| Literacy program
has help for a variety of problems
By PAT
NEWMAN
pnewman@TheCitizenNews.com
Fayette County's literacy programs
provide tutorials for young students, language classes for non-English
speaking newcomers and residents, as well as Graduation Equivalency Degree
classes for young men and women.
The program's success and growth rate has been so strong that Fayette
is the only metro Atlanta county, outside Spalding, that employs two full-time
literacy teachers.
Students, coordinators and teachers recently gathered at the Gazebo on
Shakerag Knoll in Peachtree City to recognize their achievements and spread
the word about the local literacy program offerings.
According to Mary Ann Oakney, Griffin Technical College's literacy coordinator
for Griffin Technical College's six-county service area, the growth of
multinational industries in Peachtree City such as Wilden and Hoshizaki
America has fueled the need for more English language classes. "We're
getting more calls from
industries asking for help," Oakney said.
Enrollment in GED classes also is up over past years with an estimated
60 students earning the certificate as of July 1.
Volunteer Debbie Relyea recalled how fulfilling it was to see her student,
a native of China, pass her GED exam. "But the biggest joy is having
a new friend," she added.
Peachtree City currently has the largest language program, which provides
English language classes at two sites: the Gazebo and the First Baptist
Church.
Peter Volin, who works with Oakney, said there are currently 89 students
enrolled with a growing waiting list. The latest demographics break out
to show 29 percent of the students are Japanese, 41 percent are Hispanic
and 30 percent are from other countries.
Aside from all the positives, Volin said the biggest problem is "letting
everybody know we're here." The recent celebration of literacy week
allowed those involved to spread the word in English.
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