You might not consider yourself a "reader" if you don't get around to the latest paperbacks, but pay attention to your environment and your daily routines and you'll see that reading is something you do all day long, whether you're conscious of it or not. Sure you peruse newspapers, magazines, e-mail, websites, and (don't be embarrassed) the TV guide channel. But let's not forget the maps, transit schedules, street signs, advertisements, menus, product labels, and bills that you come across on a daily basis. You didn't think of these as reading material, did you? You're realizing you read more than you thought, right?
So, try and imagine what it would be like, how isolating and difficult your life might be, if you had to live outside of the world of words. Blind people count steps to get around, the hard-of-hearing read lips, but what about those that are handicapped by illiteracy? How can they compensate for the inability to read and write? What life choices are they forced to make as a result? What affects does this have on their children and community?
Consider this:
37% of adults in Chicago cannot read a story to a child
53% of adults in Chicago have low or limited literacy skills
61% of low income families have no children's books at home
How did things get this way? That's an easy question to ask, but a difficult one to answer. And I'm not sure I'm qualified to do it.
How can you help? I can field this one.
First, start with the children and young adults around you. Engage them in book talks by asking about what they like to read. Take them to the library to choose books. Read WITH them. Read TO them. Read AROUND them. Show them how exciting a good book can be!
Get involved with your community by volunteering at a school or through a non-profit. I found an amazing group in Chicago called Open Books. Open Books offers 4 unique volunteer opportunities to work with children, teens and adults on reading and writing skills through buddy reading, workshops, field trips, and virtual mentoring. In addition, they have been collecting used books since their inception in 2006 and have an inventory of over 100,000 books. They will use these to stock their nonprofit bookstore and community center (opening Fall 2009) which will help support the program and their mission of literacy.As a former elementary teacher (who never thought she would miss those quirky children) I decided to be a reading buddy. I read with 2 children for one hour a week at a school in my neighborhood. Jayla and Brittney are 1st graders who are incredibly excited to have me come and spend quality time with them in their school library. We eagerly peruse the shelves before we sit down and share the reading experience together. At this young age, they are already enthusiastic about books. All I have to do is encourage their interest and eagerness, a simple, enjoyable task that will hopefully result in a lifelong reader and learner.
I hope to inspire you to become involved in literacy. It could be a small contribution, giving your time as a buddy or donating a few books from your shelves, but it can have a life-altering impact on these children that are our future. For more information on how to support Open Books and their mission, click here. If you don't live in the Chicagoland area, but want to be a literacy volunteer or make a donation, check out ProLiteracy, a website where you can find a program near you. And OPEN SOME BOOKS!
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