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Posted on February 11, 2010 10:47
 Literacy Council Tutoring Those Looking For Better Careers, Lives
By Loretta Sorensen
P&D Correspondent
Published: Wednesday, February 10, 2010 12:18 AM CST
Creating a new life in an unfamiliar country can be challenging enough. When you don’t speak the language, the challenges double.
Helen Kifle, a native of Ethiopia, isn’t easily intimidated by obstacles. When she realized that a lack of English skills was holding her hostage, she determined to find a path to freedom.
“I noticed an advertisement in the newspaper about a year ago. It said tutors were available to teach people English and there was no cost” Kifle said. “At that time, I wanted to get a different job. I was working at the local packing plant. Because I couldn’t understand a job application, I wasn’t able to find a better job opportunity. That’s when I called about a tutor.”
The organization offering tutoring services was the Yankton Area Literacy Council. The non-profit organization has served the community for many years, offering tutoring services, reading events and free books for young children.
Newly appointed YALC President Deb Overseth said approximately 12-14 student/tutor pairs have been matched up through YALC. The primary function of the organization is to assist those who want to learn to read and speak or need to improve skills in those areas.
“It’s an important service, especially to those who couldn’t afford to pay for that type of tutoring,” Overseth said. “We don’t charge for any of the services and there are no income guidelines that students have to meet.”
Kifle has been meeting with YALC tutor Sherrill Port for the past year. Several months ago, she was able to secure a new job because of the improvements in her language skills, she said.
“My husband and I lived in California for a while before we moved to Yankton. It was easier there because there were many Spanish-speaking people and you heard lots of different accents in the community,” Kifle said. “Here it’s much different. In the workplace, I’m often the only person with an unusual accent.“
After her family moved to Yankton, Kifle realized that she was unable to go many places unless her husband was with her because of the language barriers she encountered.
“Now I have a lot more independence,” she said.
Kifle is enjoying her work at Sister James Nursing Home. While she’s much happier with her job change and progress in learning English as a second language, she’s not planning to stop improving her skills.
“I want to earn my GED,” Kifle said. “Before I took the job I have now, I didn’t really need the GED. Now it would help me do things like understand television programs and read the newspaper. My daughter, who is 7 now, tries to help. She was born (in the U.S.) and knows the language very well.”
The effort her voluntary tutor is investing in her learning is greatly appreciated by Kifle. She realizes that time and resources are being donated by her tutor and all the YALC tutors working with individual learners in the community.
“She is so good at making sure I understand everything we discuss,” Kifle said. “I push hard sometimes to learn. Not everyone is willing to make that effort to learn English. I know if I don’t, I won’t be able to reach my goals.”
Overseth said YALC’s services not only help individuals improve their reading and English skills but make Yankton a better community.
“When you help people learn to read and write, it improves every aspect of their life,” she said. “That’s why it’s so important for us as an organization to do all we can to promote the services we offer for children, adults and entire families.”
In recent months, interest in YALC’s “English as a Second Language” program has been gaining interest. Like Kifle, many participants are able to obtain better jobs once they polish their abilities to speak and write English.
“We promote our programs through reading activities with children at Head Start, reading with Mrs. Santa and the Easter Bunny and other reading events,” Overseth said. “That’s one way we get information into the homes of families who need our services.”
YALC is currently working toward building its funding foundation so it’s able to provide more services to the Yankton community.
“YALC is a wonderful and needed program in our community,” Overseth said. “With adequate funding, we could provide expanded services to those who need literacy tutoring. We always welcome new tutors and students. We also appreciate the support of other members of the Yankton community and surrounding area who understand the importance of reading and writing skills. By working together, we can have a very positive impact on a lot of lives.”
More information about YALC and its services is available by contacting YALC Program Coordinator Bev Calvert at 605-665-3048 or visiting the office at 231 Broadway Ave, Suite 11.
Copyright © 2010 - Yankton Press & Dakotan
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