Program
Wants to Improve Quality_of Life Through Teaching
b> david l dillard
Chronicle Staff Writer
North Carolina has the thir
teenth highest adult illiteracy rate in
the United States and more tators
are needed to stop the cycle from
continuing, an expert said.
Hanna Fingeret, executive
director of Literacy South-, spoke to
a group of tutors Saturday to give
them tips on tutoring adults.
Fingeret said the state is getting
involved in public-school reform
and stimulating growth in the work
place to accommodate more edu
cated workers.
"It's necessary to have more
economic develop to accommodate
literate people," she said. "More
emphasis should be put on adult
illiteracy to improve overall quality
of life and general standard for
everybody."
Fingeret spoke to volunteers
who are part of the Literacy Initia
tive of the Greater Winston-Saiem
YMCA.
The Literac\ Initiative started
as a special project b\ the t nited
Way in 1990. After conducting a
study in 1991. which found that one
in three Forsyth County adult-* over
25 have not completed high school
or received a GIID. the nmittm-e
started providing direct services to
adults, r <
Sandra E. Pennington, execu
tive director of the Literacv Initia
tive. said the program has been suc
cessful in attracting adults.
"Nobody's going to come to
center court in the mall and tell vou
they can't read." she said "You have
to be more creative than that. Most
people will come and try to get help
if they don't feel I i ke - v ou- a re vuW
gling them out."
The program is driven bv vol
unteers who w ho go through 12
hours of training and usually work
with clients at least two, hours a
week. v ?
Pennington said they have over
43 adults in the program and have
partnerships with the Forsyth
Counts Detention Center and
lors\th Technical Community Col
lege. But due to a shortage of funds,
main adults are still not being
reached.
"We're onl\ reaching 6 percent
of the people who need help ? that's
iu>t scratching the surface," Pen
nington said. .''There's more compe
tition for money to agencies provid
ing survival services because you
r can live it you're illiterate."
The initiative works with a
number of black adults, but Pen
nington said the problem crosses the
color barrier and if a greater empha
sis was pin on illiteracy it would
. help solve other societal problems.
crime and poverty, but it's not a
black tiling." she said. "People want
it to be. but illiteracy is a problem
?thut crosses the color line and eco
nomic line. A lot of people have the
potential to learn, but just didn't
have (he chance. We offer them that
chance without them going back
into the classroom."
Sandra Pennington is executive director of Literacy Initiative.
I i i
Currently, the Literacy Initia
tive is seeking help from the
African-.American churches and
more African-American volunteers.
Training sessions for tutors and vol
unteers are going on at the Literacy
Initiative, located at 775 West End
Blvd. Interested persons or those
seeking more information can call
727-9850.
About 300 Relatives and Friends Attend Forsyth Tech Graduation
A Seventy-four students receive general equivalency diplomas at reccent ceremony
By RUDY ANDERSON
Special to the LhmTiide - ' ' '?
A sea of smiling faces illuminated the
auditorium of the West campus at Forsyth
Technical Community College recently, as a
crowd of more than 3(X) relatives and friends
to watch graduation ceremonies of 74 students
receiving their general equivalency diplomas.
The graduates included such combina
tions as three sisters in their fifties; a husband
and wife; and a brother and sister. They all
seem to indicate a sense of shared accpmplish
ment and unity of purpose in facing the future.
For 34-year-old Dennis Keith Little, it
was a dream come true. Little dropped out Of
school in the 10th grade, but later discovered
he had made the wrong move. He began his
program last July.
"1 feel just great." he said. "At times 1 .
wasn't sure I was going to make it. But I had
the drive to achieve that goal."
He urged anyone who lias dropped out to
drop back into education.
Little, a materials coordinator tor Baptist
Hospital, said he was moving on to bigger and
better things since completing his program.
He has been accepted at Winston-Salem State
University and plans to. attend in the tall. Lit
tle s*iid he wants to pursue nursing as a major.
