ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. – Learning to read transformed a woman’s life and gave her a second chance she never saw coming.
It’s estimated that 21% of adults in Duval County perform at or below the lowest literacy level measured by PIAAC. According to PIAAC, the percentage is a bit lower in St. Johns County at 11%.
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Mary Floyd was a part of the 21% bracket until she decided to give reading one more try with the nonprofit organization Learn to Read of St. Johns County.
The education system at the time that Floyd was in school drastically failed to help her. She was labeled with a learning disability in third grade and repeated the fourth grade, but she was passed through the school system with D’s and minimal support, graduating high school without the ability to read, write, or spell.
At 67 years old, Floyd was tired of hiding her illiteracy from everyone, including her family. But her shame and belief that she was inadequate after trying to learn twice held her back from learning to read as an adult.
However, two years ago, Floyd hit a breaking point.
“I didn’t want to die this way,” said Floyd.
The first phone call to Learn to Read started Floyd’s journey and got her to achieve her lifelong goal to read with confidence.
“Learning to read has transformed Mary’s life. Once isolated and full of shame, she now reads and writes with pride. She even wrote and read her short story “Bubble” aloud to an audience of over 200 people at the recent Florida Literacy Conference,” said Joseph Cinney of Learn to Read of St. Johns County.
Floyd, now 70-years-old, is focusing her time on growing as a writer and helping to inspire those who feel stuck in their circumstances.
“I am a part of the world now, not just looking at it go by,” said Floyd.
Through the Florida Department of Education’s Your Way initiative, in partnership with organizations like Learn to Read, there’s hope to empower more adults like Floyd to take that first brave step toward changing their lives.
Anyone who wants to find adult education programs close to their ZIP code can visit AdultEducationFL.com.