COUNTYWIDE : Literacy Groups Seek Volunteer Tutors

For the illiterate, every sign is a barrier and every book a mystery. But whether they are among the millions of English-speaking Americans who never learned to read and write or a non-English speaker hoping to decipher a new language, there is help available.

Throughout Orange County, literacy programs run by libraries or community groups offer free lessons in one-on-one and classroom settings. But, members of some of those organizations say, the key to their providing cost-free education is volunteer tutors.

“We couldn’t do our work without volunteers; it’s as simple as that,” said Eunice Jones, an organizer of the Central Orange County Literacy Council, which last year taught more than 2,000 students. “We depend on them completely.”

Officials estimate that 700,000 adults in Orange County are functionally illiterate or only possess limited reading and writing skills. A U.S. Department of Education study released in September shows that nearly half of all American adults have minimal language and math skills.

Some Orange County literacy programs seeking volunteers:

* The Literacy Volunteers of America have six Orange County Chapters: Anaheim at (714) 821-0551, Buena Park at (714) 826-4100, Fullerton at (714) 738-3114, Huntington Beach at (714) 375-5102, Newport-Mesa at (714) 644-3174 and Placentia at (714) 524-8408.

* The Newport Beach Public Library Literacy Program specializes in one-on-one teaching, with about half of its 100 pupils attempting to learn English as a second language. The program also occasionally offers a few classroom courses for more advanced subjects, such as creative writing. Call (714) 644-3174.

* The Orange County Public Library READ/Orange County program offers orientations for interested volunteers at rotating sites countywide and at different times, followed by 15 hours of training and some follow-up sessions. Program officials, who expect this year’s student total to reach 250, encourage ethnic minority citizens to volunteer to assist the program in reflecting its diverse clientele. Call (714) 566-3070.

* The Orange County Laubach Literacy Councils use the Laubach learning technique and teaching materials in a one-on-one tutoring system. The main number is (714) 999-6717, while the South County chapter can be reached at (714) 493-3800 and the Central Orange County branch at (714) 548-3120. The councils combine to form one of Orange County’s largest literacy tutoring efforts, teaching thousands of Orange County residents how to read and speak English.

* The Placentia Public Library Literacy Services have one-on-one and small group classes for basic reading skills and English as a second language for about 50 students. Volunteers are needed to assist another 50 students now on a waiting list, a group official said. Call (714) 524-8408.