March 26, 2006 - 4:00pm
Malaspina University-College Adult Basic Education student Brad Clark knows all about change.
Clark left high school when he was just "a little pup" and worked in construction until three years ago when a car accident left him in a coma for two weeks. When he woke up he realized he had to learn everything over again.
"The brain injury has made me realize the effort it takes to do anything and how much we take things for granted everyday like walking and chewing bubble gum at the same time – I don’t think I can do that even now," said Clark.
"I wanted to change everything and thought that (Literacy Nanaimo) was a good place to start with my career choices."
For more than a decade, Malaspina University-College and Literacy Nanaimo have jointly offered a unique program called the Malaspina University-College/Literacy Nanaimo Volunteer Tutor program. The free 30-hour course is offered twice a year and teaches volunteer tutors how to help students like Clark achieve their educational goals.
"It’s an excellent program," said Kathy Downs, who was Clark’s Literacy Nanaimo tutor for eight months.
"I learned a number of research skills."
"It’s fun and it’s enjoyable," said Downs of her involvement with Literacy Nanaimo over the past three and a half years. "When you have a good day together you know it – things just click…It’s very difficult to face learning again and the students have so much courage to do it."
"We really bonded," said Clark.
Besides learning, Literacy Nanaimo offered Clark a chance to make new friends, build up his confidence and take control over his life.
"To me it was clear from the beginning he was a really smart guy and I think a lot of what he needed boiled down to confidence," said Downs.
Daniel (who has asked to have her last name withheld) knows all about the need for confidence. Eight years ago she had a traumatic life-changing experience which left her fearful of other people and everything around her.
She joined Literacy Nanaimo so she could refine her English language skills (Daniel is a native French speaker) but found there was more than learning to be had.
The experience has boosted her self-confidence and has helped her overcome her fear of other people.
Tam Green, Daniel’s Literacy Nanaimo tutor, said she has found friendship and inspiration from her tutoring experience with Daniel.
"It was something I always wanted to do and felt whatever I could do to help someone I would also get back – Daniel has been a great help to me," said Green, whose experiences with Literacy Nanaimo have opened up a new career focus. She hopes to start the Special Education Assistant/Community Support Worker program at Malaspina in September 2006.
Daniel has had several tutors, all of which she’s enjoyed getting to know.
"I’ve met some good tutors and have had great support from them," said Daniel. "I have kept in touch with them. They are volunteers and they enjoy what they do. I think they’re all great and I really enjoy it."
Becoming a tutor like Green and Downs doesn’t take much. Most tutors meet with their learner about three hours a week. Tutors and learners are matched according to personalities and interests and over the years tutors will be paired up with many different learners allowing them to meet and help lots of people. Tutors must take the free 30-hour course and because of the free training, volunteers are asked to commit to six months with Literacy Nanaimo. The course, which is offered over a five-week period, helps tutors work with people with learning differences and to assist them in improving basic skills such as reading, writing and math.
Spring session starts April 4 at Malaspina University-College. Seats are still available so sign up now by calling Literacy Nanaimo at 754-8988.
Tags: In the Community
