Literacy offices will be shut down
State funding cuts, dip in donations take toll on agency
By Diette Courrégé
John Wright dropped out of C.A. Brown High School in 10th grade and abandoned his education for the next 30 years.
When the 53-year-old decided three months ago that he wanted to finish what he started in high school, he found the downtown branch of the Trident Literacy Association waiting for him.
The Post and Courier
John Wright helps fellow client Mary Taylor with navigating an online math game Tuesday at the Trident Literacy Association.
He spends three hours a day, four days a week working on his reading and math. He had never used a computer, but staff members at the association showed him how to surf the Web.
"It's changing my life as we speak," Wright said.
Wright will be among the last to benefit from the help offered by this downtown branch of the association. Deep cuts in state funding, as well as a sharp dropoff in local donations, mean that at the end of the month, the Trident Literacy Association will close two of its seven branches, the one downtown, which serves about 600 students, as well as the one in the United Way building in Summerville, which serves about 50 students annually.
The downtown branch accounts for one-fourth of the adults helped by the association each year, many of whom test below the eighth-grade level in reading or math.
The association also plans to lay off nine employees. Remaining employees will have reduced hours or pay, and two other branches will have abbreviated hours of operation. The association would need more than $200,000 to continue operating next year at the same level as this year.
The Post and Courier
Beth Warner, manager of Trident Literacy Association's downtown Charleston branch office, is overcome with emotion after being thanked by a client. The branch is set to close at the end of the month.
"It's a tragedy," said Eileen Chepenik, the group's executive director. "We're abandoning the students who need us the most. The whole community suffers."
Chepenik hopes most of its Summerville students will go to its other site in Summerville at the Goodwill building to continue their education.
The peninsula no longer will have a branch, and Chepenik fears that some of its students will not go elsewhere for the classes.
Illiteracy is a severe problem in the Lowcountry. One in seven adults in Berkeley, Charleston and Dorchester counties is functionally illiterate, defined as reading below an eighth-grade level, and up to 20,000 tri-county adults have less than a ninth-grade education, according to the association.
The Post and Courier has shown through a series of recent stories that the problem extends to students in school, and more than 20 percent of Charleston County's rising ninth-graders read at a fourth-grade level or worse.
Within a one-mile radius of the association's downtown branch, more than 3,200 of the 5,000 adults older than 25 do not have a high school diploma or GED, and 1,200 of them have less than a ninth-grade education. Unemployment and poverty is high, and since the branch opened four years ago, volunteers and employees have worked to build relationships and trust with those who live nearby, Chepenik said.
The downtown site offers free baby-sitting, computer classes and one-on-one tutoring to help adults learn to read; and it is easily accessible to those without transportation.
Wright is among those who takes the bus to get to the downtown site. His goal is to further his education enough so that he can own a construction business, and now he knows how to achieve that goal.
"This is like a first step," he said. "This is a new beginning that I missed out on. I just hope we can stay open."
Reach Diette Courrégé at 937-5546 or dcourrege@postandcourier.com.
E-mail this story
Printer-friendly version
Comments
watchdog (anonymous) says...
Thanks to our failed leadership in South Carolina. We are worthless to the USA and the World. We have no one to blame but ourselves, you vote the vermin in. This sucks, you people need to get off your asses and change this state. We are living in the past, and being left behind. THANKS SANFORD AND THE GOD LOVING RIGHT WING IDIOTS......
June 10, 2009 at 7:14 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
justlaughin (anonymous) says...
Agree completely, dog. The entire legislative session was wasted with arguments with Sanford about the stimulus, the upstate holding back the dice bill, and other bills that were far from urgent compared to the economic issues. Thanks to the legislature this session, we have a new state water bird or insect or something and a law that a doctor is supposed to try to save an aborted fetus in the statistically improbable event that the fetus survived the abortion (no evidence of this ever happening in our state as abortions past the first trimester are not legal). Meanwhile, funding is being lost, social agencies are closing all over the place and people are out of jobs. Thanks Sanford for holding up all constructive conversations about anything but your accepting the money until the legislative session was over. You were successful in getting everyone's full attention for months. Aren't you proud that you alone are the reason nothing was done to help the people of YOUR state all year in the greatest economic crisis since the Great Depression? You should resign and get out of the state for your lack of leadership. I am embarassed that I ever voted for you.
