This spring, the Davie Community Foundation awarded a $1,200 grant to the Davie Family YMCA for their Davie County Reads program. This initiative provides literacy services for Davie County residents through one-on-one and group tutoring and support services. This year’s funds provided equipment for the computer lab and additional books to serve more students.
The program is divided into two subcategories: Adult Literacy and Adult ESL. Adult ESL is the leading subcategory in terms of demand. One of the goals of this program is that eligible students, at the end of the four year program, will take a citizenship test to become American Citizens. This fall, a student passed her citizenship test.
There are other students in the program who, instead of applying for citizenship after becoming fluent in English, decided to pursue higher education. One former student successfully completed a college entrance exam and is currently pursuing a career as a nurse.
Ligia Smith, Davie County Reads coordinator, says that the program has helped participants not only achieve success in the social and academic realms, but also professionally. “The participants have reported being promoted due to being able to communicate better, read and write, and comprehend instructions in English,” said Ligia. Others have reported being able to successfully perform job interviews, and most recently, with the closing of one of the biggest Hispanic employers in Mocksville, the program has new students who are eager to improve their English skills so that they can become more employable in a tough job market.
If you know someone who may benefit from Davie County Reads, call the Davie Family YMCA at (336) 751-9622 for more information.
