Purpose:
Somali Adult Literacy Training (SALT) seeks to address the crippling condition of illiteracy among Somalis in the Twin Cities. As a result of civil war, most Somalis living in the Twin Cities lost their homes, their country, and many family members. On top of that, the Somali culture as a whole slid toward a preliterate state. In 1995, UNICEF estimated that 36% of Somali men and 14% of Somali women could read.
Did you know that between 60,000 to 70,000 Somalis live in the Twin Cities?
Current Program Activities:
SALT holds English language learning classes throughout the Twin Cities. That’s done through volunteers, like you. At most SALT sites, volunteer tutors work one-on-one with Somali students after lead teachers finish classroom instruction. At the McKnight Rd. site volunteers provide literacy tutoring to adults and homework for children in the homes of Somali families.
Currently, SALT classes are held at:
- Bethlehem Baptist Church (DT Minneapolis): M,T,W,Th 9 a.m. – 12 noon
- City of Refuge — Seward Church (S Minneapolis) M,T 6-8 p.m., W 2-4 p.m.
- C:oncordia University (St. Paul) T,W,Th 6-8 p.m.
- Parkview Apartments ( N Minneapolis) T,W,Th 10-11 a.m.
- Metro Senior Center (N Minneapolis) T,W,Th 6-7:30 p.m.
- McKnight Rd. site (E St. Paul) T, Th 6-8 p.m.
- Burnsville site coming January 2010 W 6-8 p.m.
If you want more information about the sites and class days and times, visit the SALT website. (The website is going online in January 2010.)
Director’s bio:
Michael Neterer is the Director of SALT. The original plan for SALT was developed as an academic exercise while Michael attended the Summer Institute of Linguistics, “MegaLiteracy Course,” at the University of North Dakota in 2003. Currently Michael is working on an MA in Organizational Management at Concordia University in St. Paul. You can contact Mike at
612-798-4332 or salt@wr.org
