Byesville Rotary learns about adult literacy and job skills development support

Pictured: Dan Coffman, Speaker Host; Charney Fitz¸ ABEL; Phyliss Jeffries, Byesville Rotary President.

Reading: August Rotarian--"Water and Wellness," p. 30.

Charney Fitz from Adult Basic and Literacy Education (ABEL) stated that this program is “the best kept secret in Ohio.” The ABEL program provides a wide variety of services aimed at helping adults improve basic skill in reading, writing, math, science, social studies, and computers.

ABEL helps adults improve skills needed in today’s workforce and supports people making the transition into classes offered by higher education. Services aimed at adults interested in improving skills include: preparing people for the GED exam or professional certification exams such as nursing or college entrance tests; assisting people study for citizenship; and helping people brush up on basics such math, social studies, or computer skills so that they will be better prepared to take classes at local colleges.

Ms. Fitz pointed out that literacy is ABEL’s main focus because reading and writing fluently, understanding written instructions, and being accurate are skills needed by everyone who wants to be successful in today’s workforce. ABEL tutors individualize how they teach to match each client’s individual learning style and needs.

For more information about ABEL services and opportunities for learning, call Mid-East Career and Technology Centers at 740-454-7242 or 1-800-350-1242. ABEL classrooms in Guernsey County are conveniently located at the Mid-East Career and Technology Centers—Buffalo Campus, Cambridge Salvation Army, and the Willett-Pratt Training Center.

In other business, volunteers are still needed to work the 2ed shift at the chicken BBQ on Saturday which will be held at the gazebo at the corner of 2ed and Main in Byesville. Rotary members will begin selling seats on the Red-Eye Bus Tour to New York City which will be November 6-7. Tickets are $95. Anyone interested in the trip can call Tanya Hitchens at 581-2009. The Byesville club has been awarded a District Simplified Grant to support their Christmas Food Basket Program.

The club’s next meeting will be 7:30 am, August 25, at the Stop Nine Senior Center at 60313 (GPS use 60299) Southgate Road, Byesville. Anyone interested in learning more about the Byesville Rotary can call Membership Chairs Marty Patchen, 740-685-3828, or Larry Miller, 740-439-2767.