Creek County Literacy Program

About the Organization

Creek County Literacy Program (CCLP) began in 1989 with the mission to provide Adult Literacy services in Creek County. We began in a small room in the basement of the library. Around 2007, our building was erected through funding by Friends of the Library and the Bartlett Foundation. The City owns and maintains our 5,000 square foot building and our stipulation is we are to only provide literacy related outreaches here.

CCLP now provides Adult Literacy, Youth Literacy and Health Literacy Outreaches. We do offer Computer/Technology Literacy help on a one-on-one basis, but we no longer provide workshops. Under the Youth Literacy umbrella is our Caring Grands Reading Program. Tutors work with the same child weekly, first and second grade struggling readers, to help increase their sight word recognition. The child is gifted a book each week to build a personal home library.

We have had three executive directors. One was here a few years. The current Executive Director Melissa Struttmann replaced Barbara Belk, who retired after 19 years of service. Melissa was hired in January 2013.

CCLP is governed by a board of directors comprised of about 15 local volunteers. They meet monthly, breaking in June and July.

CCLP has one major fundraiser, the Spelling Bee, which has been converted to a “non-event” fundraiser for two years to skirt large gatherings. They will resume holding it in person in 2024. Please click this link to see more information about this year’s Spelling Bee and consider donating–while not attending.

CCLP has been a Tulsa Area United Way Agency since 1991.

Registration numbers have decreased since Covid and have been slow to resume. Our 2022 numbers:

  • 15 adult students
  • 55 youth students
  • 66 Caring Grand Volunteers
  • 163 Caring Grand students and
  • 633 health literacy attendees

Last month, CCLP hosted the Symposium: Focusing on Adult Learners in partnership with Oklahoma Literacy Coalition.

About the Executive Director

Melissa Struttmann came to CCLP after a position with the American Diabetes Association where she managed the Step Out fundraising event and was responsible for a $190k fundraising goal. Before that, she was the Director of Member Services with the Jenks Chamber of Commerce. Before that, she had a home-based community magazine called the Jenks Express. It was direct mailed to 8,000 homes and businesses each month. It was 40 pages, Melissa wrote the articles, sold the ad space and did the layout. And affixed the 8,000 labels each month (with a little child labor help). She had been a Stay-At-Home-Mom to six kids, one profoundly disabled, about 18 years. Melissa had always been a part of fundraising events in her church and volunteered by doing weekly bulletins and newsletters.

Melissa is the Treasurer for Oklahoma Literacy Coalition. We are very glad to have her and her experience.

Read Across Oklahoma 2023

Hats Off to Reading

The 2023 celebration of reading and early literacy will take place at the Oklahoma City Zoo on April 11, 2023. The theme, Hats Off to Reading is inspired by the book, That is a Hat by Tulsa author Betty Selakovich Casey.

All Oklahoma schools are invited to participate in Read Across Oklahoma virtually, and a limited number of kindergarten classes will be invited as special guests to the live event. As special guests, classes will receive paid admission to the zoo where children will participate in a variety of activity stations, hear the author read her book, and visit the animal exhibits.

Additionally, each child will receive a copy of That is a Hat prior to the event so they are familiar with the story. All this is made possible thanks to the generosity of many private and public sponsors.

Celebrating Our Journey, Volume 13

image of desk with blank journal

A collection of life stories written by Oklahoma adult learners

Another opportunity to showcase Oklahoma learners and provide evidence of the impact of literacy programs!

The Office of Literacy Development is pleased to announce the 2023 publication of Volume 13 of Celebrating Our Journey. This hugely successful series will again showcase the thoughts and writings of Oklahoma adult learners.

This writing project will help improve reading, writing and critical thinking skills of learners and show your community the positive impact of the literacy program. Adult learners and their tutors/teachers are encouraged to work together in writing, typing, editing, and submitting the story.

All active learners from your program regardless of reading or writing level are invited to participate.