"1 never would have made it this tar if 1
hadn't gotten m\ OLD.' he said. "This was a
?big first step^
It was also u big night lor 2 1 -year-xild
Kawanis Glenn, a single mothet of lour
daughters, who dropped out of school in the
10th grade. She joined the program more than
two years ago. "
"There were mans times that ) wanted to
give up." said Glenn, but I kept thinking
about my children and their needs and what 1
needed to do for them."
Her future plans involve enrolling in the
nursing program at Forsyth Tech and she
hopes to pursue a career as a registered nurse.
Her advice to anyone who had dropped out of
school is to go back.
Passing the test was also a two-year
struggle for Stacy Alexander, 23. who
dropped out during his junior year.
"1 really have accomplished something."
said this father of two. "1 never wanted to quit.
so this means a lot to me."
Alexander said he began the program *
while with the city of Winston- Salem's service
corps. He said he works for the city's street
division as a crew leader. But to according to
Alexander, his career may be taking a turn.
"I'm trying to get a grant to continue my
t I
education at Forsyth Tech," he said.
5 These students and their graduating class
mates were challenged to be a "force for
change*" by keynote speaker Thomas C. King
Jr. ' " *' V . v
King, who is senior vice president and
chief financial officer for the state Department
of Community Colleges, left them with six
guidelines to follow: judge not that you not be
judged; handle trouble in the open: always tell
the truth; build a personal support structure;
do not be afraid to take risks; and be able to
-forgive yourselves and others. ? ?
"Don't spend your life trying to decide
what to do," he said". "Do something, even if
it's wrong. And never take yourself too seri
ously. "
Forsyth Tech's summer q.uarter GED
classes begin June 6-7 in over 20 locations.
All classes are free.
?sdi$$ Stffc UbU V f
Reg. $39.95 S.M.L.XL
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Now $22. (K)
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Dr. Sherr Lynn Thomas
Family Dental Center
We are pleased to announce a
new dentist in Winston-Salem,
Dr. Sherri Lynn Thomas.
She will be taking over the H) yr.
established dental practic e of
Dr. William H. Hoffler |r.
located at
2125 New Walkertown Rd.,
across from the v
Evergreen cemetary.
She comes to us with 10 years of
experienc e including private
practice and military dentistry.
Services offered will include
Extractions, Dentures, Bridge Work
'and Children's Dentistry.
Office Hours: Mon. through Friday,
9-6 p.m.
Telephone: 722-2798
DMO Provider
Bennie
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EVENTS CALENDAR
How to Schedule Your Events Send your information, concisely
and neatly printed or typed, to the Chronicle Calendar. 617 N.
Liberty St.,^ Winston-S^em. N.C 27102. before 5 p.m., the
, _ Monday. p receding the week in which your event will occu r. ...
Our fax number is (910) 723-91 73
May
THURSDAY. MA> 19
? The Central Winston-Salem Association,
the Winston-Salem Javcees. Franklin's Printing.
R.H Barringer Distributing Co. and Rock l>2
will sponsor "Alise After Five", a tree after
work par.ty in downtown Winston Salem on
May 19 from at 5-7:30 p.m. Th<y concert, and
parking are free. The parking lot is at F irst and
Cherry streets. Food and beverages will he
available for purchase. If it rams, the event w ill
be held at The Elms, beneath the parking deck at
the Marque. 452 N. Chern St F or more infor
mation. call Glenda Keels. Centra! W inston
Salem Association at 724- 1 399
SATURDAY. MAY 21
J 2 p.m. - Members of the, Atkins High
School class of 1943 will meet at the Last \\ m
ston Library. All interested persons mas attend.
1 p.m.- Triad Black Media Professional
will meet at the News & R, ^ord in Greensboro.
All persons who work ssith the media or in a
public relations/affairs capacity are invited to
at t e n d LJR ef re shments will be sersed and there
will be guest speaker. The Nesss & Record i.s
located at 200 Fast Market St.
