An Article from the Memphis Defender

This article was published on the thirtieth anniversary of Literacy Memphis’s founding.

July 1, 2002. Page A1.

Literacy Memphis Celebrates Thirty Years of Success

Philip Haynes

Literacy Memphis opened its doors thirty years ago today. Since then, the organization estimates that it has helped more than eleven thousand Memphians improve their basic literacy and English skills.

"We’ve had tremendous success,” says Executive Director Carole Cooper. “And that’s measuring by any standard. We’ve been recognized as one of the most effective volunteer organizations in the city. We’ve also been recognized as one of the best literacy programs in the country."

This is not idle boasting. Cooper proudly displays the many awards and commendations the organization has won over the past three decades. Among them are congratulatory letters from Presidents Carter and Clinton, a Key to the City from former Mayor of Memphis Wyeth Chandler, and a 1994 plaque naming Literacy Memphis one of the five best literacy programs in the country.

Cooper is proudest, however, of what she calls the “Wall of Letters.” In the lobby of the organization’s midtown headquarters, Literacy Memphis has framed and now displays more than one hundred letters from former students. “Many of these people couldn’t read or write before they came to us.” She says, beaming, “Now, look what they can do.”

The letters are truly inspiring. “I wanted to change my life and get ahead,” one of the letters reads. Another reads: “I used to have to take my mail and let someone else read it. Now I just get my mail out of the mailbox and sit there and read it myself."

Another letter says simply, “Now I can read my Bible myself.”

And another: “I feel like a new world is opening up to me and I don’t want to stop."

A History of Service

Literacy Memphis was founded primarily as a tutoring organization. “Our original vision was simple,” says Cooper. “We wanted to help adults learn to read through one-on-one tutoring."

For its first five years, this is what Literacy Memphis did. With the help of a growing number of tutors, the organization helped adults reading below the fifth-grade level to improve their reading and writing skills.

In the late 70’s, the organization decided to expand. “We realized that we needed to address some of the root causes of illiteracy,” says Bobby Parks, the Director of the organization’s Read Me a Story program. “So we began brainstorming. What could we do to fight illiteracy?"

The organization decided to initiate two new programs. The Read Me a Story program emerged from Cooper’s and Park’s sense that it was important to encourage reading in families. “Kids learn many of their basic literacy skills and habits at home. We wanted to encourage all families, and particularly families near or below the poverty line, to read at home,” says Parks. “That’s one of the best things they can do to ensure their kids’ future success.”

The Read Me a Story program is now in its twenty-second year. More than four hundred families currently participate.

The other program that emerged from Literacy Memphis’s expansion was called Memphis Reads. This program “is essentially a mobile task force,” says Cooper. “We’ve gathered together all of our expertise in literacy instruction and grassroots organization. And we take it to other community organizations—churches, synagogues, YMCA’s, and groups in some of the smaller towns throughout the region.”

The program has been quite successful. “We’ve helped more than twenty organizations in Memphis and the Mid-South form their own literacy programs,” says Robert Hodges, Director of the program. “At present, we’re developing a really exciting program with the Memphis Shelter for the Homeless. We’re helping train some of the volunteers at the shelter in tutoring skills. We’re also trying to spread the word among the homeless population that we’re here to help."

"Ultimately,” Hodge continues, “we hope to develop a relationship with the Shelter where we share resources. We’ll provide them with help in tutoring, and they’ll provide us with help in addressing the needs of some of our most challenging students."

The Importance of Success

"We’re very proud of what we do,” says Cooper. “Of the seventy students we’ve worked with in the past year, nearly two thirds have increased their reading skills by at least one grade level."

Cooper emphasizes that such success has important consequences. Studies have shown that with increased levels of literacy, adults become more self-reliant and are better able to fully participate in the community. “They get better jobs, better wages, and they’re less likely to rely on public assistance."

Just as important, notes Cooper, is the effect on children. “Several studies have shown that children whose parents receive literacy instruction improve their grades and test scores and are less likely to drop out of school."

A Vision for the Future

What are Literacy Memphis’s plans for the future? “To keep doing good work,” says Cooper. “We’ve just established a computer lab so that our students can learn computing skills. That’s becoming a necessity in the job market."

The organization hopes to expand both the Memphis Reads and Read Me a Story programs. They also hope to attract a number of new volunteer tutors. Literacy Memphis has more students than ever on its waiting list, all of whom want to begin a six-month course of one-on-one meetings with a tutor.

"If you want to help out, give us a call,” says Cooper. She emphasizes that the organization also needs other forms of volunteer help. “We need volunteers to help us in the office, to do community outreach, to help out in the computer lab. Give us a call and share your skills!"

Finally, says Cooper, the organization is always in need of donations. “Financially, we’re in okay shape. But the recent budget cuts at both the state and federal levels really scare us. We need all the individual and business support we can get."

If you’re interested in serving as a volunteer, or if you’d like to make a business or individual donation, call Literacy Memphis headquarters at 555-READ, or e-mail them at readers@literacymemphis.org.

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