Literacy Council changes lives
Posted on Sunday, July 30, 2006
BENTON COUNTY - She wanted something different. Rachael Foster was just shy of her 20 th birthday when she hopped on a bus in Dallas, her hometown, and headed to Memphis.
"I took the long way - 18 hours - because the ticket was $ 30 cheaper than the quicker way," Foster explained. "It was March and it was really a pretty day. I saw mountains for the first time. It looked like they were glowing. They were beautiful and little rays of sunlight were shining all around. I got off the bus when it pulled into Bentonville. I had $ 5 in my pocket."
Foster stayed at the Salvation Army shelter in Bentonville until she earned enough money to rent a small room. One of her first jobs was helping stripe Wal-Mart parking lots. That was four years ago. She's had other jobs and gone through plenty of changes. Foster, now 24, is not the same person who arrived at the bus stop a few years ago. The girl who decided to stay in Bentonville couldn't read. And now, after two years with the Literacy Council of Benton County, Foster will soon start her first semester of college. Being able to read and understand has transformed her life just as it has so many who find their way to the Literacy Council.
After struggling in school for years, Foster discovered she has dyslexia. Her goal now is to become a teacher. She wants to prevent other kids from going through what she went through in school. She wants to help them the way she's found help at the Literacy Council. "These Literacy people are so wonderful," Foster said. "They are awesome. They are patient and kind and willing to work with you and be patient until you understand.
"Donna Hatcher was my tutor. We've become great friends. She's the sweetest, kindest lady and such a good tutor. I love the Literacy Council and all it does for people like me. I was so frustrated and embarrassed for years because I couldn't read and I knew I didn't have a shot at a good job. All that's changing for me. I just wish I could get a scholarship. I'm not sure how I'll pay for college, but I'm going. I can't wait."
The Literacy Council was founded in 1973 as a nonprofit organization with a volunteer board of directors. The council has memberships in both the ProLiteracy America and the Arkansas Literacy Council, Inc. A United Way agency, the council is also supported by federal and state grants along with individual and corporate tax-deductible donations.
Vicki Ronald serves as the executive director at the council and Jennifer Vandiver is the program coordinator.
"It's going very well," Ronald said. "Our biggest need is for volunteers. We need volunteers to tutor or help with the office work or test and assess students. We have so many students whose need is for Adult Basic Literacy. About 75 percent of the students here need English as a Second Language. Both are programs of instruction designed to give a level of ability necessary to function in society. The ABL program is designed for adults who lack competence in reading, writing and speaking English. ESL is, of course, for those who have limited English speaking skills."
Tutors and students work together one-on-one. The only requirements to become a tutor are:
- be 18 years of age or older;
- have a high school diploma or a GED;
- to have the ability speak, read and write English;
- to have the ability to complete 12 hours of training;
- to have the ability to devote three hours each week to tutoring a student.
Rick Neal is board president of the Literacy Council of Benton County.
"I first started tutoring when I lived in Texas," Neal said. "It's a great program and it's really rewarding to get involved and to know that you've helped make a difference in someone's life. Volunteers can be very flexible. We realize people are out of town sometimes and we're happy to work with their schedules. A student and a tutor are matched and they can figure out the best times for them to meet. Most tutors meet for about an hour and a half twice a week."
As a good reader, Rachael Foster's future looks much brighter It hasn't always been smooth sailing since she began her journey toward literacy.
"I've had cancer," Foster said. "Once when I was 17 and again when I was 20. I'm fine now, but I'm anxious to really get going on my life. My mom died last year when she was 46. I worry that I won't have time to do all I've planned. I want to become a teacher because I know I can help kids who are just like I was. I know I can help them and that's what I'm excited about doing - teaching and maybe even being a school counselor.
"There aren't any words I know to express how grateful I am to everyone at the Literacy Council of Benton County. I appreciate them and all they've done more than anyone can imagine. I'm so glad I found out about the Council. I first heard about it at church and when I came to the Literacy office, I waited two weeks for a tutor. It's so nice knowing now that I don't have to fool people anymore. I don't have to have secrets because I can finally read."
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