June 10, 2009 at 8:01 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
GeneralSumter (anonymous) says...
Playing the blame game is real actionable.
Have you donated to the Trident United Way? Have you offered to teach people to read? Have you made it a point to get involved, yourself?
As a "right wing idiot", I'll agree that our legislature did not have their priorities straight. But the power is in the hands of the people. Give to the united way either your time or money or both. Quit passing the buck.
And as for my "right wing" comment... this state will always be "right". If you don't like it, go back up north.
June 10, 2009 at 8:17 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
captivated (anonymous) says...
After 25 years as a farmer, my father went into a program like this, got his GED and a good job in maintenance and was able to build a new home for his family. He did this at 52 years old in the 70's. These types of programs are a godsend to people who want to better themselves and it is a shame that we will be losing them to this recession.
June 10, 2009 at 8:22 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
SCGirl0901 (anonymous) says...
At least we have Spoleto!
June 10, 2009 at 8:33 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
theronce (anonymous) says...
watch and just, this need to blame the dem-lites is pointless and just plain inaccurate. Notice that the man in the story had his first opportunity in the late 70's and that captivated has an experience that pushed the problem back to the 40's. I can also add based on my years here in this state that these first-time failures were and have been a way of life here in SC extending back into the days when the full flavor dems ran this state with an iron hand. It's just that the dem-lites have done nothing to change things since they have had the reins of state. Shame on both of them, but we only have ourselves to blame. We will continue to get what we accept.
June 10, 2009 at 8:36 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
wjhamilton3 (anonymous) says...
I donate to the United Way and support the library. Last weekend we donated $10 of dental supplies to ECCO. It's endless and clealy the amount of need is beginning to overwealm local charities. Hard needs operations like Crisis Ministries and ECCO are doing OK. There is food and clothing available at the shelters, but educational and cultural non profits are really suffering.
The Governor says we should "pray" but the gradual erosion of the state's employment base under his leadership is undermining our entire economy and unless we act now, we'll miss out on what will probably be a fairly flat, slow recovery.
Thankfully, the stimulus package has kept us from total failure, however a real recovery after the country has been de industrialized isn't going to be easy, particularly if we have workers who can't read.
June 10, 2009 at 8:37 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
nopartisan_noproblem (anonymous) says...
And I'm guessing it's the school district lack of money that has caused this illiteracy crisis, right?
June 10, 2009 at 8:48 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ms_lady2u (anonymous) says...
Fellas,Fellas, Haven't you guys gotten over it yet? *head nodding*
June 10, 2009 at 9:32 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
gamecockgirl2008 (anonymous) says...
It is always easier to bicker and point fingers that it is to go out and make a real difference. Instead of this being a "right wing" or a "left wing" problem-it is OUR problem-regardless of which wing you personally flap.
June 10, 2009 at 9:48 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
lloyd007 (anonymous) says...
WHAT A CRYING DAMN SHAME..!!!!
June 10, 2009 at 9:53 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
mkris (anonymous) says...
Just what South Carolina needs: more illiterate fools.
June 10, 2009 at 10:54 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
MountP (anonymous) says...
Forget improving the Gaillard Auditorium... Mayor Riley, you have 3,200 adults with no GED or diploma within a one-mile radius of your almighty Upper King hotel project.. Too bad none of them will be able to fill out a job application or apply online once it is finally built.
Maybe you can just bus in some illegals from Johns Island to fill the jobs. What say you?????
June 10, 2009 at 11:01 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
palmettotree (anonymous) says...
I think that they should keep the one downtown open. I mean with 600 students it appears apparent that it is really needed down there. I give to the United Way so it is nice to know that my money is going towards something good.
I don't blame this on anyone. It is just a sign of the times.
June 10, 2009 at 12:09 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
hipchick (anonymous) says...
Perhaps the TLA could partner with the county libraries & provide services at public library facilities which provide free computer internet access...just a suggestion
June 10, 2009 at 12:50 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Lovely_One (anonymous) says...
It is sad that people need this service and even sadder that they are having to close some of the offices. But the worst thing is that the sad people on this board would rather sit and place blame than get off their arses and do something to change the situation.....Sad, indeed.
June 10, 2009 at 1:10 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
JustJennings (anonymous) says...
