Build A Home For Alferd

"It takes hands to build a house, but only hearts can build a home" - Author Unknown

• Build a Home for Alferd
• CAP St.Joe
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Build A Home For Alferd
C/o Tiffany Tant-Shafer
P.O. Box 173
Saint Joseph, MO  64502-0173

Help Us Build A Home For Alferd

Let us tell you about our friend, Alferd Williams.  After decades of not being able to read, Alferd decided it was finally time to make up for the education that he missed out on as a child.  Growing up, he was the oldest of nine brothers and sisters.  So, when his father became ill, it was up to him to stay home and take care of his family—leaving his dream of an education behind.  While working on the farm, Alferd’s mother taught him a few letters, some numbers and how to count.  But Alferd says, “It was always my mother’s dream that I would learn to read.”  At the age of 68, Alferd took a chance and reached out to Alesia Hamilton at Edison Elementary School, who is helping make his mother’s dream come true! 

Alferd met Alesia while walking a friend’s child to and from her first grade room every day.  One day after school, Alesia asked Alferd about a note that was sent home with the child.  It was at that time that Alferd told her he was unable to read.  Alesia suggested some commmunity resources that could help him learn.  However, Alferd relayed that he had tried to learn to read in the past, but people didn't have the patience to teach him, so he sweetly declined any help.  Alferd continued being visible every day at school.  He would ask how the kids' day went, and would greet everyone with a smile that lit up from ear to ear.  Toward the end of the school year Alferd approached Alesia again.  He told her that he was READY to learn to read and said "I want YOU to teach me to read."  I told Alferd that I would have to think about it....I had never taught anyone over 8 years old!  At first, Alesia was hesitant, not knowing whether she could teach an adult to read.  Alesia related, “I only had experience teaching my 6-year-old friends and did not know what I could do for an adult… I think he knew about five words, he could just barely read his name.  However, Alesia took in her new friend. 

Alferd began tutoring and would meet with Alesia each day (for about an hour) after summer school.  Alferd and Alesia tutored the rest of the summer (mostly 3-4 days a week) in the Edison library.  Alferd began reading at a level 3 (this is about where an exiting kindergartener would be) and now reads above a level 13 (strong first grade level)!  He comes to first grade EVERY morning to volunteer, read with friends, and soak up more literacy. 

At the time Alesia met Alferd, he was living with a friend and her children in a small home.  However, since that time, he fell on hard times and was forced to move out of the house.  Living on a fixed income, he was not able to find a place of his own and we worked for months trying to locate a new home for him.  We were almost able to secure a trailer home, but had no land on which to put it that was within walking distance of the school.  The only place Alferd was able to secure for he and his two dogs was a temporary living arrangement in a basement apartment.  During all of this, Alferd has struggled with his blood sugar levels and most recently suffered a minor stroke.  Despite all of his life trials, Alferd makes his way to Edison every morning and continues pursuing his life long goal of learning to read.