Borders Books at Kukui Grove is teaming up to help raise funds and accept book donations on behalf of the statewide Hawai‘i Literacy program, and Kaua‘i chapter. The “If you can read this, you can help” slogan reflects the open
Borders Books at Kukui Grove is teaming up to help raise funds and accept book donations on behalf of the statewide Hawai‘i Literacy program, and Kaua‘i chapter. The “If you can read this, you can help” slogan reflects the open call for tutors who are interested in helping Kaua‘i’s residents improve English reading and writing skills. Local coordinator, Dennis Dresser, hopes that more people in need of free tutoring and more people willing to tutor, will join in the efforts with Border’s Books to expand the program.
Beginning this week through the fall, Border’s storewide book sale and donation program will donate 5 percent profits to Hawai‘i Literacy, explained Dresser. “This could really be an enormous help to our state wide program, I am very excited about this collaboration.” The Hawai‘i Literacy program believes “that well trained volunteers can teach adults to read and write, that adults need relevant curricula and material for learning, that parents are their children’s first teachers, and that literacy is vital to full participation in a democratic society,” states the Web site.
“Since 1971, Hawai‘i Literacy has helped thousands of adults learn the basic reading and writing skills to get better jobs, improve their parenting skills, and succeed in life,” states the Web site. The one-on-one tutoring in basic reading and writing skills is available to English-speaking adults free of charge. Volunteer tutors are “trained and certified in the Laubach Literacy Method, proven to be the most effective means to teach adults how to read,” explains the program’s vision statement. “Volunteers and tutors are matched up and usually meet weekly at their own specified time and place, to make it most comfortable for both student and tutor,” said Dresser.
“Our program is designed to help anyone who wishes to improve their writing and reading skills, these people may be functional in spoken English, but need strengthening in the written language,” said Dresser.
As of now, the Kaua‘i program has only three students and five tutors — “We need more students and more tutors, and I really hope if we can get the word out, people will take advantage of this program.”
After four successful careers, Dresser said, “I want to give back — I have the time and energy to give, that’s why I do it.” The program asks a six month commitment for tutors and students to complete significant work together, and the tutor provides progress reports along the way.
For more information on the program contact www.hawaiiliteracy.org or Dennis Dresser, the Kaua‘i coordinator, at 635-5915; dennis.dresser@hawaiiliteracy.org.
