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'De'sperate'neco epilliert "iSolutions for Illteracy," a one- day symoium on techniques u-sed in teaching basic reading, writing' and mat skills to adulte, was'held Saturday,, Feb. 20$ at the Holidi Inn, Oshàaa Sponsoredby the Literacy Couilcil of Durham Region, Janet Milner, chairman of the council, said that theconference was designed to assist both volunteer'tutors and members of communlty groupe in- volved i teacbing adults who have illlteracy problems. One workshop was on how to use newspapers 10 teach reading skills. There was alio a sedsion on a newly- developed 'reading ',seri.es for teaching adulte, and a workshop on how to recruitvolunteers from withinthecommunity. Alvin Curling, Ontario minister of skills development, gave the *keynote, address.' The skills development ministry has the lead government role for im proving aduit literacy skills in the province. TheMinistry also administers the* Ontario Community Literacy Gran- ts program.. Curling said literacy bas been a "hotý topic" of late, as 'the cost of illiteracy in business and society is estimated to be in the billions of dollars. "But you and I don't deal with the billions of dollars ...,we deai with the loss of aproductive life, we deal with the human side of illiteracy" Curling told volunteer tutors, among the 50 people who attended theconference. "In our hearts, we know the cost is j greater." Curling said while government funding to address the problem is about $50 million a year, the "com- munitY" must also raise funds and become more involved. "It's community which bas to live w ith the probltem,"'said Curling, former president of the Laubach Literacy of Canada. He also said newspapers,'wbich provide some of the best material for learning to read slnce they are easlly accesible and cheap; could devote one page to more simple, more easily com- prehensible language to help fight illiteracy, Hie sald the attention to the problem of illiteracy bas provided' an awareness that bas been sough for years. "The most important need is communications," sald Terry Wright, president of the Ontario branch of the Laubach Literacy of Canada. "The awareness of what people are doing is important. ", "One-fifth of Ontario citizens desperatelyneedourhelp."l George Fowlie, of the Alternative School in' Brantford, discussed problems related to working with learningdisabledstuidents. Marilyn MacKenzie, coordinator of the volunteer -'management program at Humber College of Ap- plied Arts and Technology, led the workshop on how torecruit com- munity voluntéeers. Diane Young and Joyce Castle, both of the In- dustrial Tutoring Program at Brock University in St. Catharines, also ledworkshops. Connie Morgan,'chief tramner with Laubach Liter4cy of Ontario,' discussed- the new Challenger reading series for aduits. Gwen Darch and Barbara Marchant, of the Aduit Learn-to-Read program,~ Washington United Church; Scar- borough, presented the "whole learning approach" to student- centredreadingprograms.ý 1 Within the regional muni*cipality of Durham, there are aimnost 30,000 people over the age of 15 who have not-completed Gr.ade -9," said Milner. "Almost 20,000 of this segment are i Oshawa. This means that one out of every f ive people in this regioni are, according to the UNESCOdef inition, considered to be functionally illiterate.> "We need more public awareness of the magnitude of this problem. And we need more, volunteers to be there when a duits with illiteracy problema seek our help," Milner said. The Literacy Council of Durham Region is an organization of volun- teers who teach aduli to read and *rite.. "Volunteers are offered a 12-hour workshop through Which they are trained in the Laubach method, and certified in accordance with basic minimum requirements of Laubach Literacy of Canada. This le the first method tutors are expos ed to, but it is recognized that it is not the only method. Obituaries ALFRED LEWBRENTZ Alfred Uwe Lewerentz of RR 1, Nestieton died in Newcastle on February 22, 1988. He was 49. He was born in Itzehoe, West Ggýrmany, on Augtist 26,-1938, son of Alfred. Lewerentz and Aima Nordniann., He married Kathleen Mae on Novembér 13," 1965. A Whitby resident for. 13' years, Mr. Lewerentz was a paint- coordinat«r at General Motrs' for 25 years. He is survived by his wife, daughters Vanessa and Carol and, son Shawn. He was'predeceased by son- Shane. The funeral service, conducted by Rev. R. Baxter, was held from the W.C. Town Funeral Chapel in Whitby on -february 25, 1988. Interment at Mount Lawn Cenmetery.* PROTECT THOSE YOU LOVýE,' Death' is unavoidable, but'it is possible, to protectý the bereaved from unneoesaay uf ferin,.' our uneral slovedl Prearranging and prepaying or y syý, ones from decisions and financialdeliberations when they are, already under great stress. Arranging*now nieans you màke the, choices. And if you prepay too, the monley is ut in trust so .that what ouelect today is paid for tomnorrow. It's-certainly worth Prearrainin is simply more thoughtful. 14ONTAFJO FUNERAL LE SERVICE ASSOCIATION W. C. TOWN FUNEIRAL CHAPEL FUNERAL DIRECTOIRS JOHIN IL TOWN JAYNE LANGLOIS - TOWN 110 DIJNDAS EAST 668-3410 FORDý t . 4,REEa4tI 4, 1/ sAY ARH2,98,PtE