When my third son went away to college, I decided to find some kind of volunteer work. I could not think of a more effective way to improve the common good than to help adults to read. The Literacy Council’s work seemed perfect.
I was matched with Lachelle, a young mother of 2, who was very interested in learning to read at a higher level. As we worked together, one on one, Lachelle’s reading skills have slowly and steadily improved. She has achieved a new level of fluency. Her goal is to read well enough to get a job working with young children.
She works steadily and deliberately and is always ready for a new challenge. As her reading has improved, her self confidence has grown.
As I teach Lachelle to read, she teaches me things too. Lachelle has taught me that even though the road ahead seems very long, taking one step at a time, you can proudly travel down that road.
And possibly our most important achievement, Lachelle and I have become friends.
