GRAND RAPIDS (WZZM)- Every year more than 1,000 adults in West Michigan seek help when it comes to learning how to read.
That's why the Literacy Center of West Michigan is looking for 200 new volunteer tutors to help with its literacy programs. The non-profit organization has been helping to reduce illiteracy in West Michigan for 22-years. Tutoring used to be done at the downtown Grand Rapids Library, but due to increasing demand, sessions are now held in a larger permanent location on monroe avenue.
Volunteers are now needed in the adult tutoring program and the family literacy program. Tutors are required to make a one-year commitment and should expect to set aside three hours a week to work with a student. Current volunteers, like Kathy Bush say it's both a challenging and rewarding experience. "You want it to be enjoyable for yourself and as well as your student. And so look for the humor because it's not always going to be easy going." Executive Director Susan Ledy adds, "Really, this becomes a peer relationship, then a teacher-student relationship at least in terms of our traditional perspective on that. Often our students and teachers become friends at the same time they are becoming learners."
An information session for prospective volunteer tutors will take place Wednesday, August 12th from 6:30-7:30 p.m. You're asked to meet at Cascade Library located at 2870 Jacksmith Ave., S.E. in Grand Rapids.
To register, call (616) 459-5151 (Ext. 10) and to learn more about the Literacy Center of West Michigan, click HERE
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