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I wanted to volunteer for Read Saint John, a local program that promotes literacy. Turns out there was a tutor worshop this weekend, getting volunteers prepared to help people learn better literacy skills. The problem was the $20 tuition, something I just couldn't afford. I told them so, apologized, but asked them to let me know when the next workshop was because I might be able to get the money together by then.
They sent me an email ten minutes ago telling me not to bother with the tuition fee, and that they'd waive it for me since I seemed so interested in volunteering. (Makes me wonder how many people say they're interested but don't do a thing in the end...) Sadly, they caught me too late, since the workshop starts at 6 this evening and I've still got things I need to do today. :/
Go figure.
But I'll still try to prepare things for whenever their next workshop is. And from what I remember, they only require you to do an hour of tutoring a week, which can probably still fit into my schedule even when I find work again. I'm all for helping people improve their reading comprehension skills, especially when considering the fact that this province's literacy rate is seriously sub-par. I think statistically, around 50% or so of working-age people here have been determined to have less literacy than is typically needed to get by in an information-based society, and even more disturbingly, 20% of those people go into fields like finance and health care. I know everyone's skillsets are different and that I should respect that, but I really don't feel comfortable with the thought of having a doctor or nurse who can barely read, thank you very much.
So yes, maybe next time.
Almost got my 3 miles of walking in today. Came up about 1/4 of a mile short, so I might try to find some excuse to walk to the corner store tonight for a carton of milk or something. Overpriced, but we do need some and I ought to try to actually meet my goals.
Should be able to get my 3 miles in tomorrow, though, since the biggest thing that stood in my way today was the lousy weather. It's supposed to be a bit less rainy tomorrow, and better weather for a walk.
They sent me an email ten minutes ago telling me not to bother with the tuition fee, and that they'd waive it for me since I seemed so interested in volunteering. (Makes me wonder how many people say they're interested but don't do a thing in the end...) Sadly, they caught me too late, since the workshop starts at 6 this evening and I've still got things I need to do today. :/
Go figure.
But I'll still try to prepare things for whenever their next workshop is. And from what I remember, they only require you to do an hour of tutoring a week, which can probably still fit into my schedule even when I find work again. I'm all for helping people improve their reading comprehension skills, especially when considering the fact that this province's literacy rate is seriously sub-par. I think statistically, around 50% or so of working-age people here have been determined to have less literacy than is typically needed to get by in an information-based society, and even more disturbingly, 20% of those people go into fields like finance and health care. I know everyone's skillsets are different and that I should respect that, but I really don't feel comfortable with the thought of having a doctor or nurse who can barely read, thank you very much.
So yes, maybe next time.
Almost got my 3 miles of walking in today. Came up about 1/4 of a mile short, so I might try to find some excuse to walk to the corner store tonight for a carton of milk or something. Overpriced, but we do need some and I ought to try to actually meet my goals.
Should be able to get my 3 miles in tomorrow, though, since the biggest thing that stood in my way today was the lousy weather. It's supposed to be a bit less rainy tomorrow, and better weather for a walk.