On-the-Move Community Integration to Offer Free Reading Program for Adults with Special Needs

PORTLAND, OR, November 21, 2011 (Press-News.org) On-the-Move Community Integration, a 501c3 organization devoted to supporting adults with special needs access healthful, meaningful and environmentally responsible activities in their community, will begin a free reading program for adults with developmental disabilities in January of 2012. The program is critically important as such services are virtually nonexistent in the Portland area.

The reading program, funded in part by a grant from the Meyer Memorial Trust, is open to all community members in the Tri-County area with developmental disabilities who wish to improve their reading skills. Courses will take place on Thursday afternoons from 3:00-4:30 p.m. at On-the-Move, located at 4187 SE Division, Portland, Oregon, 97202. The facility is easily accessed by public transportation from all areas.

The first session will begin on January 19 and the second session on April 2. Each session runs for 10 weeks. Pre-registration is required and space is limited. The registration deadline for the January 19 session is Friday, January 13 and the deadline for the April 5 session is Friday, March 23. The classes will be taught by Executive Director Molly Mayo and two-time Portland Public Schools Teacher of the Year, Meghann Kabza, both holding Master's Degrees in Special Education.

The community based class approach is designed to help participants at all reading levels with daily-life skills such as the completion of volunteer and employment applications, functional sign reading and general reading improvement. Classes will be held in a group environment, with personal attention given to students by both teachers and volunteers.

Volunteers are needed on a short-term basis for the program as well. While no prior teaching experience is necessary, those who wish to participate should have good reading skills and a desire to work with a diverse student base. Volunteer training will take place on January 12 from 3:00-5:00 p.m. and the deadline to pre-register for the training is January 5. These rewarding volunteer positions offer a wonderful opportunity to support an underserved community.

For additional information, to volunteer or to pre-register for a class, please contact On-the-Move Community Integration at 503.287.0346 or email info@onthemoveonline.org