LNGC classes empower adults through free literacy classes

Sharon Johnson initially became involved with the Literacy Network of Greater Cincinnati when she made the decision to support her fiancé who had enrolled in classes through the nonprofit’s Adult Basic Literacy Program.
 
What she found, however, was that the content he was learning picked up where she had left off in her own studies.
 
“My story starts when I was little. I couldn’t pronounce words at all. I stuttered. My pronunciation was really bad,” Johnson says. “But my mom made it her business to find ways to teach me and to get me to programs like this one when I was a little girl.”
 
But at age 16, Johnson had to quit school to help raise her sisters and to care for her mother, who had become ill.
 
“I never went back. I tried two programs when I was about 19, and they didn’t help—they made me feel uncomfortable,” Johnson says. “At 35, my mom was getting sicker, my kids were growing up—I wanted her to be proud of me—I wanted them to be proud of me, and I wanted to be proud of myself.”
 
So Johnson worked to attain her GED, and she continues to further her knowledge through the LNGC’s classes.
 
“What mama don’t know, mama can’t teach,” Johnson says. “I wanted my children to know that no matter what life throws at you, you can always go back and get your education. I’m very happy to have this program in my life.” 

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•    Spread the word about the LNGC's services so more individuals like Johnson can become empowered.