Countywide : Literacy Tutors Are Helping Others to Read All About It

Sara Schwartz prides herself on keeping up with current events and is an avid reader of newspapers, magazines and books.

Just a year ago, however, that was not the case. A sixth-grade dropout, Schwartz could not read well enough to even help her two children with their homework. She credits READ/Orange County with changing her life.

“I never used to pick up a book,” said Schwartz, who lives in Irvine with her husband and children. But since joining the literacy program eight months ago, she added, “now, I’m always reading.”

Founded in 1991 with a grant through the California Library Services Act, READ/Orange County certifies tutors and pairs them with learners such as Schwartz, who studies twice a week with Barbara Sisneros, who meets with her pupil before going to work.

“She’s on a level,” Sisneros says of Schwartz, “where she can keep up with current events, whereas before, she wasn’t even tuned in.”

Marcia Tungate, literacy coordinator, said that in its five years, the program has conducted 43 basic tutoring workshops, certified 500 tutors and evaluated 775 potential students, who were matched with instructors. The program’s spring session begins next week.

Tutors are needed countywide, Tungate said, especially in Garden Grove, Westminster, La Habra, La Palma and Brea--areas with large numbers of immigrants who are just learning English.

Students, she said, must be at least 16 years old. Tutors must be at least 18 and able to read, write and speak English. “The only degree you need is a degree of caring,” she said.

Tutors, who receive intensive training, must agree to devote 50 hours to helping the student learn to read and are asked to donate $20 to cover books and materials.

Training sessions will be at the Orange County Public Library (1501 E. Saint Andrew Place, Santa Ana) on Monday, Wednesday, March 11, 13, 18 and 20 from 6 to 9 p.m.

A second session will be all day on three consecutive Saturdays: April 13, 20 and 27, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Though the program requires a commitment of only 50 hours of tutoring, many teachers and students stay together longer. The Sisneros-Schwartz team is an example.

The women have become friends. For Christmas, Sisneros gave Schwartz a journal to encourage her to pursue her newly found interest in writing and is helping her find a job.

“It’s been very rewarding,” Sisneros said. “It’s a great feeling to be able to give something to someone who has been in the dark for so long.”

Information: (714) 566-3070.