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Literacy New Jersey, Mercer County Programs Announces Fall Tutor Training Courses

Volunteer tutors needed to help adult learners increase basic literacy skills

There are an estimated 60,000 adults in Mercer County who read at the fifth grade level or below. For these individuals, it can be a challenge to fill out a job application, read a utility bill, or follow a prescription label correctly.  Moreover, there is a strong correlation between low literacy skills and the incidence of poverty, unemployment, and poor health.

Literacy New Jersey, Mercer County Programs is a non-profit organization, that is helping to improve these neighbors’ lives by providing free, confidential tutoring that is designed to increase basic reading, writing, listening speaking and math skills. We need your help to do this!

All volunteer tutors are required to complete a comprehensive, 15 hour training course to learn the fundamentals of reading and writing instruction. Literacy NJ Mercer is offering two fall courses. The first runs for five consecutive weeks starting Wednesday, September 21 through October 27, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The second goes from Thursday, September 29 through October 27, and meets from 6pm to 9pm. Both classes will be given in Princeton.  Upon completion of the training course, the volunteer tutor is matched with an adult learner who has registered with our program. Volunteers provide free tutoring services at a variety of public locations including public libraries, workplace sites, churches and retirement homes. 

Longtime volunteer Michael Thiel describes his experience this way, “I began tutoring with LNJMCP almost 15 years ago.  Over that time I have seen many measurable goals accomplished; a student's first letter to her mother, another learning enough English to get independence through a driver's license, and even more with enough fluency to accomplish their ultimate goal of becoming a citizen of this country. 

What we often don't measure are the emotions and immeasurable assets associated with literacy.  We don't quantify the new found independence or the improvement in quality of life at home.  And while we tend to focus on the students' progress, there is something truly special in a program that keeps me and the other volunteers around for so long.”

To register for the upcoming tutor training course or for more information, please contact our office at 609-587-6027, or email us at cmtich@literacynj.org .  

Literacy New Jersey, Mercer County Programs Announces Fall Tutor Training Course

Volunteer tutors are needed to help adult learners increase basic literacy skills for native English speakers and ESOL students

There are an estimated 60,000 adults in Mercer County who read at the fifth grade level or below.  Importantly, there is a strong correlation between poverty, unemployment, crime and low reading skills. Literacy New Jersey, Mercer County Programs (LNJMCP), a non-profit organization, is helping to decrease this number by providing free, confidential tutoring that is designed to increase basic literacy skills and English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) throughout Mercer County.  Volunteers are greatly needed to help us accomplish this goal.

Volunteers provide free tutoring services at a variety of public locations including public libraries, workplace sites, churches and retirement homes. 

All volunteer tutors are required to complete a comprehensive, 15 hour training course to learn the fundamentals of reading and writing instruction. LNJMCP is offering a fall course that runs for five consecutive weeks starting Tuesday, September 29 through October 27. Two classes are being offered - a day class held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and an evening class held from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.  Upon completion of the training course, the volunteer tutor is matched with an adult learner who has registered with our program. “Without question, it is truly an extraordinary experience to help someone learn to read,” said volunteer tutor Isabel Hazel. “When you are fortunate enough to have this skill, you may take it for granted.  However, when you realize how often you need to read every day and how vital this skill is for survival, there is a certain pride in helping others.” 

To register for the upcoming tutor training course or for more information, please contact our office at 609-587-6027.