I moved to Daly City. I had a baby girl. As I watched her grow up, I knew that it would be time for her to go to school. And that is what happened, my daughter started school. At first it was easy because she was only in kindergarten. That meant no homework. But as the years rolled by and my daughter grew more and more, the homework started to come in, and I began to cry because I could not help her because I could not read. (My daughter grew up with the same problems: she also has dyslexia.)
     My mother and I moved to a different part of town. The reason I bring this part of the story up is because this is when I found out that there are some people who cared. I had just gone grocery shopping to try to clear my mind, so I drove home. I was just setting in my car in the rain. I happened to look up just in time to see a young lady walking in the rain. I honked my horn at her to ask her where she was going. She said to the store. I asked her if I could give her a ride. She said yes.
     I did not know this person at all, but for some reason I felt very comfortable talking to her. That was the very first time I told someone who was outside my family that I could not read. The young lady I’m talking about is Dolores Jackson. She was my first tutor, and my best friend. Dolores encouraged me in so many ways. She was the one who told me about the Project Read program.
     Now I am 46 years old and I am determined to prove to myself that I can learn how to READ, WRITE, and SPELL!! Now I have enrolled in the Project Read program in San Francisco. I was treated with very much respect. The staff members got together and met with me. They talked to me as a person, not someone who was not intelligent. They even asked me what it was that I wanted out of the program. Once everything was established—what I wanted and what they expected out of me—they matched me with my very first Project Read tutor. Her name was Marlene Mabell.
     My first tutor day, was I excited! The first time we met I was very pleased with the way she was able to help me understand my homework. Marlene and I talked for a while and through our conversation I told her that I had started to teach myself to read, write, and spell. I was so determined to find things to help me learn. Finally, I found a company that made this wonderful speaking machine that helps you with spelling, reading and writing. I had it with me the day that we met so I showed her how it worked. But unfortunately we had to depart.
     Now I have a new tutor, her name is Nicole Beaty. We have only been together for just a few weeks but she is God sent.
     If I had a million dollars I would invest money and my time into this program. I would personally push this program even further, I would set this program up so that those who did not graduate from high school could come and get their diploma through this program.
     To sum this story up, the reason I opened my story up to the world is because I used to be ashamed to let anyone know about my personal life.
     You see, no matter how old or how young you are, you should not give up on yourself. It is not too late to learn.
     Thank you Project Read for having this type of program for people like us. And thank God for three people who cared. Please keep this program going for those who want to learn.