Health Literacy

When a person cannot read instructions for medicine or instructions from a doctor, it is detrimental to the community. Parents cannot adequately care for the health of their families if they cannot read.

In addition to students with low literacy skills, Project Read serves several students with varying degrees of physical and mental disabilities. By helping these people become more self-sufficient and more responsible members of society, Project Read promotes health for the community.

The Project Read Health Literacy Initiative specifically focuses on health literacy and the ability to read and understand information relating to health and health care.

Project Read is now offering health literacy classes using a curriculum covering topics such as community health resources, understanding medical directions, exercise, understanding financial options and resources, emergency care, and nutrition. The illiterate of Utah County are among the most needy members of the community, and by helping them become literate, Project Read is helping to break the cycle of illiteracy thereby providing prevention of future problems caused by illiteracy.

Please call (801) 852-6654 to register for health literacy classes—the 10-week class started last night Tuesday, Jan. 27. The next class will be tomorrow Thursday, Jan. 29 at 7:30 p.m. Click here to register.

Tutoring Observations

Heads Up!

Krista, Sue or Bryan will soon contact you about observing one of your tutoring sessions. The purpose of this observation is mainly to learn the techniques you are using to tutor and to observe your interactions with your student. As we train new tutors to work with adult literacy students, we want to give them tips and suggestions from those working on the front lines—you. The purpose is not to critique or criticize your tutoring style, although we may have some ideas for you as well as suggestions for materials you could use to tutor. We will also be happy to answer any questions you might have for us.

Project Read will soon be applying for national accreditation through ProLiteracy America. One area we will be measured on is "Instruction." Project Read staff members must show evidence that:

1. Instruction is student-centered and outcome-oriented.
2. Instruction is culturally sensitive.
3. Instruction encompasses a variety of methods, materials, and techniques, possibly including assistive technology.
4. Tutors/instructors and students collaborate in the instructional process. Examples:
   a. mutually determine goals
   b. negotiate what happens in the lesson
   c. both students and tutors/instructors conduct self-assessments of the instruction
5. The organization promotes and supports the use of written lesson plans and evaluation.
6. The tutor/instructor and student collaboratively evaluate the instructional process.
7. The organization monitors instruction and provides examples of how it does so.
8. The organization evaluates instructional services as a whole (objective and subjective data). The evaluation influences changes in the organization’s instruction and programming.

These tutoring observations will move us that much closer to becoming a nationally accredited tutoring program—for the cause!

A Project Read Student Returns to Donate for Literacy

Project Read provides one-on-one literacy services for only $10/year, which is only a very small fraction of the cost associated with providing services for just one student. Project Read is able to continue to thrive and provide adult literacy services because of the generous donations of many different organizations and individuals. One former Project Read student, now graduated from the program, explained why she chose to come back recently and donate her hard-earned money to Project Read. "The people at Project Read have helped me so much. They gave me awards for being an outstanding student. I learned so much because of them. Even though I don't need to donate, I feel I owe it to them for all they have done for me. I would love to become a tutor in Spanish literacy. But, until they find a student I can tutor, this is a way I can help." Click here to see who our sponsors are and to find out more about how and what to donate to Project Read.

Welcome back for another great year at Project Read!

We hope you had the very best holiday season and are ready for 2009.

Now that the holiday decorations and fireworks have been put away and you are settling back into routine, we hope that Project Read will continue to be part of your activities. As you arrange your busy schedules and set new goals, please be aware that our office hours have changed. We are now open Monday through Thursday from 11 AM to 9 PM. Hopefully, the change will not inconvenience you.

As it is the beginning of a new year, now would be a PERFECT time to tell your friends about Project Read. There are many people who could benefit from the services we offer in developing reading, writing, and other literacy skills. We are eager to serve even more people in the community this year. And, of course, we always need more brilliant tutors and volunteers -- we can't do it without you!

We look forward to seeing you all again!