Here are the details:

The 2023 publication will feature four topic options:                                      

(1) Goals
(2) Advice
(3) Looking Forward
(4) Poetry
(5) Instructors

1. Each learner is invited to submit one original story.

2. Stories should be titled and limited to 300 words.

3. Tutors, instructors and/or a program representative should review the submitted stories to assist the learners with correct spelling, grammar, punctuation, etc.

4. Typed stories in Word format should be emailed to rebecca.barker@libraries.ok.gov

5. A release form signed by the learner should be maintained in the local program files.

6. Photographs of the authors may be included in the book if they are high resolution, quality photos

7. Stories and photos must be submitted by May 30, 2023.

8. The books will be ready for distribution in the fall. Each author will receive two books and their tutor will receive a copy.

Don’t miss the opportunity to include stories by learners from your program in the 2023 publication.

See the following sections for suggestions and additional information.

Questions?   Email rebecca.barker@libraries.ok.gov or call 522-3205 or 800-522-8116.

Celebrating Our Journey, Volume 13
A collection of life stories written by Oklahoma adult learners

Talk with learners about the topics that will be featured in the book. If they need direction, they might use a story starter.

Goals

Learners are often inspired when asked to tell about their goals in life.

Possible Story Starters:

  • If I could do one thing….
  • I’ve always wanted to ….

Advice

Encourage learners to talk about advice from someone they admire.

Possible Story Starters

  • I will always remember the advice…
  • The best advice I’ve ever been given…

Looking Forward

Recovering from the impact of COVID 19, learners may describe the future after this challenging time.

Possible Story starter

  • After a difficult season, I’m looking forward to…

Poetry

Many learners enjoy expressing themselves with poetry. Increased vocabulary and grammar skills are the result as they speak for themselves through poetry. There are some great suggestions at https://tinyurl.com/ffebswyk

Each author and tutor will receive a free copy of Celebrating Our Journey. Each program will receive copies to present to funders, media, legislators, etc.

Mark the May 30 deadline on your calendar. Share this project with tutors and learners. Encourage participation. Help make Volume 13 the best yet!

This project is possible thanks to funding from the Oklahoma Department of Libraries and the Institute of Museum and Library Services.

_______________________________________________________________
Celebrating Our Journey, Volume 13
Release Form

I give permission to the Oklahoma Department of Libraries and the Institute of Museum and Library Services to use my story and photograph (if applicable) in literacy and library publications, websites, reports, and literacy awareness activities. I understand that I will not receive payment.

_______________________________________________________________
Signature

_______________________________________________________________
Print Name

_______________________________________________________________
Literacy/Education Program

To Program Representative:
Submit only stories which have a signed released form. Maintain release forms in your program files.

Creek County Literacy Program Offers Free Tutor Training Workshop to Adult Volunteers

Help Teach An Adult to Read. Become a Volunteer Literacy Tutor.

(SAPULPA, OK – October 6, 2022) Adult literacy volunteers are needed to help Creek County area adults improve reading, writing and basic math skills. 

  • Twenty percent of adults in Creek County 18 to 24 years old do not have a high school diploma.
  • Ten percent of adults in Creek County 25 years of age and older do not have a high school diploma.
  • Twelve percent of Oklahoma adults – more than 400,000 – are functionally illiterate.

Creek County Literacy Program is a non-profit organization that trains adults to become volunteer literacy tutors, and then matches those tutors with adult learners. To become a tutor, individuals must attend Creek County Literacy Program’s free one-day Tutor Training workshop. Knowledge of another language is not necessary and no prior teaching experience is required. This workshop is scheduled for Wednesday, October 26 from 9am to 4pm at Creek County Literacy Program, 15 North Poplar Street in Sapulpa. Lunch is provided.

Presenter Joanie Mullins earned both her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Elementary Education with an emphasis on Curriculum and Instruction from Oklahoma State University.  She retired from Sapulpa Public Schools after 34 years of teaching in grades K-3.  Her last 5 years of teaching were in the Title I Reading and Math program where she worked with small groups of students in grades K-5 who needed more instruction in Reading and/or Math.  She has been a Caring Grand volunteer for 4 years.

