Library Services
Adult Literacy
Learner Contributions
As a member of our Literacy Advisory Committee, Mistiee has the courage and willingness to speak publicly about her struggle. Mistiee has helped us see through the eyes of the learner and have a better perspective of what it might be like to live without the written word. Mistiee stepped up to the plate at the Library Join Powers Board Meeting to let them know the role her tutor and the literacy service have played in changing her life. She also met with staff from the Department of Human Assistance CalWORKs program to ask why their clients are expected to find jobs when they cannot read or write.
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| Pictured from left, Jackie Miller Literacy Coordinator, Mistiee Gaston, and a very dedicated tutor, Susan Nye. |
Five years ago, Mistiee learned to do what so many other mothers may take for granted -read to her children."I want them to be better than I am."
When Mistiee enrolled in the Sacramento Public Library Literacy Program she could recognize words she saw on a regular basis; words such as restaurant, telephone and restroom. But when new words were introduced she was lost.
A childhood hearing disability impeded her learning process and by the time it was rectified, the damage had been done.
She was 10 years old and couldn't read. Unable- or unwilling- to help, teachers would stick her in a corner and ignore her. In high school, she got up the nerve to ask for help, but it was to no avail. A teacher, showing his insensitivity to her dilemma, suggested she look up words in the dictionary. While the dictionary is a great resource tool, it has no value to a person who can barely read.
The years would make her a survivor. She leaned to function without the written word. But something was missing in her life. Mistiee was scared and ashamed to ask for help. Asking meant people would know. But when she became a mother, she took a leap of faith.
"I wanted it so bad," she shared, speaking of her desire to read. Searching the yellow pages as best she could, she found businesses offering reading instruction. Most wanted $500 or $600 just to confirm what she already knew- she couldn't read.
After several fruitless inquires, Mistiee came across an ad that would change her life. She didn't know it at the time but the ad read, "Adults LEARN TO READ Free, One on One confidential." It was our literacy ad.
This determined lady meets at least once a week with her tutor, mentor and friend, Susan Nye. The two are regulars at the South Natomas Branch Library. Susan says learning to read has helped Mistiee come out of her "shell." It's been amazing to watch her transformation."
Mistiee says the shell Susan refers to was more like a mask. She was hiding from what she couldn't do, and admits to having a chip on her shoulder. "That's what a person does when they're lacking something, they use something else. I didn't want to get to know people. My attitude was 'You can't help me, I can't help you, so why do I want to get to know you.'"
Now Mistiee wants to have a "romantic interlude with a book." Learning how to reading is making that dream a reality and as demonstrated here, the possibilities are endless for this soft-spoken courageous LADY.
Mistiee took another leap of faith and risked her hard earned anonymity to help others. A 3-page feature story, complete with pictures of Mistiee and Susan in the Sacramento Observer September 9-15, 1999, told her heart rending story. "Keeping my mouth shut isn't going to help," she related. "I'm not talking for myself, I'm talking for someone else like me."
Eventually Mistiee would like to attend college, but only if school officials understand her history and are willing to work with her. "I don't want to pretend anymore," she said.
"I don't want to sit in a class and just be passed along, I want to know everything."
By Mae McCarthy, TutorAnita Lopez is a self-made woman who will not take "no" for an answer. She decided long ago that her high school diploma only testified to the fact that she is a pleasant person to have in the classroom. After receiving the diploma, Anita still could not read! It is true that she has a learning disability. It is also true that she can "get mad" at herself when she finds learning difficult. It is also true that Anita's life has been filled with back-breaking laundry work. She is now disabled due to a work injury.
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Anita
Lopez
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When Anita had difficulty completing forms at a local hospital, she had a chance encounter with a staff member who made her aware of our program. That was all Anita needed! She has completed the Laubach books through Book 4 and is now in the Voyager Program. But the story doesn't end here. Recognizing her drive to succeed, one of her tutors suggested that Anita give Sacramento City College a try. She did. Anita did well but she feared that the old pattern was emerging. She had a question in her mind if she was given passing grades and because she was ambitious and pleasant or did she really earn them.
Currently Anita has dropped out of City College and is continuing to work with her tutor. She has every intention of returning when she is assured reading and writing skills meet the standards.
Another footnote to this continuing success story - Anita is married and the mother of two middle grade children. With a home to manage and a supportive family to care for, Anita is doing her best to model her own "American dream."