Shelby Literacy Center
Literacy Mid-South Intern Corey Jeffries spoke with Shelby Literacy Center Former Executive Director Pam DeMato about the organization’s work, specifically how they are breaking down barriers and stigma around adult education.
Former SLC Executive Director Pam DeMato
Tell us about your organization.
Shelby Literacy Center has been a non-profit dedicated to helping adult learners for over 30 years. We focus on empowerment - you tell us what YOU want to accomplish and we will support you.
Because we are a smaller organization, we are able to support adults in whatever learning goals they have - whether it is to get a driver’s license, pass one last section of their HiSET test, improve their English for a career, or just to find friends, etc.
We rely on volunteer tutors to support us. I started as a volunteer reading tutor myself - it is a very meaningful experience and besides enriching the lives of our students, our volunteers are positively impacted as well.
What programs do you offer to adult learners?
We offer ESL classes and tutoring for adults learning English and high school equivalency prep (tutoring and materials) in English and Spanish. Our Learn to Earn program focuses on helping people prepare for employment - by earning a diploma, working on a resume, practicing interview skills, etc, networking, etc. Our family literacy arm, Betty’s Books, donates reading material to teachers, parents, and kids around the metro area to encourage reading engagement.
Why is your organization important to Memphis? Improving adult literacy is THE key to bringing families out of poverty. The more access to adult literacy opportunities a community has to share, the more literate and healthier it becomes as a whole. Pairing tutors and adults of different backgrounds is a very enriching experience and they learn so much from each other - that has a positive effect on our community which is so important.
Why is it important to offer life-long learning opportunities to adults as a community?
Human beings are born with the capacity for lifelong learning. Supporting and offering chances to keep learning encourages personal growth, develops friendships and feelings of community, reduces isolation, and increases self-confidence.
What (if anything) have you appreciated about your partnership with Literacy Midsouth?
The staff at LMS are remarkably talented and full of energy. We at the SLC have always appreciated their collaboration and support!
What is a common misconception you notice about adult learners that you wish you could dispel?
One of the biggest misconceptions about adult learners is that many people think because they have low literacy they have failed. They have not failed, they are not failures - they have been failed. Adult literacy organizations exist to kind of pick up those pieces and help those learners who know a lot of different things in other areas improve in that area that they were not able to access when they needed it most.
If someone wants to support your work, what is the best way for them to do it?
Adult literacy organizations like the SLC exist to help pick up the pieces and fill in the gaps that can change the trajectory of an entire family’s life. Becoming a monthly donor or a volunteer are the two best ways to help!
If someone wants to take advantage of your programming, what should they do?
Email info@shelbyliteracy.com or call us at 901-854-0288.
What is one thing you hope can come from the N-Able Coalition/Partnership?
Serving more adults in the Greater Memphis area - stronger together!
Can you describe any recent partnerships or joint projects with other organizations that have been particularly successful or impactful?
We teamed up with Girls on the Run and donated 167 books to the girls in that organization - such a fun project! We also sent some volunteers with treats and tea to Asha’s Refuge to support their monthly women’s English conversation group.
If you could wave a magic wand, what is one thing you would wish for, for Memphis?
To weave together all the wonderful community resources, we have to support all the hardworking, wonderful people who make up the Greater Memphis Metro area.
Follow Shelby Literacy Center Facebook and Instagram for class and program schedules, and visit shelbyliteracy.com for more information.
