IndyReads: More than twice as many learning to read

Less than two years after gaining its independence, Indy Reads has more than doubled its services, officials of the non-profit organization have reported.

“We are on track to be working with 725 literacy and ESL students this year,” said Indy Reads Director of Programs, Tom Miller, “plus there are another 125 or more adults who are using our Literacy Labs.” In 2007, the first year that Indy Reads existed on its own, the organization provided free tutoring to 351 Marion County adults.

“This is extraordinary – 850 adults!,” said Executive Director Travis DiNicola. “We’ve helped more adults to read in Indianapolis than ever before in our 25 year history.”

Indy Reads began as a volunteer-based organization and received not-for-profit status in 1984 as a program of the Indianapolis Marion County Public Library. It operated under the library’s auspices until the end of 2006.

“IMCPL remains our greatest partner in providing literacy services,” said DiNicola, “but by being independent, we are able to reach more adults in more communities than ever before. We could not have done this without the very generous help of all of our community partners and dedicated volunteers.”

DiNicola said his organization’s newest program, providing Literacy Labs in neighborhood centers, jails and Indianapolis Public Schools, helps reach even more adults who struggle with reading.

The Literacy Lab program provides short-term services for clients, while also giving those clients access to long-term instruction. DiNicola said the Literacy Labs are located where the adult students live and work: in their neighborhoods, providing them the immediate help they need. Free labs are open at designated times, during which “reading coaches” volunteer to help adults with “tactical” or task-based reading, writing, and life-skill issues – such as applying for a job, reading a prescription, understanding their bills, and responding to letters from a landlord. They also provide basic literacy tutoring, and assistance with preparing to take the GED.

Current Literacy Lab locations include the John H. Boner Community Center, Horizon House, Jail II, IPS’s John Hope Education Center, the Mary Rigg Neighborhood Center, and LYN House, all in the IPS district, plus a lab at Northview Middle School in Washington Township. The next lab planned is for IPS #14 on East Market Street.

Who does IndyReads serve?

45 percent live in the Indianapolis Public Schools district.
46 percent are African-America, 21 percent Caucasian, 15 percent Hispanic and 6 percent Asian.
The average entry reading level for clients is third grade.
55 percent are women, 45 percent men.
50 percent are adult literacy students, while the other half are English as a Second Language students.
59 percent meet with their volunteer tutors in urban branches of the Indianapolis-Marion County Public Library serving Indianapolis Public Schools.
More than one third of the volunteer tutors live within the IPS district.