"Ariel asked everyone who attended her birthday party
to bring a children's book for the Memphis Literacy Council instead of bringing her a gift. We are so glad we decided to donate to the Memphis Literacy Council because everyone in our family can get involved helping another family in a way that will last."

- Molly and her daughter Ariel

"I always wanted to finish school. I always wanted to get an education. Now I can sit down and help my grandchildren do some homework. I'm learning to go to the dictionary and find some of my words. I can pick up a newspaper and read it better. And I can read my Bible lots better."

- Inez

"Before I could read, I depended on other people to make decisions. Now I make those decisions on my own."

- Teresa

"What I get out of tutoring is watching Teresa grow and watching her gain confidence."

- Grace

"I decided to get help at MLC because I wanted to change my life - I wanted a better life. I was watching TV one day, and I saw something about the literacy program. And being able to read has
changed my life."

 - Terry

"I love MLC because I've learned so much here. MLC is the best place to get help - that's what I tell people."

-Tonia

"I would encourage anyone who has the time to dedicate that they give that time to MLC."

- Perry

Before she started tutoring, Jennifer said,"It just never occured to me that there were people who could not read. Since becoming a tutor, I've learned to value basic, simple things such as the ability to help someone else learn how to read."

-Jennifer

Shane was impressed by the dedication of the students he works with in the Computer Lab. "It's impressive because they're helping themselves. I don't think it's me that they are coming to see every week."

- Shane

"No sooner than when I get here, I feel good. I go into a classroom, and I feel good. I've got some really good teachers here."

-James

"I get excited, and so do my grandkids, when we get new books to take home. Reading together is one of our favorite things to do now."

 - Dorothy

Ann Mary teaches a reading and literature class once a week at MLC. "My volunteering at Memphis Literacy Council began with a desire to be involved in my community and to help others. It has become a source of great blessings and joy for me."

- Anne Mary

"I just love reading and I thought that if I could pass that one thing to one other person, what a great gift!"

-Lou

"Lou really has a lot of patience, and that has helped me. He makes me feel comfortable trying."

-Annie Mae

"It's all about sparking a student's interest in something. It's so interesting to see what flips that switch (of interest) for different people."

- Susan

"We really try to make the new students feel comfortable. We introduce ourselves, put our names on the chalkboard and talk to the class about what they want to accomplish."

 - Ann

"There are a large number of older adults in Memphis who need help with their reading, writing and math to do the simple things in life that we all take for granted."

-Joe

"The people at Memphis Literacy Council took time to help me and direct me. They made me feel welcome."

-Melva

"One of my great satisfactions in tutoring is seeing a student who becomes able to read, and how that changes their self image".

-Andy

"In our parent training sessions, we teach parents about various ways to incorporate reading into their everyday activities with their children because a parent is his or her child's first and most influential teacher."

-Kim

"As a volunteer trainer, we try to impart the types of things new tutors need to know and then share some of our own experience while tutoring."

- Jim