Community Literacy Centers Gives the Gift of Reading

As we approach the festivities of the holiday season, many of us spend time reflecting on the blessings we have received throughout the year and pondering what gift we will give those we love. However, we take for granted one life’s greatest gifts – the ability to read.  For students at Community Literacy Centers, Inc., (CLC), year in and year out, the opportunity to learn to read is a gift many have waited a lifetime to receive.

That was the case for Virginia, a CLC student.  As a young child, Virginia was continually told she would never accomplish anything in life. She can recall being laughed at in grade school when she read aloud, her teacher's in-class critique of her reading adding to her embarrassment.  From the fourth grade, Virginia began to withdraw from school and subsequently never learned to read. Years later, as an adult, Virginia found her way to CLC where she gained the confidence and reassurance she needed to learn to read and become a self-sufficient adult.

 “Being at CLC is one of the best decisions I’ve made.  My reading is better and I now have the confidence to read aloud and not be ashamed.  I read to my kids every day, which is so important to me,” explained Virginia.

Floyd, 27 years old and a high school graduate from Oklahoma, suffers from dyslexia, a condition that was not diagnosed until high school.  Despite attending special classes, he did not receive the tutoring assistance needed to master basic reading and mathematical skills.  Instead, Floyd was passed through the curriculum and received his high school diploma.  Upon graduating from high school, Floyd began work as a laborer in the oil fields where he was employed for over 5 years; earning more than $50K a year. Because Floyd had performed the same job for such a length of time, he was able to hide his inability to read.  When the oil industry fell on hard times, Floyd was laid off and found himself without the basic skills necessary to apply for most jobs. 

“I needed to support my two kids so I returned to Oklahoma and began classes at CLC.  I am anxious to get back in the oil business but I need to learn to read first” explained Floyd.

Michael, was sentenced to prison in 1985. At that time, he could not read and had no interest in learning to do so.  One day, however, Michael learned about reading the hard way when he was asked to sign his name on a document.  Although he couldn’t read it, he signed the document, and ended up forfeiting four months of good behavior time.  Today, at the age of 45, Michael credits reading with changing his life.

“Reading has changed everything. Now when I sign something, I know what I am signing.  Reading has helped me realize I can go wherever my imagination takes me,” said Michael.  “Now I can communicate with other people.”

Sashae is typical of many CLC students. She dropped out of school after the eighth grade. When she came to the CLC, Sashae could only read at the second grade level.  After participating in CLC classes, Sashae is reading at an eighth grade level, has set a goal to pass her GED and go on to college to become a nurse.  Thanks to the support CLC has provided, Sashae can read books to her young children and has the confidence to read aloud without embarrassment.

“I am so proud of myself. I never thought I would make it this far. The teachers at CLC helped me get to where I am today,” explained Sashae.

 There are hundreds of tasks most of us do every day; drive, read a prescription, look at a menu, read the Bible or a newspaper, write letters, and help our children with homework – all requiring the ability to read.  For those whose life stories aren’t fortunate enough to include learning to read at an early age, these tasks seem impossible and pose obstacles that most of us can’t even imagine.

Virginia, Floyd, Michael, Sashae and hundreds of others like them understand the gift of reading. They have learned the power and importance this critical and fundamental skill has in society.  And, this holiday season, each of them knows the gift of reading has changed their life and opened the door to a world of possibilities that had before, seemed unreachable.

According to the Oklahoma Department of Libraries, nearly 140,000 adults in Oklahoma City are considered functionally illiterate, which means they have difficulty reading a newspaper, filling out a job application and reading road signs.

 But, thanks to the effort of Community Literacy Centers, Inc. (CLC), a private, non-profit organization established in 1987, more than 29,000 individuals in conjunction with various agencies, have received reading, writing and mathematical assistance.  CLC is dedicated to teaching adults to read by offering basic skills classes, short courses, individual tutoring and a family program.

 “We receive as much of a blessing helping our students as they do learning to read” explains Becky O’Dell, Executive Director of CLC.  “It is a gift to be able to positively impact someone’s life in such a profound and visible way.”