Troy CAN, Oakland Literacy Council team up to launch Troy CAN Read, an adult education program aimed at boosting reading skills of city residents and workers

Troy, Mich., October 18, 2010 – With the goal of making Troy residents and commuting workers better readers, and the City a more attractive location for emerging industries and new companies, the Troy Career Assistance Network has partnered with the Oakland Literacy Council to launch Troy CAN Read, an adult reading improvement program.

The program is the first to be developed by Troy CAN and seeks to meet the needs of an estimated 13 percent of the City’s adult population reading below the eighth-grade level. While that fact puts them at a serious disadvantage in the local job market, Bob Stromayer, director of Troy School’s continuing education program and one of the organizers behind Troy CAN Read, views the numbers as an opportunity.

“We can help because, often, adult learners recognize the value reading brings to their lives,” Stromayer said. “For some, it’s about being able to pursue a meaningful career or simply fill out a job application. For others, it’s the way to citizenship. But for every one of them, it’s about a better, more enriched life.”

Data shows a correlation between an individual’s reading level and his or her salary. In addition, 21st century jobs increasingly rely on the ability to process growing amounts of complex information. Workers with below average reading skills are in danger of being left behind. Consider these facts: *

· At least one in five Americans is illiterate

· Among adults, 25% read at rudimentary levels

· These adults can’t read a newspaper, bus schedule, a food or drug label, complete a form, or balance a checkbook

· The inability to read can lead to mental health issues such as depression and anxiety

· Just 10% of those in need are being reached

To attack the literacy problem locally, Troy CAN Read is recruiting volunteers to serve as tutors. Volunteers will complete a special interactive training session and then be assigned an adult learner for one- to two-hour weekly training sessions.

“Adult learners are highly motivated,” says Julie Hoensheid, who both trains and tutors adults. “They work very hard and when they succeed, it’s like we both win. It sounds cliché to say the work is rewarding, but I get so much from these amazing people.”

Tutor training begins Saturday, November 13, at 10 a.m., at Michigan Works-Troy, located at 550 Stephenson Hwy in Troy. Volunteers and interested adult learners can learn more at www.troyCAN.org, www.oaklandliteracy.net, or by calling the OLC at 248.253.1617.

TroyCAN is a community group that includes the City of Troy, Troy Chamber of Commerce, Troy School District and representatives from business, education, government, nonprofits and other area organizations working together to facilitate the education and/or employment success of the adult learner in Troy.

The Oakland Literacy Council provides basic literacy and English language instruction to adults to assist lifelong learning, employment skills and personal wellbeing. The OLC envisions a future where Oakland County residents will have the skills, knowledge, and understanding needed to flourish in today's complex and interconnected world.  Increased literacy enables students to achieve personal and educational goals, participate in the democratic process, increase workplace productivity, and strengthen family literacy habits, thereby improving the overall quality of life.

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*Source: charityguide.com