Dyslexia Program Is Changing Lives for Low-Income Baltimore Children, Adults
BALTIMORE (WJZ)—It's a language based learning disability affecting the reading skills of one in every five people here in the United States, but great strides are being made in helping those with dyslexia.
Devin Owens meets with his tutor Julie Matthews once a week. They've done it for seven years as part of Baltimore's Dyslexia Tutoring program.
"It's helped me a lot socially, speaking more and opening up to other people," said 18-year-old Devin Owens. "I believe now that I can do things and I believe in myself."
And for Owens it's words and much more.
"Miss Julie always pushes me to read every day," said Owens. "We do current events and she keeps me up to date, she's basically like a second mom."
A game changer for Julie too.
"It has really changed my life for the better," said Julie Matthews. "I think it's such a neat opportunity to work with someone who needs help and guide them and help them in any way that you can."
Marcy Kolodny, who's the program's CEO, says dyslexia affects children and adults all over the world.
"In the United States 15 to 20 percent of the population is dyslexic or has a language reading disability," said Kolodny. "The Dyslexia Tutoring Program was founded in 1985. When I first came here we were tutoring 40 children."
Now, the program is helping more than 200 low income children and adults in the Baltimore area.
October is National Dyslexia Awareness month and the tutoring program will hold its annual gala fund raiser next Thursday night, October 6th at the Marriott Waterfront Hotel. They are also in need of volunteer tutors.
To learn how you can help CLICK HERE.
