Imagine not being able to read a map, a job posting or a prescription drug label. How about your own child’s report card or a past-due notice from the phone company.

Nearly 10 percent of Flathead County residents are considered functionally illiterate. All of these tasks are beyond their reading level.

Illiteracy can be an isolating existence, says Christine Hensleigh, Literacy Volunteers of Flathead County director.

“A life that includes an education or even just basic reading can seem so far off for these people,” Hensleigh said.

That’s where LVFC enters the equation.

For nearly 25 years, the nonprofit group has helped people improve their reading, speaking, and basic life skills — and achieve their goal of a better life.

“To have someone come to you, help you, and remind you that you can do it — that can be transformational for a person,” said Hensleigh.

Last year, LVFC reached more than 300 learners and 200 families using their one-on-one tutoring format. Volunteers meet with their learners once or twice a week to go over reading, math and other life skills.

“Learners seek us out,” Hensleigh said. “Maybe they had a bad experience in school, or it’s intimidating for them to admit their illiteracy. The one-on-one format allows them a safe place to learn the skills they’ve hidden.”

Hensleigh notes that many of their learners are living in poverty.

“Forty percent of those below the poverty line struggle with some literacy issue,” she said. “Most of our learners are at-risk and poor. They can’t even afford to go to a thrift store and buy a book.”

She shared a story of a homeless man they met while distributing books at the North Valley Food Bank.

“We worked with him to bring up his math skills and life skills — like having a resume,” Hensleigh said. “He’s now in FVCC working on his degree. Sometimes a person needs support and someone to encourage them.”

Hensleigh says their food bank book distribution program has been effective at getting children’s books into a home.

“There’s a difference between checking a book out from the library and having a book that is yours to keep,” she said. “It becomes incorporated into the family.”

“An adult’s reading level is directly associated to a child’s performance in school.”

In Whitefish, most of LVFC’s work is with English as a second language students who are often refugees seeking asylum in the U.S.

“They’re part of our community,” Hensleigh said. “They want to learn English so they can communicate and interact. It can be incredibly isolating to come here and not know the language. If you can’t communicate with other people, you’re on your own.”

Linda Taylor has volunteered as an English as a second language tutor for the past year. With a foundation as a teacher, she said tutoring was a natural fit for her skill set.

“I thought it would be fun, and it’s turned out to be a wonderful experience,” Taylor said.

One of her learners is aiming to attend nursing school next year.

“I mostly help her with reading and writing,” Taylor said. “It’s quite fulfilling.”

Taylor’s other learner is working to improve her English so she will have more career opportunities when she returns to her home country of Colombia.

“I try to cater to their goals,” Taylor said. “Whether it’s to study as a nurse, or to go back home.”

Helen Cates began tutoring her English as a second language learner two years ago. Twice a week they met to work on vocabulary and annunciation as her learner worked toward gaining U.S. citizenship.

Cates says her experience as a tutor has be incredibly rewarding.

“There’s something about experiencing and watching someone progress,” she said. “When you work one-on-one, you really see the progress.”

She says the one-on-one sessions help foster trust and a relationship that gives the learner confidence to succeed.

“It would be scary to immerse yourself in another language,” Cates said. “Tutors need to develop a rapport with the person. Some learners are very isolated and that can be very lonely.”

“We’re not aware that there are so many people who can’t read. For them, it would be a gift to spend the rest of their life reading. It opens so many doors.”

Hensleigh said Whitefish is in need of tutors more than any other city in the valley, especially with English as a second language students.

To learn more about LVFC, the book distribution program, or to volunteer, visit online at www.literacyflathead.org or call 257-7323.