Kosciusko Literacy Services Marks 20 Years Of Service
Posted
Cindy Cates, Exec. Dir.-
Officially incorporated in November 1993, Kosciusko Literacy Services is celebrating its 20th anniversary. KLS began at the Alternative Learning Center (now Gateway Education Center) as a group of dedicated volunteers tutoring adults in basic education – learning to read and write. In 1992 these volunteers formed a coalition, Kosciusko Literacy Volunteers of America, under the auspices of the national organization Literacy Volunteers of America. KLVA changed its name to Kosciusko Literacy Services in 2000, to reflect expanding services to meet literacy needs in Kosciusko County. Tutoring expanded to include high school equivalency tests (formerly the GED®) and English as a second language. Workplace literacy and other off-site classes and tutoring are available. Focusing on all aspects of literacy, KLS has various literacy programming for Kosciusko County residents from birth to senior citizens. Programs include: One-on-One Tutoring for Adults Tutors and materials are provided at no cost for adult students who are learning to read, earning a high school equivalency, or learning English as a new language. KLS works in cooperation with Warsaw Adult Education, located at the Gateway Education Center, to provide this service. Literacy and Workplace Classes KLS provides adult literacy classes with a reading specialist at Gateway Education Center. In addition, KLS can provide on-site instruction at area companies for employees who want to learn English as a second language, as well as workers who want to improve grammar and writing skills. Tutors can be provided for classes or one-on-one instruction. Jail GED and Literacy Tutoring The Kosciusko County Jail and KLS collaborate to provide High School Equivalency Preparation Classes with a licensed teacher. Read to Grow Children's Book Club To develop kindergarten readiness, Read to Grow Children's Book Club provides one free book a month to each child, from birth to age 5, living in low-income families. Parents are encouraged to read regularly to their children. Regular reading to children promotes proper brain development during the prime time for learning literacy skills, the first five years of life. Reading Won’t Wait Reading Won’t Wait places good, used children’s books in waiting rooms, public laundries and common areas of housing communities. Dr. Seuss Reading Celebration To encourage reading for pleasure among Wawasee elementary students, guest readers present each classroom’s library with new books and read a favorite story to the children. Baby’s First Book This program provides an ABC board book, early childhood literacy information, and Warsaw Community Public Library information to families of each child born at Kosciusko Community Hospital. Plant the Seed – Read! Community Book Read In addition to reading for pleasure, the goals of the community book read are to illustrate the Search Institute’s 40 Developmental Assets® and to promote a sense of community, literacy awareness and life-long learning. Throughout the county, books are placed in bright yellow bins with signs inviting community members to join the community book read, share the book with a friend, and return the book to the bin so that someone else may read it. A volunteer board of directors governs Kosciusko Literacy Services, a community-based 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization (as determined by the IRS). KLS is a United Way Agency and is an affiliate of ProLiteracy Worldwide and a member of the Indiana Literacy Association. Grants from the United Way of Kosciusko County and other local foundations, donor drives, an author dinner, and other in-house fundraising efforts provide program funding. The board of directors expresses sincere gratitude to the contributors, volunteers, staff, and past board members who have made literacy a cornerstone of educational development in Kosciusko County.
