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Community Corner

Help someone learn to read and write

Did you know more than 32 million adults in the U.S. are functionally illiterate - - unable to write a note to a child's teacher, complete a job application or read the label on prescription drug medication? Nationally, 14.5 percent of all adults are functionally illiterate; 17-percent of adults in New Jersey are; and a staggering 28-percent of adults in Essex County are, according to federal data.

Literacy Volunteers of America, Essex & Passaic Counties, a non-profit organization dedicated to fighting illiteracy, wants to help. We have a long, long list of adults waiting for help in basic literacy and English as a Second Language. All we need is you.

Please consider giving up two hours of your time each week to help an adult learn to read, write and speak English. Or by spreading the word, if you already tutor. Share your gift of literacy.

Find out what's happening in Bloomfieldwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Register for our Tutor-Training Workshop at the Bloomfield Public Library, 90 Broad Street, Bloomfield, NJ 07003. Training sessions will take place in the Library Theater, Tuesdays and Fridays from 10:15 am-1:15 pm, on March 11, 14, 18, 21, 25, 2014. Attendance at all sessions is required. It costs only your time. For more information, please e-mail Russell at lvaessex@verizon.net or call 973-566-6200 ext. 217. We can't do it without you. Please join our campaign to battle illiteracy.

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