INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — “Literacy saves lives.” That was simple yet powerful message expressed by Food Network celebrity chef and author Curtis Aikens at a pairing of events last Friday to benefit Literacy Services of Indian River County.
Aikens has taken his charismatic personality on the road as an advocate for adult literacy – relating the story of his own incredible journey.
“He is just so gracious and personable,” said Mary Silva, Literacy Services executive director. “He really and truly cares about education and literacy.”
The affable advocate lived up to his stellar reputation, charming guests at both events with warmth, humor and an obvious passion for the cause.
His day began with an inspirational talk to 140 guests at the Riomar Golf Club, for the annual Love of Literacy Luncheon, honoring student and tutor accomplishments.
Literacy Services was established more than 40 years ago, and after welcoming and thanking attendees and sponsors, board president Don Mann recognized the original founders who were in attendance – Gertrude Terry, Marie Banks and Nat Jackson.
The award presentation began with the Barbara Levere Outstanding Service Award, presented in absentia to Ginny Blossom on behalf of the William Bingham Foundation for its $45,000 gift to launch a Family Literacy program in the north county area, primarily targeting Fellsmere.
The Nat Jackson Award was presented to Beth Ottesen, who has provided more than 600 tutoring hours over the past five years. She currently tutors three students; preparing specific lesson plans for each of them.
Two students received ESOL (English as a Second Language) Student of the Year awards – Beatriz Ceron, tutored by Sandra Blum, and Juana Cruz, tutored by Carole Britto.
The two women have a shared goal of improving their English skills to play more influential roles in their children’s educational advancement.
Johnny Cartwright, tutored by Faye Sheppard, and Margaret Wynn, tutored by Jerry Amico, received Literacy Student of the Year.
Both are now “paying it forward” – Cartwright by reading with his grandchildren, and Wynn by using her training to help her young nephew who is struggling in school.
Aikens offered congratulations and encouragement to them all saying, “Had it not been for my tutors and an incredibly great literacy group like this one, none of this would have happened. When I think about it I go wow – I have to pinch myself. If I can do this, you can do this.”
His story is an unfathomable one – graduating from high school and attending two years of college on a football scholarship – despite being unable to read. He only learned to read at age 26 through an adult literacy program.
But once he put his mind to it, there was no stopping him. Aikens will earn a Master’s degree in Education Leadership on May 18, and plans to pursue a Doctorate in Social Welfare.
“It’s like being in a room that’s dark. Now that I can read, the lights are on. I love picking up a book; I love literacy.”
Initially imagining that if he sounded smart, people would think he was, he sought help after realizing that his options for success were limited.
Of his strategy for success, Aikens says, “You think it, you say it out loud, you write it down and you do it.”
The approach resulted in a domino effect – penning his first book helped launch his television show, which created a platform to promote literacy.
“Every child should learn how to read, but we’ve got to also come at it from the adult side. You’ve got to combat illiteracy from many angles.”
“It has been the most rewarding experience of my life,” said Toby Mann, a 15-year tutor with husband Bill, encouraging others to become a volunteer tutor. “If you’re interested give it a try; it’s the best thing you can do.”
Silva applauded the students who she said, “have mustered the courage and the strength to want to improve their lives. We’re helping them to do that – one page, one book, one life at a time.”
The evening event, at the beautifully remodeled Riomar Beach Club, featured an intimate Read Between the Wines dinner for 50 guests.
“At the time, I thought it was unique; but it’s not,” said Aikens ruefully when questioned about receiving a college scholarship despite his inability to read. He dropped out after his sophomore year because, “Living that lie got to be too much.”
As guests perused silent auction items and took in the gorgeous beachside setting, Ginny Blossom, a trustee for the William Bingham Foundation, spoke of their support.
“We’ve supported Mary in the past and really appreciated all she was doing with such a small budget. I thought, wouldn’t it be great if we could get behind them and give them a jumpstart to build their donor base.”
After granting a gift of $45,000, the Foundation challenged Literacy Services to raise an additional $45,000 which they will match with a second gift of $45,000.
“I think they’ll do it tonight,” said Blossom.
And indeed they did. The resultant $135,000 will open up a whole new world for individuals seeking to improve their literacy skills.
“The impact it has on children if their parents can’t read has a ripple effect,” said Bob Brackett, stressing the importance of family literacy.
Participation in the Family Literacy project thas dramatically increased – from an initial 32 students per year to 72 students this past month alone.
“It’s a two-hour program,” explained Mann. “The first hour, parents and children are tutored separately. In the second hour, they come together and learn as a family through games and reading exercises.”
Speaking to guests later in the evening, Aikens likened literacy to a sandwich, with adult literacy support as the key to the sandwich. He explained that people love to support children’s literacy – the bottom half of the sandwich. But that without the top part of the sandwich – adult literacy support – you don’t have a sandwich.
“We must provide a network of support for both. For without both, there will never be a literate community.”
Literacy Services of Indian River County, which is funded solely by donations, provides free, individual tutoring to adults who want to improve their reading and writing skills and to foreign-born students learning English as a second language.
Its Family Literacy and Reading to Babies and Toddlers programs seek to break the cycle of illiteracy.