SUNDAY, MAY 22
"4 p.m. ? "W'haris Jabber svock Session" will
be held at the Winston-Salem Urban League for
rising high-school juniors and seniors who are
planning to attend a four-year college and inter
ested in a scholarship. Parents and potential can
didates interested in Jabbcrwock 95 are encour
aged to attend. The esent is Sponsored bs the
Winston- Salem Alumnae Chapter of Delta
Sigma Theta Sorority.
MONDAY. MAY 23
, 7:30 p.m. - The WSSU-Brosvn Alumni
Chapter will meet at the Golden State Insurance
Building at Fast Fifth Street.
TUESDAY JVIAY 24
8 a.m. - The Winston-Salem Merchants
Association, a div ision of the DataMax Corp.. is
sponsoring-a seminar entitled "Women in Man
agement." The speaker will he Troy Ann
Williams, who recently presented this program
to the Greensboro Merchants Association and
received outstanding reviews. For more infor
rnation or registration, call Sherry Wiles or
Chuck l.ott at 777-3595.
5 p.m. - The Forsyth County "Tourism
Development Authont} will meet at the Board
Room at the Chamber of Commerce.
WEDNESDAY, MAY 25
1:30 p.m. - The city of Winston-Salem's
Neighborhood Government Services office.
2301 N. Patterson Ave., will hold a seminar on
"Project Graduation." The seminar will be con
ducted by Shirle> Dixon of the Chamber of
Commerce. Admission is free. Call 727-2975.
ONGOING
? Senior Financial Care is offering a variety
of in-hor^e services to older adults of Forsyth
Count; . They will help balance checkbooks,
reconcile bank statements, write monthly checks
and help with budget matters. Medical-insur
ance claims and drug charges will be filed and
monitored to make sure all benefits have been
paid. Call "25-1972.
? Happ\ Hill Gardens Reunion Committee
will meet even Saturday at W.C. Sims Center
oh Alder Street at 1 p.m. The meeting will dis
cuss the reunion of Happy Hill Gardens. Colum
bia Terrace. The Trot, and Salem reunion on
July 9th. Call William "Rock" Bitting at 650
0858 or Ben Piggott at 727-2837. "
UPCOMING
? Revnolda House Museum of American
_Art will sponsor a city art tour led by Marjorie
Northrup, assistant director of programs, on
Thursday. May 26. from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The tour will include Diggs Gallery and
downtown galleries followed by a picnid in
Grace Court Park. The cost of the tour is $22.
which includes the bus and lunch. Call 725
5325.
? The Piedmont Epilepsy Association will
sponsor a "Chili Cookoff' on Saturday. May 28.
from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Proceeds will go to
the Epilepsy Medication Fund. The cookoff will
be held at Oak Hollow Festival Park. Highway
68 (Eastchester Drive). High Point. The . admis
sion is S2 in advance. $3 at the- gate. Children
under 12 are free. No pets, coolers, containers of
any type. Call 1-800-642-0500.
? Neil and Camilla Wilcox will lead sum
mer sessions for young people in creative writ
ing and enrichment through art at Revnolda
House Museum of American Art. The two-week
long workshops for young writer in grades 5-10
will be June 13 and June 20 from 9 a.m. to
noon. American Arts Discover)' for K-5 will be
on July 11 and July 18. Each session lasts one
week and explores the Revnolda House art col
lection. gardens and grounds.
The cost is $95 and early registration is rec
ommended. Call 725-5325.
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We make personal loans
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834 West Fourth Street
Winston-Salem, NC 27101 ;
724-3127 I |
A:,k for Tammy Slovak or
Lou Wagner
Call or stop by for Information
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3"49 New Walkertown Rd-X
Winston-Salem. NC
(910) 727 1252 WE
State Licensed. IS!
J. LEE CARLTON JR.
ATTORNEY AT LAW
U hen ) on Xe cd </ / > icnd in C 'ourt
1 i RIMIN U. I.\\X -> 1 CIVIl I.W
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725-1041
21 j W. (>th St. next to City Market
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"725-88G4