a week for one hour, between 4:30 and 6:30pm. Learning Labs are open at the Monsanto Family YMCA in North City and the Emerson Family YMCA in North County. A third site, the South Learning Lab, is located at the YMCA Literacy Council’s building at 2635 Gravois Avenue in South City.

   For more information or to enroll your child in a Learning Lab, please contact Program Director Lucia Luan.

   We are also looking for volunteers to assist instructors at our Learning Labs and lead students through educational games and activities. Volunteer and be a part of a child’s personal and academic growth.

   Contact Information
   Lucia Luan

4. YMCA Literacy Council
   To break the cycle of low literacy, it is essential to offer service to adults. The Literacy Council provides free one-on-one tutoring to adults who need help improving their reading or English language skills. Tutors work with student to help them set and meet personal goals including GED or high school diploma, employment, reading to their children, driver’s license, and the United Sates citizenship. We are looking for volunteers who can meet weekly with an adult learning at a local library or adult education class.

   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 2010

   • January 23
   • April 24
   • September 11
   • November 6

   9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. and a light lunch is provided. Upon completing the course, participants will earn certification from ProLiteracy America as adult literacy tutors. Registration is required. For individuals who will be volunteering with the YMCA Literacy Programs, there is a suggested donation of $20.00 to cover the cost of training including lunch both days, tutor manual, and background check. State, federal, or not-for-profit organization whose volunteers will not be placed directly with Literacy Council students will need to pay a fee for training. Please contact either Michelle Peeler or Caroline Mitchell at the Literacy Office to register or for more information.

   Contact Information
   Caroline Mitchell

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

How can you help?

• Become a parent mentor in the Beginning Babies with Books Parents in the Classroom program.
• Sort, sticker and deliver books for BBB
• Become a YRead tutor.
• Become a Literacy Council tutor.
• Become a Learning Lab classroom assistant.
• Give to YMCA Literacy: Learning for Life

Contact Information

YMCA Literacy Programs
2635 Gravois Ave.
St. Louis, MO 63118

(314) 776-7102

• Beginning Babies with Books
  Ora Lewis
• YRead
  Kathy Adkisson
• YMath and the Learning Labs
  Allyson Criner
• Literacy Council
  Caroline Mitchell
• Volunteer Coordinator
  Michelle Peeler