Literacy project

The Journal continues to offer a growing list of reading programs across NM on page

As part of the Journal’s ongoing Literacy Project, we are adding to our growing list of literacy programs available throughout New Mexico. These will be joined with the ones already highlighted in the Journal and which can be found at ABQJournal. com/literacy. Anyone who knows of programs that we have not mentioned is welcome to call them to our attention. Email Rick Nathanson at rnathanson@abqjournal.com, or Mike Murphy at mmurphy@ abqjournal.com.

NM LIONS CRANE READING PROGRAM

Operating out of the Las Cruces Lions Community Center, this is a tutor-led, computer-based program that works with children not reading at grade level and adults who desire to read more proficiently. The program is free, and donations are welcome.

For information, contact George Mulholland at 575-312-1316 or georgemulholland@comcast.net; or reading specialist Cathy Waters at 575-640-5020 or catrog1@ comcast.net.

OPERATION KIDSIGHT INC.

This program of the New Mexico Lions Clubs provides vision screenings for kids 3 to 9 in public and private elementary schools, Head Start schools and child care centers across the state.

Operation KidSight works with school nurses, teachers and parents of referred children to get children a comprehensive eye exam. It estimates that 35% to 40% of referred children had never before received an eye exam.

For information, contact Brenda Dunn, program manager, at 575-525-5631, or go to NMLionsKidSight.com.

READWEST INC.

This program is to enhance the reading skill of adults in general, though two of the main groups it serves are people with very low literacy skills and people who are learning English as a second language, Executive Director Muncie Hansen said.

ReadWest also serves people who dropped out of high school and would like to get their equivalency certification.

The organization uses trained volunteers who do one-on-one tutoring out of ReadWest’s main Rio Rancho office, 103 Rio Rancho Blvd. It also conducts some group ESL classes at Puesta del Sol and Rio Rancho elementary schools.

For information, call 505-892-1131 or go to readwest.org.