If cell phone's are on, then why is their use highly limited?

Most of us are rather mobile, 

especially during this pandemic.

We get on our phones and connect. We use our phones to communicate - send messages, share events, Zoom with family and friends, be entertained, get reports, search for answers, waste time, watch videos, and even earn money.

What I've learned

Hi, this is Deb. Teaching at Literacy Action Center can be eye-opening at times. Putting everyone into this pandemic situation has definitely intensified some aspects of life - for all of us. 

Over the years, I've seen many adults with limited reading skills (and living in poverty situations) have cell phones. Even though these cell phones may be what learners call government or Obama phones, these phones tend to be newer and full of features. 

What I've come to realize over the past few months however is that these adults have these powerful tools with them 24/7 but don't necessarily use them to do any of the tasks and opportunities listed in the opening paragraph above. 

Here's my point

What if your literacy skills were an issue? 

You struggle to type the simplest text message or email. 

Not because your typing speed is slow but you don't know how to spell. You lose the words you want to say as you start spelling the first word. And yeah, the words pop up as you type but you haven't a clue as to what they say. 

Someone set up your Facebook account. You get lots of posts. You've learned how to like and share them, but you don't understand how these messages get made or posted....

That's just the beginning of the massive amount of print bombarding you daily (during these trying times) that makes no sense.

That's the plight of over 

70,000 adults living in the 

greater Salt Lake County (Utah) area. 

That's why I say:

Cell phones are on, but their use is highly limited.

What can you do to change this situation?

These adults are envious of you. 

They want to do what you do. Cell phone usage is just one of many literacy (and technology) skills these adults want to learn. 

For example, West wants to pass the driver license test so he can look for jobs outside of the bus system. He also wants the sense of freedom that having legal access to a car gives us. Jeff wants to read letters from his great aunt so he may learn more about his family's history. Other adults are tired of asking others for help while they hide what they don't know or understand.

One person at a time, we are helping adults in our
community gain these much needed literacy skills. 
You, too, can help these adults become skillful. 

We'd be grateful for your support 

as a tutor or a donor (or both). 

Other possibilities? Just ask. 

Call or text 801/839-9522.

Donate at our website on the Donate button.