At Memphis Striving Readers, we are committed to fostering a love for reading and improving literacy in our community. We offer various programs, including tutoring sessions, engaging family reading nights, and comprehensive volunteer training.

We believe that literacy is a fundamental skill that opens doors to opportunities. Our dedicated team is always ready to assist you in your journey towards better literacy, whether you are seeking support for yourself or your family.

If you have questions, want to learn more about our programs, or wish to get involved, we encourage you to reach out. Here are some ways to connect with us:

We look forward to hearing from you and working together to promote literacy in Memphis!

Understanding Health Information: Why Literacy Matters Beyond the Classroom

Reading skills shape far more than school performance. One of the places adults feel the effects most directly is in health care. Prescription labels, appointment letters, insurance forms, consent documents and discharge instructions are often written in dense, technical language. Someone who struggles with reading may find these documents confusing. That can lead to missed appointments, mistakes with medication or reluctance to ask questions. Researchers and public health groups call this challenge health literacy: the ability to find, understand and use health information to make decisions.

Health literacy is not only about reading level. Confident readers can also feel lost when faced with unfamiliar medical terms or complicated billing statements. Still, strong foundational reading skills make a real difference. They help people work through printed materials, compare options and prepare questions before a visit.

Practical habits that help families

  • Read labels together. When a family member gets a new medicine, read the label aloud and talk through the dosage and timing. This builds vocabulary and keeps everyone safe.
  • Write questions down before appointments. A short list helps adults stay focused. It is also good writing practice for older children who help.
  • Ask for plain-language explanations. It is always reasonable to ask a doctor, nurse or pharmacist to explain something again or show it another way.
  • Keep a simple family health notebook. Recording appointments, medicines and instructions turns everyday reading and writing into a useful routine.

Our tutors often use real-world materials like these in adult sessions. Learners practise on the kinds of documents they actually meet, from forms to leaflets. If you would like support for yourself or a relative, take a look at our tutoring and family programs. You can also browse our reading resources for tips you can use at home.

This information is general and is not medical advice. For questions about a specific diagnosis, treatment or medication, please speak with a qualified health professional.

Also on this site: Events