Thursday, December 11, 2014

Teach an Adult to Read & Write! Volunteer as a Literacy Tutor!

Who needs help?

An average 20% of adults locally struggle with reading and writing. It can be a source of embarrassment for adults, who are often unwilling to ask for help.
  • Many have learning disabilities;
  • Others received insufficient individual instruction in school or at home;
  • Others are immigrants seeking to learn English.
What is LEARN?

LEARN is the adult literacy program of the San Diego County Library.

Our mission is to help adults improve reading and writing skills to achieve their full potential as community members, family members, workers, and life-long learners; to teach non-English speakers ESL (English as a Second Language) skills; to tailor services to individual needs, with confidentiality; to foster understanding and use of public libraries; to educate communities on the importance of literacy.
 
How can I help?
 
By becoming a volunteer literacy tutor, you will empower an adult by teaching them vital skills which will help them achieve their full potential as community members, family members, workers, and life-long learners.
 
What are the requirements?
 
  • Be at least 18 years old, with the equivalent of a high school diploma;
  • Pass the County of San Diego's Volunteer Background Check;
  • Successfully complete LEARN's Tutor Training program;
  • Commit to a minimum of six months as a tutor;
  • Meet with a learner for 1-1/2 hours twice a week at a County Library branch;

  • How do I volunteer?

    Call: 888-466-0668 
    Email: learnstaff@sdcounty.ca.gov 
    Click: http://www.sdcl.org/learn-volunteer.html


     

    Tuesday, September 9, 2014

    LEARN's 7th Annual Volunteer Appreciation Picnic

    Please join us as we celebrate the remarkable work of all of our volunteer tutors and instructors.
    Free food, games, and live music!

    When:  Saturday, September 13, 2014, 12:00pm - 3:00pm

    Where:  San Dieguito Park - 1628 Lomas Santa Fe Dr., Del Mar, Ca 92014 - Area #7

    *Mention LEARN for free parking


















    Wednesday, July 30, 2014

    Monthly Tutor Reports - FAQ

    All tutors must submit a monthly tutor report to the LEARN staff by the 5th of each month. Although the monthly tutor report helps keep us informed of your learner's accomplishments, these reports cover more than just your learner's progress. The monthly tutor report also helps us keep track of your learner's goals (set and met), materials usage, and any areas of concern. The monthly tutor report also informs us of what type of hours were kept by you and your learner.

    Below are answers to tutors' frequently asked questions:

    1) Do I submit a report if little or no progress has been made?
    Answer: Yes! The monthly tutor report is not a progress report. Although we want to keep abreast of any and all progress, we realize that at times the learning process moves at a snail’s pace. If this is the case with your learner, add this to the report, plus any other developments (positive or negative). We definitely want to know things like, “Joe hasn’t made any progress lately. He lost his job and had to miss a couple of sessions.” This information gives us some insight into what’s going on with you and your learner. It also helps us assist you if you feel things are stagnant.
    2) Do I submit a report if we only met once or twice?
    Answer: Yes! LEARN tracks the hours kept by all tutor/learner pairs, including any tutor preparation or travel time. We, in turn, pass this information to the San Diego County Library’s administration and the California State Library. Both the County and the State want to know how many volunteer hours are spent teaching adults how to read and write. Based on the information included in tutor reports, LEARN tutors spent over 10,400 hours teaching their learners literacy skills last year!
    3) What if my learner’s goals are still the same and not much has changed? Do I still submit a report?
    Answer: Yes! We’ll refer you back to the answer for Question #1. Additionally, maybe this is a good time to sit down with your learner and set new goals. If his/her goals are more long-term, maybe you can both set some goals that will help his/her progress in the short-term (i.e. complete Challenger workbook Lesson 3 in the next two weeks, each week this month read one chapter in my book, etc).
    4) Do I submit a report if we did not meet and/or have not met in a while?
    Answer: No. You do not have to submit a report if you did not meet; however, we would like to know about any breaks in tutoring that have taken place (planned or unplanned). You can either send us this information via phone, email, in person, or in a tutor report.
    5) I haven’t submitted a report because my learner and I stopped meeting a while ago.
    Answer: The last one was a statement and not a question, but we do have an answer! If you and your learner are no longer meeting, please contact us! Let us know if you are interested in being paired with a new learner. There are always several learners waiting for tutors. We are constantly updating our database, so please keep us informed as to you and/or your learner’s status.

    Please submit your monthly tutor report by the 5th of each month. You can download a copy of the monthly tutor report by following this link: http://www.sdcl.org/PDF/SDCL_LEARN_monthly-tutor-report.pdf. If you have any questions regarding the tutor report, please post your questions in the comments below or give us a call at 619-588-3740. Thank you!

    Thursday, June 26, 2014

    LEARN 2014 Summer Reading Program

    Take a Moment This Summer and Achieve!

    The LEARN Summer Reading Program is happening now!

    Here's how it works:
    • Adult learners complete any combination of 4 achievements and win a prize!
    • Achievements include reading a book, listening to an audiobook, or meeting a goal.
    • Learners record their achievements on the LEARN Summer Reading Program bookmark and submit them to the El Cajon or Vista literacy centers.
    • Each completed bookmark is entered in the Grand Prize drawing on August 8th!
    Call 888-466-0668 for more information.

    Wednesday, May 14, 2014

    Friday, May 9, 2014

    Eat Amazing Food while Supporting Literacy!


    The 5th Annual EAT.DRINK.READ. Culinary Event for Literacy is Wednesday, May 14th.  Save your appetite for tastings and pours by more than two dozen local chefs and artisan beer, wine, coffee and chocolate makers.  Dishes are inspired by chef’s favorite books, raising needed funds to support programs that provide free literacy assistance to more than 170,000 children, families and adults.  Tickets are $60 per person.  More info at www.eatdrinkread.com.  

    A Culinary Event for Literacy
    Wednesday, May 14, 2014
    5:30 ~ 8:00 p.m.
    NTC Promenade McMillin Center - San Diego
    • Book-Inspired Gourmet Dishes From San Diego’s Hottest Chefs
    • Craft Beers & Wine
    • Silent Auction

    Eat Drink ReadAdmission Cost: $60
    Wine, Beer, & Appetizers Included
    All Inclusive