Everyone has a story: Redlands Adult Literacy Program anthology shares unique experiences
| Contributing Columnist
There is no doubt that each and every one of us holds stories worth telling, of life's sorrows and triumphs, struggles and tributes. One of the places where that was especially true was when the Redlands Adult Literacy Program presented its volume 7, "Our Stories: A Collection of Writings."
Close to 150 people came to hear the diverse stories presented on stage on a Sunday afternoon this fall. The anthology had 45 authors contribute, 25 of them were brave and read their stories aloud.
The anthology pulled at my heartstrings. Not only because of the sometimes very personal stories of overcoming struggles or the feelings of inadequacy living in a country with language barriers. But also because I too remember being an immigrant coming from a foreign country (Denmark) to the US and taking time to find my footing.
The adult literacy program serves 101 adults who need support in learning to read, write and speak better English with the help of volunteer tutors. Some of the learners are immigrants, some never got an education because their parents didn't see a need for it, and some want to strengthen their language skills to advance their careers.
Most new learners work with their volunteer tutor for 2.5 years, some stay even longer.
The cover of the book is a photo of one of the stained glass windows at A.K. Smiley Public Library. The original design was made by Redlands artist Tom Medlicott.
"This window is a composite of five thousand tiny glass pieces collected from the USA and other countries around the world," Claudia Guillaume, one of the tutors and anthology editorial committee members, described in the foreword. "An anthology, like a stained glass window, is a composite too. [...] Each one of the stories adds a unique perspective that enriches the beauty of this collective work."
I read the anthology before the event. There are stories about husbands and sisters, home countries, a trip to Seattle, memories of donkeys and someone jumping out the window the first day of school, there is a scrumptious Thanksgiving turkey recipe, the meaning of rodeos and how one of the authors, growing up in Cambodia, enrolled herself into school at age 7. There are poems and fiction.
Reading their stories reminded me of how much we humans are alike and how fascinating it is to learn about different cultural backgrounds.
Raul Becerra was the first author to read his piece.
"With the ability to read I am more confident at work," he read, "I read books to my young granddaughters." While joining the program for the past 1.5 years, he has read over 20 books and hopes to go to college in the future. "And one day I will be back to be a tutor," he said and laughed.
One of the authors, Katerina B., wrote: "What I treasure the most is that participating in this program allows me to express my thoughts more precisely and completely and helps me feel less plain, primitive, or simplified." She described how her personality changed in the US because she couldn't speak the language well.
I remember that kind of frustration and smile at the thought that I also use the written word to find my voice, just like Katerina.
Sharhonda McLaurin got on stage and read her poem "I Told the Storm." Her voice boomed across the room, the sentences gave me chills. "If it were not for hope, I would have given up a long time ago," she read. "My storm would have swallowed me whole and spit out my bones and left me for dead."
Listening to the authors reading their own words gave a glimpse into the personalities of each story, some details stood out like gems in their writings that I had overlooked while reading the book.
The program has a long history at A.K. Smiley library, though with gaps of funding and periods of inactivity.
In 2010, Katherine Gifford and Trudy Waldron of the Friends of the Library revitalized the program. The program stands strong today thanks to coordinator Diane Shimota and two part-time employees; Renee Kennedy (who designed the cover) and Ann Sandin.
"What makes Smiley library special and always makes you feel at home, it's the people who work and volunteer there! They are magic! They are kind!" read Alexandra Suarez.
Since the first anthology in 2018, the tutors have incorporated writing into their reading and comprehension lessons. Reading aloud at this event ties in with the participants' work on pronunciation.
"And isn't it important for everyone to be able to share their story?" Gifford, a tutor, said.
"You can imagine when there is a language barrier or a confidence barrier because of problems with literacy, how much more liberating and freeing it is to tell your story."
You can get the latest anthology from the Redlands Adult Literacy program at the Redlands library, 125 W Vine St.
