BYOB to Turning Pages
By Jackie Perrone jacper@juno.com

Just about everything's new at Turning Pages. The name. The location. And the partnership with Volunteers of America.

What isn't new is their mission: enabling adults to improve English language and reading skills through customized learning programs.

The former name was The Greater Columbia Literacy Council. Since 1968, this agency has matched volunteers with applicants for improved literacy and other basic skills.

Now, like many bride, the agency has changed its name because of its "marriage" to Volunteers of America. The former Council is now called Turning Pages, a highly evocative symbol of its book- based mission.

Debbie Yoho has been director of the literacy program since 1994. She has overseen its growth in numbers and programs and now its new personality in partnership with a larger organization.

"Volunteers of America is a service in North and South Carolina, which has focused on affordable housing for needy citizens. This merger means our mission can be carried to people where they live and all across the state. We can do more for more people in more places than had been possible before," she says.

Turning Pages has struggled recently with budget cuts while the need for literacy tutoring continues to increase. Debbie Yoho emphasizes, however, that the City of Columbia tripled its contribution

to the non-profit agency this year, with a grant of $12,500 rather than the $4,000 it gave last year. From the estate of a former Council tutor came a donation of more than $37,000 last year. Money is always needed, as well as a dependable volunteers.

"Our volunteers are our lifeblood," she says. "You may be surprised to know that about 40 percent of our volunteers hold master's degrees. We enlist retirees, engineers, business people. Anyone who enjoys reading and appreciates its value can help. They are asked to give three hours a week, two 1 1/2 - hour sessions with a student. We provide the location and the supplies. Our public libraries are wonderful partners with us. They have a New Reader section where students can find appropriate materials for developing their new skills." Turning Pages has been located on Devine Street, but as of August 25 will operate from a larger space in the Forest Acres area of Columbia. Their phone number remains the same.------

In conjunction with this move, Turning Pages is releasing a large stockpile of books of all sorts. Turning Pages at 2728 Devine Street will be open the next two Saturdays as well as every weekday: Saturday August 11 and Saturday August 18, 10 am to 2 pm to give away books. Bring Your Own Box (BYOB) to carry them away!

Yoho and Turning Pages have appreciated the support of John Baker of the Baker and Baker Realty Company, who have assisted in their office space on Devine. Appropriately, it had been formerly a branch library.