 Imagine being a mother of three in a country in which you speak little to none of the language. Your inability to read or write means that when one of your children falls sick, you can’t find the name of a doctor in a phone book or read the directions on a prescription or the label on a can of chicken noodle soup.
Or, maybe you were born in this country and can speak the language, but cannot read or write well enough to help your children with their homework, earn your commercial driver’s license, or discuss the latest headlines in the newspper with your coworkers. You feel helpless, shameful, and disconnected from the society in which you live.
This dilemma is familiar to many citizens of Lackawanna County, where, according to the 2010 Census, nearly 18% of citizens, both native and non-native born, are educationally disadvantaged. That 18% consists of those 25 and older, without a high school diploma, unable to read or write well enough to function in today’s society.
Fortunately, a program exists with the sole focus of improving the lives of the illiterate of Lackawanna County. The Scranton Council of Literacy Advance, SCOLA, was founded in 1979 as a not-for-profit organization of volunteers. SCOLA’s efforts are directed toward the goal of “empowering individuals to function more effectively in society,” through teaching reading, writing, math, and life skills.”
Under the supervision of Program Director Diana Statsman, SCOLA’s suggested curriculum revolves around the teaching methods of the Laubach Way to Reading, created by Dr. Frank Laubach in the 1920s. As a missionary in the Philippines, he devised a methodical way of teaching the natives English.
Laubach writes in his book Teaching the World to Read that “there cannot be education without literacy.” His motto “each one teach one” inspires volunteers at SCOLA, where there is a shared belief that poverty, injustice, and illiteracy are the roadblocks of peace in the world.
Those who desire to volunteer with SCOLA must first contact Program Coordinator Mary Ann Tolerico. Tutors are required to complete 16 hours of training through the ProLiteracy America Volunteer Tutor Training Program. The program consists of DVD instruction, workbook reading, and meeting with Tolerico once a week. It culminates in a certificate from ProLiteracy America. Tutors are given various teaching techniques, materials, and advice such as how to be cautious about using the “lingo of the valley,” such as the “kupple too trees” and “da molls” when talking with a student. In addition to tutoring, volunteers can also train to be conversation partners.
SCOLA provides a civic education series that encourages tutors to familiarize students with American responsibilities and traditions such as Independence Day, voting, and paying taxes.
Following training, tutors are placed with English as a Second Language (ESL) or literacy students who have been assessed individually for their reading levels, abilities, and basic needs.
While a student’s ultimate goal may be to improve job prospects or obtain citizenship, tutors aid in narrowing them down into small achievable goals such as filling out a job application or getting a driver’s license. Other goals may be as simple as wanting to be able to help their children with homework, improve pronunciation, or just to communicate in daily situations.
Students and tutors are encouraged to meet twice a week for 90 minutes. Regular tutoring takes place at the SCOLA Center, whereas trips to places such as the library, bank, and grocery store are encouraged to practice daily living and communication.
Once a month, tutors are required to hand in a calendar detailing the hours met and goals accomplished to keep tutor and student achievements on record.
In addition to one-on-one learning and small-group tutor placement, students can attend daily classes with ESL Instructor John Long.
SCOLA offers a small computer lab in which scholars have access to programs such as Rosetta Stone, the Oxford American Dictionary CD-ROM, and the Internet. These programs would otherwise cost someone up to $300 to purchase on his or her own.
As a nonprofit agency, SCOLA depends on contributions by community organizations and businesses. Nancy Dressel, director of development, works hard to obtain funding for SCOLA programs, since in 2010, the government cut 57% of its funding.
The annual Chocoholic Frolic, SCOLA’s most profitable fundraiser, is an exciting event held at the Scranton Cultural center that brings together vendors, live music, and community members in an effort to raise money for its programs. SCOLA held its Sixth Annual Chocoholic Frolic this February.
If you’d like to learn more about SCOLA, sign up to volunteer, or make a donation, visit www.scolaliteracy.org or call 570-346-6203.
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