Literacy Nassau Announces Receipt Of National Grid Foundation Grant
May 17, 2010
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(Uniondale, N.Y.)-Karen M. Johnson, Executive Director of Freeport-based Literacy Nassau, has announced the receipt of a $7,500 grant from the National Grid Foundation, designated to create new Conversation Groups in the Nassau County communities of Elmont and Uniondale, New York. Both areas have a significant number of current and prospective adult learners who seek to improve their basic literacy or English speaking skills. According to Ms. Johnson, “The grant Literacy Nassau has received from the National Grid Foundation will help to open many doors for adults who seek our organization’s help with reading, writing or speaking English. It may come as a shock to many people to learn that in Nassau County alone, there are approximately 240,000 adults who cannot complete tasks essential to daily living due to their struggles with literacy. That number represents nearly 20% of our adult population. We thank the National Grid Foundation for the role it is playing in meeting this challenge.”
About Literacy Nassau Conversation Groups
“Language learning theory suggests that the opportunity to practice oral English in a non-threatening situation is essential to language acquisition,” according to “Talk Time Handbook – Conversation Sessions for Volunteer Facilitators and Limited English Speaking Participants.” Literacy Nassau is the only county-wide organization currently providing Conversation Groups for new English speakers.
Trained facilitators, who are also experienced Literacy Nassau tutors, are responsible for creating a relaxed, supportive setting so participants feel comfortable speaking English. Facilitators are able to draw people out to speak; they actually listen more than they speak themselves. In this environment participants begin feeling like they are meeting friends for a cup of coffee and then speaking becomes easier. While this is not a class with teachers, students and a curriculum, participants are learning. Literacy Nassau Conversation Groups meet weekly, primarily at libraries, for approximately two hours.
Participants practice speaking skills, learn about their community, and gain confidence in their speaking so they will communicate in English with more people in different settings. They also exchange cultural information and experiences with other participants.
“The National Grid Foundation is proud to support Literacy Nassau in its efforts to help new English speakers communicate, said Bob Keller, Executive Director, the National Grid Foundation. “By improving their communication skills, participants gain the confidence and tools to deal with everyday life situations,” he added.
About Literacy Nassau
Since 1968, Literacy Nassau has provided over 30,000 adults in Nassau County with free literacy instruction one-to-one or in very small groups. Serving both native and non-native English speaking adults with the lowest levels of literacy, Literacy Nassau strives to provide people with the option of becoming members of a self-confident and informed populace – understanding issues, representing themselves, taking responsibility for self-improvement and family health, and better able to participate in civic affairs. With over 290 students currently waiting to enter the program, Literacy Nassau’s greatest need is for volunteer tutors. One particular story drives home this need: recently, a 25 year-old waiting student called to find out how long it will take to find him a tutor. Though he graduated from a local high school, he reads at just over the second grade level, doesn’t have a driver’s license, and recently lost his construction job because of an injury. He said with everything going on out there he needs to start moving on his reading. For additional information on becoming a Literacy Nassau Volunteer, call 516.867.3580.
About the National Grid Foundation
The National Grid Foundation was created to enhance the quality of life in areas where National Grid provides services. The Foundation’s ongoing challenge is to create opportunities for solutions to educational and environmental issues. Its objective is based on the principle that giving people the tools to build hope is an essential ingredient in the development of individuals, families, and communities. Since its inception in December of 1998, the Foundation has provided more than $15 million in grants to hundreds of organizations.
Photo:
Former Literacy Nassau Executive Director Tina Sanacore; Adult Learner Assunta Masci; Tutor Mary-Rose Waldron; Nassau County Legislator David Denenberg; Literacy Nassau Board Vice President Barbara Behrens; National Grid Foundation Executive Director Robert Keller; Literacy Nassau Board President Arthur Feldman.
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