Free, private tutoring is available to anyone who lives in Benicia, is over 16, out of school, and wants to improve his or her basic reading skills. The tutoring focus is on the student's goals, which often are reading to a child, helping a child with schoolwork, reading the newspaper, using a computer, getting a job - or a better job, getting a drivers license, becoming a citizen, or getting a GED or high school diploma. Adult volunteers from the community are trained to be tutors before being matched with learners.
Pairs meet once or twice a week for their study sessions.
Basic computer classes are offered several times a year to all tutors and learners enrolled in our program. Students learn basic word-processing, do a variety of writing activities, use educational software, and are introduced to the Internet. A computer lab is available to Literacy Program students. The Families for Literacy Program provides special services to Adult Literacy students who have preschool children. The goal of the program is to break the cycle of illiteracy by encouraging adults to read to their children regularly, beginning at a young age.