Nothing is going to change in this city or state until there is some real accountability. Charleston is at least as corrupt as New Orleans. Where there is not corruption in government, there is such incompetence that it is as bad as corruption. Programs designed to help the less fortunate usually line the pockets of the wealthy. The people profitting want to keep an underclass so they can make money off their misery!
June 10, 2009 at 1:18 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
iceman1978 (anonymous) says...
What's even more frightening is to think that for every person who is illiterate there could be two (or three) more who are functionally illiterate. A population who's poor and uneducated is a very dangerous combination, which, has history has shown us, has never lead to a better society.
"They are Man's, and they cling to me, appealing from their fathers. This boy is Ignorance. This girl is Want. Beware them both, and all of their degree, but most of all beware this boy, for on his brow I see that written which is Doom, unless the writing be erased." -Charles Dickens (A Christmas Carol)
June 10, 2009 at 1:29 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
craigdelk (anonymous) says...
So this guy quit on a free education when he was 15 or so and now expects for me to once again offer him a free education when he is 53. No thanks. I'd like to put my money to use somewhere else or keep my money thank you.
June 10, 2009 at 1:36 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
suec (anonymous) says...
They are closing 2 of the 7 branches in the Charleston area. Do the math! That means 5 are still open.
June 10, 2009 at 2:08 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
SCHoser (anonymous) says...
I have to agree with Harold on the point that it is sad that we even need these type services. I could understand a few here and there or those who don't have the capacity to learn to read or write, but 1 in 7 adults, and 20% of kids in school have reading deficiency? That is outrageous!!! Sadly, no amount of money can force people to want an education.
Suec-some people can't read, some can't do math....go figure!
June 10, 2009 at 2:17 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Numba10 (anonymous) says...
None of you ever ask the hard questions including the P&C----How much per student does this cost?---How much are the adminstrators paid?----Why is this not held in public schools after hours to reduce costs?----What are parents currently doing to teach thier children to read?---The schools cannot do it all!!!!!!!!!!!
June 10, 2009 at 3:15 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
whatelseisthere (anonymous) says...
I agree w/ the guy who said we paid for it once, why again? Kids are in school (supposedly) until at least 9th or 10th grade....so being able to read SHOULD be a given by then. All those pple trying now to learn to read should go to the schools and show those kids where they may end up if they fail to learn how to read. Maybe that will do it, doubtful though.
June 10, 2009 at 3:41 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
SCHoser (anonymous) says...
Numba10 where you been? That's the damn problem-parents drop their kid off at school like it's a daycare. They put on the act in front of others or cameras, but when it comes down to it school is a baby sitter for many. Kids pick up on this stuff-if the parent doesn't care, why should the kid? The cost of educating them for 12 years is nothing compared to taking care of them for life! How do you make parents care? Answer that, and you have a billion dollar idea!
June 10, 2009 at 4:12 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
jammer (anonymous) says...
this is absolutely ridiculous, why are they taking from the people that need it the most???
you won't "change" this area for the better unless you make the people that live in it smarter and more productive
way to make sure we stay on the bottom!!
this countries done, turn it over and stick a fork in it...
June 10, 2009 at 4:21 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
realamerican (anonymous) says...
Jammer, this is nothing new in South Carolina. The sick, poor and helpless are always the ones the "fiscal conservatives" target to show how fiscally conservative they are. They are also the first ones to say they don't understand why crime is going up as they consign others to poverty to save themselves.
Why anyone that makes under 250K considers themselves a republican is a mystery to me. Even when the republican party was in power they lied and raised taxes and deficits to astronomical levels. They just decided to leave the numbers that looked bad out of the reports. All this under Bush.
Even as South Carolina implodes and the weasel politicians try to hide their guilt in selling us all out to their corporate masters the more brain dead right wing posters in the comment section sing their praises.
I don't suppose the politicians have considered taking a pay cut or furlough like they have imposed on others? Oh no, they know exactly what they are doing as they write off for what many of their neighbors is their last chance.
No wonder South Carolina is last in the nation in all things good and first in all things bad. It is well deserved.
June 10, 2009 at 4:57 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Numba10 (anonymous) says...
realamerican-------well here is a response--- the dems and libs decided they knew better how to raise everyones children and took away parents right to discipline as they see fit---now when a parent gives a child a swat to correct it in public you and your like(that love to bash conservatives) are on the phone to 911----accept some responsibility for what you have a part in creating
June 10, 2009 at 6:07 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
educ8edguy (anonymous) says...
