WILMINGTON — A literacy organization in Delaware is recruiting volunteers for its upcoming tutor training session to reach adults with limited literacy and English language skills throughout the state. According to Literacy Delaware, improving an adult’s literacy and English language skills has a positive impact on their lives and the lives of their families, as well as on the communities in which they reside.

“The number of adults in Delaware who cannot read at more than a 3rd grade level and/or who don’t speak English well would fill 11 UD football stadiums,” said Cindy Shermeyer, Literacy Delaware executive director, an organization in the First State that helps adults in need reach their potential by as confident, self-sufficient, and productive employees, family members and contributors to their communities. 

New tutors help the organization reduce their waiting list of adults ready to work on improving their abilities. Anyone can become a tutor; no experience or special skills are required. 

“If you’ve ever tied a shoe or helped a child learn their ABCs, you’ve been a teacher,” said Sussex County Coordinator Dale Ashera-Davis. 

Since 1983, Literacy Delaware Inc., a 501(c)3 non-profit, has been assisting adults to improve their literacy and English language skills free of charge using trained, volunteer tutors

Recruitment of new volunteer tutors is currently underway.  An orientation session will be held on Thursday, Dec. 16, with tutor training sessions each Thursday from Jan. 6 through Jan. 27. Afternoon and evening sessions are available. All training and instruction are currently being conducted online due to the pandemic. 

Literacy Delaware provides required training and instructional materials. Volunteers are matched with adult learner(s), individually or in small groups, who need reading, writing or English language instruction. Volunteers meet weekly with client(s) at mutually convenient times and locations; this can be done virtually. Support from staff is always available when needed.