Women Leading Through Reading - ARCHIVE
(History 1995 - 2002)
For
current info, please return to:
http://www.litwomen.org/wltr.html
or
Contact
Mev Miller, Director
WE LEARN
182 Riverside Ave.
Cranston, RI 02910
401-383-4374
welearn@litwomen.org
Minnesota Literacy Council
756 Transfer Rd.
St. Paul, MN 55114
651-645-2277
651-645-2272 (fax)
www.themlc.org
Amazon Bookstore Cooperative
4432 Chicago Ave. So.
Minneapolis, MN 55407
612-821-9630
612-821-9631 (fax)
www.amazonbookstorecoop.com
Note: Amazon Bookstore Cooperative is an independent women's
bookstore that has been serving the Twin Cities and surrounding areas
since 1970. They have NO connection to amazondotcom.
Six
articles about Women and Literacy
Resource
List of Materials
WE
LEARN 
Women Expanding • Literacy Education Action Resource Network
Women Leading Through Reading was an initiative with a twofold purpose: to raise awareness about the particular challenges women face as they seek to enhance their literacy skills, and to explore alternative ways for women to improve their literacy skills.
This community-based effort addressed issues pertaining to women and literacy by:
- offering book discussion groups for women who are lower-level readers
- providing facilitator training and placement
- developing women-centered accessible materials for book groups
About
the book groups....
Women Leading Through Reading book discussion groups created an
environment where all participants shared an equal role. Co-facilitated
by trained volunteers, these groups provided a unique opportunity for
adult women to build skills and a sense of community as well as develop
social and conversational skills. The groups were not intended for beginning
level learners, but designed primarily for women who have reached some
level of skill. However, some groups did operate successfully with learners
with basic literacy proficiencies. The groups supplemented, not replaced,
classes or tutoring at community-based programs. They offered a unique
opportunity for participatory learning--and they were fun!
Where
book groups were located...
We had been sponsoring book groups primarily in learning centers throughout
the Twin Cities and surrounding areas. We had also tried to sponsor book
groups in the many other places where women gather to develop their skills:
residential facilities, community centers, libraries, churches, social
service agencies, women's centers, and so on.
Efforts
to reduce barriers...
We encouraged women to contribute what they could to their own needs.
However, to be sure that women could participate, we tried to reduce some
of the barriers that often prevented women from pursuing their educational
goals. To this end, we provided services or compensation for transportation
expenses and childcare. We also kept the cost of resources low and often
bought materials for the groups as necessary.
Best
Practices Training Manual...
In 1997, with the assistance of a grant from Laubach Literacy Action,
we produced a training manual for learning centers and other organizations
interested in organizing book discussion groups. There are no more print
copies available of the Best Practices Training Manual.