Former KALP Director Chris Meisenheimer (right) works with a learner
As September is Literacy Awareness Month, Erin Roper, Director for the Kingman Area Literacy Program (KALP), spoke about her organization and the problems related to low literacy.
“Literacy Awareness Month is a way to bring attention to literacy,” she said. “It’s tricky because most people are not 100% illiterate; they have some foundation. So many people may feel they are being blocked from their goals because of literacy problems.” Roper explained that 63% of working adults don’t have the necessary literacy skills to advance in their jobs.
Roper also stated that, on a national scale, an estimated 36 million Americans only possess basic literacy skills, while 43% of those Americans also live in poverty and that $232 billion of health care costs are tied to poor literacy skills. And, in Mohave County, 13% of people over the age of 16 lack even basic literacy skills.
These are gob-smacking numbers. Luckily, KALP actively works within the Kingman community to combat low literacy and the life complications it can cause. According to Roper, KALP is 100% volunteer-run, and works to recruit volunteers and match those volunteers with learners to help improve reading skills and help learners earn GEDs and even learn English as a second language.
“A lot of people who struggle [with literacy] have some overlap with lacking a GED or a diploma,” Roper explained.
KALP is also working to implement a family literacy program called the Read Better Be Better program. The program is a 6-week in-home program designed to help families increase the literacy skills of parents/caregivers and children. There are 15-20 slots available for the first run of the program for families with a second, third, or fourth grade student in their home.
Participating families will attend an orientation session on Thursday, Oct. 7 at 6 p.m. at the MCC Beale Street Center located at 309 E Beale St. Caregivers and parents will meet with staff members from RBBB to learn about the program and receive a Literacy Kit to take home while children enjoy story time and crafts with volunteers.
“I think Kingman is a very family-focused town,” Roper said. “And if an adult or caregiver in the home has low literacy, the kids will have low literacy.” Roper continued, saying that 72% of children of parents with low literacy also grow up to have low literacy skills.
If you would like to help KALP and their mission, they are always in need of tutor and non-tutor volunteers and donations. They have an Amazon wish list you can donate items from, and they accept monetary donations.
For more information about KALP, the RBBB program, or donations and volunteering, please contact Erin Roper by emailing KingmanReads@gmail.com or by calling (928) 421-2367.
Andrea Heer