The South Baldwin Literacy Council is encouraging adults to read to a child or an adult who cannot read for International Literacy Day, Sept. 8, and also to recognize that illiteracy, a sensitive subject, is nonetheless something that is being aided by their Foley-based organization everyday. 

Lynda Folks, executive director of the South Baldwin Literacy Council, said in a recent interview that her organization has been highly successful in teaching English to a diverse range of the county’s residents. 

“Today, we are now serving about 80 people a year and it has been expanding,” Folks said, noting that the council operates on individual and United Way contributions, and a nickel video tax, which is applied to county DVD and VHS rentals. 

The nickel video tax, legislation that was sponsored by State Representative Steve McMillan, provides about a third of the council’s revenue, she said, and also provides revenue for three other organizations: Eastern Shore Literacy Council, North Baldwin Literacy Council and the Baldwin County Library Cooperative.

These funding steams allow her organization to provide a range of free tutoring and reading improvement services including one-on-one tutoring for Pre-GED and GED students, basic reading and writing, English as a Second Language and a computer lab that targets basic reading and English skills for those learning English as a Second Language, she said. 

Also, Mary Jo Carlysle, an employee with the South Baldwin Literacy Council, tutors basic reading and writing at the Association of Retarded Citizens in Foley. 

“It’s just amazing.  There are people that are always ready to learn, and it has improved their lives,” Folks said.  “It’s been a remarkable program.”

And “it takes a lot of courage, just for someone to come in” for tutoring, she noted.  “And I tell them from now on it’s going to be easy.”

The organization began in 1985 at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Bon Secour.  The pastor, Stan Parsons and his wife Elaine, along with parishioners, John and Sally Carpenter, decided that illiteracy is a big deal and something that must be dealt with locally. 

“Those four people really had the internal gumption to get it going,” Folks said, adding that at the time Bon Secour had a community of Vietnamese and Hispanics, and some fishermen who needed tutoring in reading and writing. 

Classes were held at the church originally, but the organization soon expanded by applying for non-profit status and becoming a United Way agency the following year. 

And today, Folks and the council continues their efforts, and International Literacy Day serves as a reminder for those to help others who struggle with reading. 

“I would like every adult to sit down and read to a child, or maybe to go to a nursing home and assist someone who can’t read,” Folks said.  “If you have a friend that can’t read, help them.”

The South Baldwin Literacy Council accepts donations at PO Box 1973, Foley, AL 36536.  It is located at 21441 Highway 98 East, about a half-mile west of the Foley Beach Express.  Hours of operation are Monday through Thursday 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Lynda Folks can be contacted at 251-943-7323.