It amazes me that so many want to blame Bush and the Republicans for the plight of the poor, as if they were a new phenomenon. Which party decided to declare "War on Poverty" (the ultimate misnomer; maybe the Dems should have been more intellectually honest and called it the "War on Poor Families")? The result of that poorly planned war is a perpetual underclass that has become utterly dependent on the federal government for everything from food to subsidized housing. Free from the need to provide for itself and rewarded for poor family planning decisions with yet more government aid, this underclass lacks the necessary incentive to move beyond generational poverty; instead, it continually drains our economy through legion "entitlement" programs while giving virtually nothing back.
The left-wing numbskulls who conceived and have perpetuated this "War" have only one objective: keeping this underclass completely beholden to them for the necessities of life, thereby ensuring a consistent base of support. Never mind that this class tends to be among the most poorly-informed of voters; in fact, that's really a bonus to the lefties, who couldn't win in the marketplace of public opinion without an unlevel playing field. God forbid that those of us who are fiscally conservative should attempt to advance the argument that these people would benefit tremendously from working and becoming self-sufficient, and should attempt to enact legislation and policies that would require them to make the effort to become so. Forgive us; most of us are simply unenlightened regarding the benefits of being forever conscribed to dependence on federal largesse.
June 10, 2009 at 6:27 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Squidward (anonymous) says...
craigdelk, good post. There are other resources out there for these folks. The theory was supposed to be that when you are older you should be able to afford adult education after taking advantage of the 12 years of FREE education provided to you, that you must attend under the law.
June 10, 2009 at 6:50 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
BlackReign (anonymous) says...
Posted by Numba10 on June 10, 2009 at 6:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)
realamerican-------well here is a response--- the dems and libs decided they knew better how to raise everyones children and took away parents right to discipline as they see fit---now when a parent gives a child a swat to correct it in public you and your like(that love to bash conservatives) are on the phone to 911----accept some responsibility for what you have a part in creating"
--------------------
Right on the money!
--------------------
educ8edguy - great post and again on the money, which now is nothing more than worthless, the money that is.
June 10, 2009 at 8:15 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
TheTruthFighter (anonymous) says...
When I read stupid comments like, "Go back to the North", it brings back the feeling of racism in this State. Sometime I have to ask my, do some folks realize that slavery was abolished? Ooops I forgot, slavery still exist in South Carolina. They just package it better than the 1900's. In instead of tearing down the man, provide some humility and compassion. Do you know this man's story? He may have drop out of school to take care of his family members! His father may have died and he took over the role of the man of the house. I congratulate this man! You're never too old to learn. That is the mistake with some folk today; they think once you graduate from high or college the learning stops. I just that why the same folk still work that just over broke position; you call it a job. Jim Rohn said, if you work a job, you may make a descend living, but if you work on yourself even harder, you will be wealthy! So chew on that!
June 10, 2009 at 9:26 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Postandcourier.com is pleased to offer readers the enhanced ability to comment on stories. We expect our readers to engage in lively, yet civil discourse. Postandcourier.com does not edit user submitted statements and we cannot promise that readers will not occasionally find offensive or inaccurate comments posted in the comments area. Responsibility for the statements posted lies with the person submitting the comment, not postandcourier.com. If you find a comment that is objectionable, please click "report abuse" and we will review it for possible removal. Please be reminded, however, that in accordance with our Terms of Use and federal law, we are under no obligation to remove any third party comments posted on our website. Read our full Terms and Conditions.
Users can now build user-to-user connections, follow friends' recent posts, add an avatar that fits their personality, and more. If you have posted here before you'll need to sign up again, or if you've never posted before, start now by signing up!
- Most Commented
- Most Emailed
- Shared
- Upper King on rise: Hotels, apartments, restaurants changing face of downtown area
- Missing woman case gets murkier
- Missing woman's fiance found dead in his home
- Isle of Palms wants to patch beach
- Body of missing woman's fiance was found near handgun
- Advocating for cyclists
- DAVID SLADE: S.C. offers hybrid car tax credit
- Facebook posts may cost you a job
- Pinterest: Pinning hopes and dreams
- Boeing powering up first local jet
