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It’s never too late to make resolutions or goals, says Ruben Diaz Sanchez (right) of Altus. He is proudly holding his Certificate of Naturalization to show that he completed his 2012 goal of becoming an American. His wife Guadalupe (left) gave him support, along with the Great Plains Literacy Council, in completing the requirements.

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New Year resolutions usually cover personal goals, and Great Plains Literacy Council adult learner Ruben Diaz Sanchez is one person who knows that goal setting can motivate one to achieve improvement. Ruben set his 2012 New Year’s resolution to obtain his U.S. citizenship, which he has achieved. He wants others to set their 2013 goals to include the citizenship pathway or some other aspects of literacy. And in 2013, the Great Plains Literacy Council will continue to provide opportunities for adults who want to gain literacy skills or for adults who want to become volunteer tutors.

“Tutoring helps the adult learner, but it also helps the tutor or instructor,” encourages GPLC Bi-lingual Facilitator Aleida Burchett. “It only takes one to two hours a week to change your life by becoming an adult learner or a tutor.” There is always a need for more volunteers to help adults acquire basic reading, writing, and speaking skills. The profile of a tutor include these qualifications: dependable and prompt, interested in and enjoys relating to a variety of people, willingness to maintain the confidentiality of the lessons, flexible, friendly, patient, optimistic, and a sense of humor.

The Great Plains Literacy Council will show volunteers how to teach the basics of reading, writing and speaking English step by step at tutor workshops, scheduled at various times during the month. Volunteers are given free information on basic reading development and English as a Second Language (ESL). Tutors and students meet once a week for 1-2 hours at the Altus or Hollis Public Libraries or an agreed public site. They make a one year commitment of time and there is no charge for the educational books, videos, or materials used.

The Great Plains Literacy Council offers English lessons to any adults interested in learning to speak, read, and write English or improve the knowledge that they already have. The service is completely FREE.

This literacy council is going to offer two citizenship awareness programs, conducted by US Citizenship and Immigration Community Relations Officer Jesus Ramirez in January at the Altus Public Library. He will cover information on green cards, immigration, and citizenship, and answer questions from the audience. On Wednesday, January 16 starting at 6 pm, he will conduct the session in English. On Thursday, January 17, Mr. Ramirez will present the same program in Spanish.

While Mr. Ramirez is in Altus on January 17, he will also be assisting the Great Plains Literacy Council with citizenship ceremonies to honor adult learners who have obtained their US citizenship in the past year at 11 am and 5 pm at the Altus Public Library. All of these programs are open to the public.

Contact the Hollis Library at 580- 688-2744 or the Altus Library at 580-477-2890 to find out the process to be a tutor or to register as a student. The Great Plains Literacy Council office is located at the Altus Public Library, 421 N. Hudson, in Altus.

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