The Literacy Corner

Joseph McDonald

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It is September and the Newberry County Literacy Council is back at full speed. This means one-on-one tutoring in reading and math, classes in computer use, the FAST Program for school children and their parents, The Weekly Readers Book Club, seminars at the People’s College, and more.

We have so much fun we want you to join us. Sign up for our programs or encourage someone you know to do so. Volunteer as a tutor, or just drop by to see what’s going on.

The Weekly Reader book club just finished Lilies of the Field by William Armstrong, about an ex-soldier who helps a group of nuns build a chapel. It was made into a film in the 1960s starring Sidney Poitier and we will be watching that on Sept. 8.

The next week we will start Having Our Say, by the Delany sisters. These two sisters died in the 1990s, each living to be over 100 years old. They were African-Americans and their lives tell the story of civil rights over most of the 20th century. We will start this book on Sept. 15 at 11 a.m. at the Literacy Office.

Let us know if you will join us so we have enough books for all. This book club is especially, but not exclusively, for those who have never been in one. We welcome readers of all levels.

The People’s College fall term begins on Sept. 14 at 6 p.m. at the Literacy Council. This is a college-like experience for all people interested in exploring some of the great writers and great ideas of history. Maybe you didn’t go to college and want to experience what you missed, maybe you went to college but want to relive some of the experiences.

No grades, no pressure, all books are provided free. For those concerned about their reading ability we have tutors and help available. The book we will use is published by the Great Books Foundation and has selections by writers such as Aristotle, John Dewey, Immanuel Kant, and Virginia Wolf.

And it contains the play Antigone by Sophocles, a wonderful story about the daughter of Oedipus and her decision to follow her own conscience even though her life is threatened by doing so. Written over 2000 years ago, it is still a play for today. Most of the selections in the book are very short and chosen for their readability.

We talk about what they mean and why people still read them today. This could be the college experience you never had or feel you did not take advantage of the first time.

The FAST Program (Families and Schools Together) will begin in September. It is designed to assist parents and children with establishing a better relationship with each other and the schools the children attend. Meeting weekly at 5:30 p.m. at Newberry Elementary School, parents learn how to interact with teachers and principals and how to provide support for their children. The children engage in activities to improve their motivation and do better in their school work. The Program has been very successful.

This fall we will also have classes in Financial Literacy led by April Dewalt, who is joining the Council as its new VISTA Volunteer. The VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America) program dates back to the 1960s and places talented and motivated people in non-profit agencies and organizations that improve the lives of struggling individuals and families.

VISTA Volunteers serve for one or two years, receive a small monthly stipend and then receive an educational allowance to help them pay off college loans or continue their education. April recently returned from training in Atlanta. One of her primary responsibilities will be leading the Financial Literacy workshops. Welcome, April!

The VISTA program, which is sometimes called the domestic Peace Corps, is a wonderful opportunity for people who have just graduated from college. They can spend a year exploring what their interests and passions and talents are and what career choices they may want to pursue, as they also provide valuable service to their organizations.

We are excited about the new year and all we will be doing. Join us, support us, refer people to us. And until next time, happy reading!

Joseph McDonald is a retired sociology professor from Newberry College and has worked with the Newberry County Literacy Council for more than 20 years as a tutor and board member. The Literacy Council is located at 1121 Caldwell St. Visit newberryread.com, call 803-276-8086 or send an email to newberrycountyli@bellsouth.net for more information.