by John Baliles

The READ Center provides classroom instruction, one-to-one tutoring, and community programs to adults who want to improve their reading, writing, basic math and digital skills.

Jake Burns at CBS6 reported last week about the 40th Anniversary of one of our region’s most important non-profits — the READ Center, which has been helping improve adult literacy for tens of thousands. READ Center Executive Director Ryan Corrigan is exactly right when he says it is hard to believe that more than 90,000 adults in our region are considered “low literacy,” meaning they read below a third grade level.

“There’s nothing that the low literacy doesn’t impact,” Corrigan said. “If you’re looking at poverty, if you’re looking at crime, if you’re looking at health, if you’re looking at workforce development, this touches everything.”

Corrigan points out how vital literacy is for what many people might consider to be the most mundane of tasks.

“To read their prescriptions, to take a driver’s license test, to fill out a job application, to read their book of faith, to read a homework assignment with their children or grandchildren,” Corrigan said.

The READ Center was actually founded as the Literacy Council of Metropolitan Richmond in 1982 by Altrusa International Richmond, Inc., a professional women’s business service club, and became a non-profit organization in 1984. It is located next to Willow Lawn and offers free one- on-one tutoring and classes for people to best fit with their schedule. The organization is planning to open a new location in the city’s East End.

Corrigan says that adult illiteracy is a fixable issue and there is absolutely nothing wrong with admitting you might need help improving your literacy skills at one level or another.

“We have the utmost respect for anyone who raises their hand and says, ‘I need help,’ because there’s no shame in admitting that we can all be better at something,” Corrigan said. “The shame and the stigma that have ever come with low literacy needs to go away because this was never anything that anyone chose.”

Improving literacy skills depends on how busy a learner is with work and family, and advancing on reading level can take 100-150 hours of instruction. In 2023, 40% of the students had a high school diploma or equivalent, 39% were employed, and 55% of the students were reading at a 3rd grade level or less. Half of the center’s students were from the city and 23% from Henrico. In 2023, the READ Center reached 173 adult learners and 115 volunteer tutors provided more than 6,000 hours of classroom and tutoring support.

Stephen Gura, a retired federal attorney, is a volunteer teacher who is enthusiastic with his post-career mentoring and very fulfilled by helping people improve their lives with each session.

“Growth and education are possible for everyone, at every stage of their lives, and I’m impressed by the strength and the courage of people who come to us. Once you take that step, the world opens up,” Gura said. “When you see someone get it for the first time, It’s like a ‘joy bomb’ going off in your heart.”

Jon Baliles is a former Richmond City Councilman. This column is republished here with permission from his blog, RVA 5×5.