Village Readers Family Education

Based in Delray Beach, this family education program provides literacy instruction for adults and their elementary school age children.

The majority of the families are recent immigrants and are primarily Haitian or Hispanic. The adults who attend class in the evening, after working at low-paying jobs during the day, develop literacy skills to prepare them for further education and/or enhanced employment possibilities. The children receive individualized reading instruction and participate in reading enrichment activities.

In 2009 – 2010:

  • 148 adults and 110 children were served in the evening program.
  • 18 children were served in the afternoon tutoring program.
  • 89% percent of the children demonstrated an increased interest in reading and improved literacy skills.
  • 84% of adult students made gains in reading, listening and/or speaking.

PROGRAM IMPACT

I go to Village Readers and am in the reading and writing course. One of the main reasons I attend class is to have a better life. I came to this country knowing very little English. Now, I am able to speak, read, understand and write so much better thanks to Village Readers. My life in America is already getting better because of my ability to communicate. I am learning something new every time I go to class. I like learning new English expressions and reading different stories. I can now identify the main idea easily and write a summary story. My writing has improved as well. I write in a journal each week and when I look back on older journal entries, I get so excited to see how my writing has improved. I really want to learn more English because it is a goal of mine to attend college. And after I attend college, I would like to become a lawyer and work in the field of criminal justice.

Vanessa Garcia

 

Address: 400 SW 12th Avenvue, Delray Beach, FL 33444