The Occidental College Community Literacy Center, a northeast Los Angeles resource since 1963, provides one-on-one reading and writing instruction for children in kindergarten through the sixth grade. Children meet with Occidental student tutors twice a week for a semester to cultivate an enthusiasm for learning through literacy.

The philosophy of the Literacy Center is development, with children progressing at their own pace in a flexible curriculum. Throughout tutoring sessions, children may take part in Book Club discussions, large and small group reading, and phonic and phonemic awareness activities. There also is an emphasis on reading comprehension activities, digital storytelling, and electronic bookmaking. At the end of the semester, participants receive a progress report and a portfolio of their accomplishments.

The Literacy Center is open from 3:30-5 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays during Occidental’s Fall 2003 and Spring 2004 semesters. To begin the application process, a $50 deposit should be submitted to the center. If space is available, you will be contacted to complete paperwork. If at the time of your application there is no longer space available, you will be notified and placed on a waiting list for the following session. Cost is $250 per semester. To start the application process, or for more information, call Angela Brown at (323) 259-2781.

The Literacy Center’s reputation and successes with students have been widely recognized by parents, local teachers and administrators. Program benefits include vocabulary improvement and the acquisition of coping strategies for challenging texts. Additionally, children develop creative writing tools and a better understanding of academic writing.