Project Read helping Utah adults become literate


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SALT LAKE CITY -- Most reading programs target young students, but KSL News found a group that helps the more than 9 percent of Utah adults considered illiterate. It helps people confront a problem most of them won't admit.

When Valerie Roberts came to Project Read, she worked 10 hours a day making TV dinners. The job required her to stand all 10 hours.


Before Project Read I really thought that I would just make it through life and that's all there is to it, but it isn't that way.

–Valerie Roberts


#roberts_quote

"I knew that I didn't have the reading skills to get any type of sit-down job," she said. "I thought it was just too late. I thought that I would feel miserable for the rest of my life."

Roberts has a son in prison who is taking a reading class. He would erase his answers in his workbook and send it home for her.

"They asked him why, and he said that his mom had a reading problem and he was erasing them and sending them to me. So they told him they would just send me the packet," Roberts explained.

Like most adults who can't read, or can't read well enough -- there are 21,000 in Utah County alone --Roberts got by and found ways to compensate. Organizers at Project Read see this every day.

"I think probably one of the most intimidating things I could imagine would be to walk into this office, for example at 50 years old, and say 'I can't read and I need help,'" said Shauna Brown, of Project Read. "I have an amazing amount of respect for someone who can walk in and say that."

When Roberts could finally say that, for first time in her life she received one-on-one tutoring and began to thrive. Now she can accomplish basic tasks like reading road signs, food labels and filling out applications -- which helped her land a job that got her off her feet.

"Before Project Read I really thought that I would just make it through life and that's all there is to it, but it isn't that way," Roberts said.

More than 100 people like her completed Project Read's program last year. CLICK HERE for more information on that program.

Email: dwimmer@ksl.com

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