"It’s not how you start; it’s how you finish". These are the words Marty Calanche, adult literacy student uses to describe his outlook on life. Learning to read as an adult takes a lot of courage, determination and hard work. Take Marty's story as a true example of how long and difficult the road to literacy can be.
Marty was pushed through school, even though he knew he was not reading or spelling at the same level of his classmates. After the 11th grade, he left high school and went to work. He did well until he was laid off. When he tried to find a new job, all the potential employers gave him the same line: He would need his GED (high school equivalency diploma) to apply.
Marty became discouraged with the system and turned to alcohol for a number of years, until one day, he decided to change his life. In 2010, Marty went to ProLiteracy member program, Literacy Connects in Tucson, and began his adult literacy journey.
Marty said “I was embarrassed. When you can’t read you think that you’re the only one like this. But the staff and tutors at Literacy Connects are so encouraging. I’m excited that I will soon be able to write a letter to my mom, for the first time ever. Someday I will get the G.E.D. that I’ve been wanting since I was a kid.”
Since learning to read, Marty has become an ambassador for adult literacy and ProLiteracy, he has participated as a student, tutor trainer, advocate and is the newest ProLiteracy board member. In 2013, Marty was invited to be on the floor of the Arizona House of Representatives as the honored guest of his local representative.
ProLiteracy is here to support the tutors and programs who work tirelessly everyday, to help adults learn to read, speak English, or earn their high school equivalency degree.
In celebration of National Adult Education & Family Literacy Week, ProLiteracy has launched the first Adult Literacy Day of Giving to support adult literacy.
Your donation to ProLiteracy will be used to support members across the United States in providing them quality educational materials so tutoring and learning is easier and up-to-date; supporting programs and learners with new technology to enable learning and training; and advocating for adult literacy while making the public more aware of this fundamental social issue.
ProLiteracy believes that EVERY adult has a right to literacy, so let's all take a cue from Marty and give adult learners a chance to reach their goals. It's all about how you finish.
Marty was pushed through school, even though he knew he was not reading or spelling at the same level of his classmates. After the 11th grade, he left high school and went to work. He did well until he was laid off. When he tried to find a new job, all the potential employers gave him the same line: He would need his GED (high school equivalency diploma) to apply.
Marty became discouraged with the system and turned to alcohol for a number of years, until one day, he decided to change his life. In 2010, Marty went to ProLiteracy member program, Literacy Connects in Tucson, and began his adult literacy journey.
Marty said “I was embarrassed. When you can’t read you think that you’re the only one like this. But the staff and tutors at Literacy Connects are so encouraging. I’m excited that I will soon be able to write a letter to my mom, for the first time ever. Someday I will get the G.E.D. that I’ve been wanting since I was a kid.”
Since learning to read, Marty has become an ambassador for adult literacy and ProLiteracy, he has participated as a student, tutor trainer, advocate and is the newest ProLiteracy board member. In 2013, Marty was invited to be on the floor of the Arizona House of Representatives as the honored guest of his local representative.
ProLiteracy is here to support the tutors and programs who work tirelessly everyday, to help adults learn to read, speak English, or earn their high school equivalency degree.
In celebration of National Adult Education & Family Literacy Week, ProLiteracy has launched the first Adult Literacy Day of Giving to support adult literacy.
Your donation to ProLiteracy will be used to support members across the United States in providing them quality educational materials so tutoring and learning is easier and up-to-date; supporting programs and learners with new technology to enable learning and training; and advocating for adult literacy while making the public more aware of this fundamental social issue.
ProLiteracy believes that EVERY adult has a right to literacy, so let's all take a cue from Marty and give adult learners a chance to reach their goals. It's all about how you finish.
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