PROVO -- During 1999, Utah's Promise, a multiyear initiative that mobilizes residents to make a positive impact on their communities, is helping local leaders by providing community training on literacy.

Community-based groups of volunteers may form literacy teams and receive training to help them fight illiteracy in their neighborhoods."The ability to read is a fundamental skill for success in life, and it doesn't stop with one individual. The gift of literacy continues for generations," Utah first lady Jacalyn Leavitt said.

At a recent statewide conference on literacy, Gov. Michael Leavitt urged community members to form committees to implement literacy plans in their towns. "A literate community is a strong community," he said. "That is why we've organized a statewide community discussion to promote literacy efforts."

For more information about community literacy teams and available training, contact the United Way Volunteer Center. You will be connected with a Utah's Promise volunteer representative in Utah County.

For those interested in volunteering with existing literacy programs, the United Way Volunteer Center has a wide variety of volunteer opportunities available in communities throughout Utah County, some of which are listed below.

Working in a library. The Orem Public Library and the Utah State Hospital both need volunteer help in their libraries. Volunteers read stories to children, act as librarian assistants and help with re-shelving books.

Reading to children. The American Fork Public Library and the Women Infants and Children program both need volunteers to read stories to children. Volunteers assist in weekly story time to create a love for books and reading.

Teaching basic reading skills. Project Read, the Family Literacy Program and Read to Succeed are programs looking for volunteers to provide tutoring and basic literacy skills, inform the public about adult illiteracy problems and offer possible solutions.

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Opportunities to volunteer as a reading tutor are available throughout Utah County. Read to Succeed generally serves individuals in Utah County from Provo southward, with a focus on English as a Second Language. Project Read and Family Literacy focus on helping individuals from Provo northward.

Project Read is designed specifically for adults and youth and is in need of volunteers who speak Spanish. The Family Literacy Program is directed at children and families and is based on the idea that literacy begins in the family. Tutors provide direct instruction to as many families as possible by involving parents in the tutoring of their children. Centers are in cities throughout Utah County.

Teaching English. Read to Succeed and English as a Second Language both need volunteers who can teach non-native English speakers. These programs allow volunteers to be teacher aides and work one-on-one with the students while teaching basic reading skills.

For more information about these and other volunteer opportunities in Utah County, contact the United Way Volunteer Center weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 374-8108, by e-mail at volunteer@unitedwayuc.org or by visiting the searchable database on the United Way of Utah County Web site www.unitedwayuc.org.

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