Katherine Freimund is on a mission. As executive director of Whatcom Literacy Council she coordinates numerous activities that assist residents of Whatcom County to read and write more fluently. Individual tutoring? WLC does that. Small group classes? WLC can help with that too. They’ve even arranged short seminars at large farms in the area to help the management and workers communicate more effectively. All free of charge.
Photograph courtesy of The Whatcom Literacy Council
Here’s how it works: adult learners who contact WLC are assessed to ascertain their existing skill level and then matched to a tutor or a program. That’s it. It’s that easy. Tutoring is both customized and confidential.
“About 2/3 of our clients are ESL learners who would like to read and write English better in order to get certain certifications—like a forklift operator’s license for example— that will help them earn more, then support their families better. The remaining 1/3 are native English speakers who, for one reason or other, didn’t have the opportunity to learn to read but would like to,” Freimund says. “Literacy is a proven path to a better financial outcome.”
So those are the clients, but who are the tutors? They’re volunteers from the community. At any time, between 75 and 100 kind residents of Whatcom County work for WLC. Any adult can apply. After being screened and accepted, tutors receive an hour or so of basic training before receiving an assignment. WLC does all the hard work, arranging the meeting time and place—which is always public—as well as providing the tutor with high-quality, effective materials that match the learner’s needs. WLC works hard to match learners to tutors, but if for some reason the two are incompatible, either party can always request reassignment.
“Tutors have a job description, training, and someone to report to,” Freimund says. “Volunteering is a low-risk opportunity to act on your passion, whether that’s a passion for books and reading or a deep commitment to uplift humanity. And you get to meet people who are different from you and broaden your own worldview. We have quarterly coffee meetups that tutors can attend if you’d like to get to know or exchange tips with the other tutors. And we also have ongoing support via special training if the tutor is working with a client who has a specific challenge, like dyslexia.”
At the end of this speech, Freimund folds her hands on the table in front of her. She’s very practiced in advocating for her organization, but beneath the professional surface she’s whirling with energy and excitement just about reading itself, especially when speaking about WLC’s upcoming autumn fundraising breakfast with Nancy Pearl, an NPR host and Seattle-based librarian.
“Listening to Nancy talk about books is a magical experience,” Freimund says. “It makes you want to read everything she recommends.”
Apart from fundraisers like the breakfast, WLC is funded by grants from a number of corporations and foundations, both local and national.
“And we accept donations,” Freimund adds, returning to her professional demeanor. “They are tax-deductible and go directly to our free programs here in Whatcom County.”
To reach out as or on behalf of a learner or to volunteer as a tutor or small group learning assistant, head to their website for more information. 3028 Lindbergh Ave., Building A, Bellingham, 360.752.8678, whatcomliteracy.org
