VERO BEACH — Forty years ago, a group of eight resolute Vero Beach women took it upon themselves to create an avenue where individuals struggling with literacy could receive confidential, one-on-one tutoring to improve their reading skills.
Their efforts, along with those of hundreds of tutors and supporters who later joined the cause, were recognized and applauded at the Literacy Services of Indian River County Forty and Forward Reunion Luncheon, held Saturday afternoon at The Moorings Club.
Against a backdrop slideshow of clippings and photos from its 1971 founding through today, board president John Banitt read a proclamation from Rep. Debbie Mayfield recognizing Literacy Services’ forty years of service to the community.
Banitt also thanked numerous supporters saying, “We couldn’t do what we do without them.”
Ann Hamner, the organization’s first president, initially spearheaded the effort after reading about a Laubach Literacy course in Melbourne. The friends she “pressed into service” were Marie Banks, Helen Brackins, Nat Jackson, Mary Lane MacMillan, Lolly Morgan, Kathryn Moss and Gertrude Terry.
“From such a simple start, what a long way it has come,” said Hamner. At each place setting were copies of an article written by Lolly Morgan about an early success story that was published in the September, 1973 edition of Lady’s Circle.
“There were many success stories over the years, but Lolly’s was the first and it was published,” said Hamner. She gave particular recognition to Nat Jackson, for remaining a tutor all these years, and to the late Charlie Belmont, a tireless advocate of adult literacy.
“Teaching someone to read gives them independence,” said Hariot Greene, a tutor in the 1970s. “There’s not many things you can do in life better than to give someone independence.”
After retiring to the Moorings in 1984, Ray and Jean Winkler learned of Literacy Services and soon became tutors at the Juvenile Detention Center, where detainees are mostly school dropouts. An education program gives them an opportunity to pursue high school equivalency degrees (GED), with a goal toward stopping the downward spiral.
“Earning a GED is a very big occasion for the students, teachers and volunteers,” said Winkler.
John Burns retired to Vero Beach in 1991 and his first student, a man originally from Jamaica, joined him at the luncheon. Through resolute studies, his student was able to pass the U. S. Citizenship exam and Burns went with him to Miami for the swearing in ceremony.
“It was one of the most rewarding days of my life,” said Burns. “I had helped Wesley here become a citizen of the United States.”
“I have nothing but gratitude for Literacy Services,” said Augustus Johnson another student success story. “It was hard to admit that I had difficulty reading. I really like to read more than watching TV now. When I read a book, I’m in another world.”
Mary Silva, Literacy Services executive director, introduced Jeromey Burns, a new student just starting the process, who proudly read from one of his workbooks.
“Two months ago he couldn’t read a word,” said Silva with equal pride.
“Learning to read is just the best thing in the whole world,” exclaimed award winning author and keynote speaker Martha Powers. Powers entertained with humorous stories, saying she made the switch from romance novels to mystery as it was, “So much easier to kill off people than to make love to them.”
Powers later added, “I’ve always thought if you could read, you could do anything. Through tutoring and teaching people to read, you give them the world.”
Literacy Services currently has a long waiting list of students seeking tutors, a fact not surprising upon learning that one in five adults in Indian River County has substandard literacy skills. Classes to become a tutor are offered through their office at the Main Library.