Literacy League of Craighead and Poinsett Counties

Joey Organ

Joey Organ says he came to the Literacy League to learn how to read and write. He also states that learning to read and write has helped him in many different ways. Joey is very excited about learning and says that he is very happy that he can now write his own checks to pay his bills. Joey shares that when he now goes to the grocery store, he can read some of the labels and signs in the store. He also states that before he learned to read, he used to be scared when others were talking to him. He says he did not fully understand what they were speaking about. But after learning how to read and write, Joey says he now better understands the conversation, and can easily join in. He says that now he does not have to pretend that he understands what they are talking about. Now he understands and knows.

Joey shares that learning to read has given him more confidence in himself, and says he is working hard to learn more and more. Joey smiles and tells the tutors and staff at the literacy league, that he is now happier than he has ever been, since he has learned to read. It has brought great joy into his life and is causing some wonderful changes to happen in his life.

Jeff Snearly

Jeff came to the Literacy League, rather reluctantly, after scoring low on his evaluations at Adult Education Center. He wanted to get his GED so he could get a good job and support his family and new child. Jeff really didn’t want to be with us but knew he had to. When we did our evaluations on him he seemed a lot further along than his evaluations showed. So we worked with him and tried to fill in the gaps that made his reading weak. There was a lot of time spent with Jeff on his attitude toward learning and correcting the things that were holding him back. He started to make exceptional progress.

Jeff was reevaluated and showed fabulous progress. This week he was sent back to Adult Ed to continue work towards his GED after having improved his reading skills by over four grade levels. He has also been referred to Arkansas Career Pathways to receive additional support and guidance.  Jeff is now experiencing success and has a more diligent attitude towards learning and a hope for the future.

Arestio Mancha

My name is Arestio Mancha, but I go by Eddie. I was born in Texas and am of Mexican heritage. I speak both Spanish and English, but never learned to read either language. As a young man I lived a rough life and only made it through the 5^th grade. I became a Christian and want to preach the Gospel. However, I am often unaccepted because I have no education. I came to the Literacy League to learn to read so that I can study the Bible, show that I am educated and get a better life. Things have been going slowly and I have difficulty with my vowels. Spanish is my first language and it is simple compared to English. But, I am making progress and I am starting to understand some of the things that are hard for me. 

Since I have been attending classes here they have helped me get my Commercial Drivers License, which has helped me get work as a truck driver. The people at the Literacy League have helped me with job applications and information for my jobs. I am still working on progressing so that I can study the Bible. My tutor and I have become good friends. 

Eddie came to us as a literacy student, but in recent weeks we have come to realize that part of his difficulty is due to his lack of knowledge of English words and their meanings. We are now using many ESL methods with Eddie.

Wayne Crenshaw

My name is Wayne Crenshaw. I wanted to get my GED but Adult Ed told me that my test scores were too low. I have some problems with comprehension and keeping focused. While I have been at the Literacy League, my tutor has been working to help me get the information I need from my reading. We are getting close to my retesting to see if I can go to Adult Ed and work on my GED.

Mark Osborne

My name is Mark Osborne. I came to take classes with the Literacy League when they started classes at Arkansas State University, where I work in the housekeeping department. I was always in special education in school and felt I didn’t know anything; the schools didn’t teach me. I blamed the schools and was angry and full of self-pity. When I started classes the tutor pointed out how much I really did know and helped me to work on organizing my thoughts and not being overwhelmed when I read. He also has worked on my spelling and my comprehension. I am hoping to someday take some classes at college and continue to improve myself.