For more information or to register for this free workshop, please call 918-224-9647. 

About Creek County Literacy Program
For 32 years CCLP has worked to improve the quality of life in our community by promoting and achieving literacy. One in five adults 18-24 years old in our county do not have a high school diploma. One in ten adults 25 years of age and older in our county do not have a high school diploma. Forty-one percent of students kindergarten through third grade in our county receive reading remediation. Through extensive outreach and collaboration with a network of community partners, CCLP strives to ensure that individuals who need to improve their literacy skills receive the help they need. CCLP’s Mission is to help every child and adult in Creek County to read through tutoring, technology and health literacy outreaches. CCLP’s Vision is for every child and adult in Creek County to read proficiently.

Creek County Literacy Program Offers Free Tutor Training Workshop to Adult Volunteers
Help Teach An Adult to Read. Become a Volunteer Literacy Tutor.

(SAPULPA, OK – October 6, 2022) Adult literacy volunteers are needed to help Creek County area adults improve reading, writing and basic math skills. 

  • Twenty percent of adults in Creek County 18 to 24 years old do not have a high school diploma.
  • Ten percent of adults in Creek County 25 years of age and older do not have a high school diploma.
  • Twelve percent of Oklahoma adults – more than 400,000 – are functionally illiterate.

Creek County Literacy Program is a non-profit organization that trains adults to become volunteer literacy tutors, and then matches those tutors with adult learners. To become a tutor, individuals must attend Creek County Literacy Program’s free one-day Tutor Training workshop. Knowledge of another language is not necessary and no prior teaching experience is required. This workshop is scheduled for Wednesday, October 26 from 9am to 4pm at Creek County Literacy Program, 15 North Poplar Street in Sapulpa. Lunch is provided.

Presenter Joanie Mullins earned both her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Elementary Education with an emphasis on Curriculum and Instruction from Oklahoma State University.  She retired from Sapulpa Public Schools after 34 years of teaching in grades K-3.  Her last 5 years of teaching were in the Title I Reading and Math program where she worked with small groups of students in grades K-5 who needed more instruction in Reading and/or Math.  She has been a Caring Grand volunteer for 4 years.

For more information or to register for this free workshop, please call 918-224-9647. 

About Creek County Literacy Program
For 32 years CCLP has worked to improve the quality of life in our community by promoting and achieving literacy. One in five adults 18-24 years old in our county do not have a high school diploma. One in ten adults 25 years of age and older in our county do not have a high school diploma. Forty-one percent of students kindergarten through third grade in our county receive reading remediation. Through extensive outreach and collaboration with a network of community partners, CCLP strives to ensure that individuals who need to improve their literacy skills receive the help they need. CCLP’s Mission is to help every child and adult in Creek County to read through tutoring, technology and health literacy outreaches. CCLP’s Vision is for every child and adult in Creek County to read proficiently.

Volunteer Tutors Needed

Path to Literacy

I Believe I Can Fly

Jesse Cradduck

The Oklahoma Department of Libraries Literacy Resource Office, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, shared Jesse’s story with us. 

“Jesse Cradduck is the smartest person I know. He was functionally illiterate until age 30, but reached for his dreams and never gave up.”
—Leslie Gelders, Literacy Director, Oklahoma Department of Libraries

When Jesse was 3 years old he was involved in a car accident that scarred his face and left him with partial hearing loss. Another car accident when he was 7 killed his mother. He was left with deep physical and emotional scars. After his mother’s death, he was raised by his grandmother and lived in extreme poverty. 

Jesse never learned to read during school. He made it through the sixth grade before dropping out to find work. 

By this point, Jesse was 13, and he had been moved to his aunt’s house where he had a room on the back porch with no insulation from the cold winters, and no relief from the hot Oklahoma summers. 

He worked an average of 60 hours a week mowing lawns, performing odd jobs, and cleaning his uncle’s bar until late in the night.

During this time, Jesse met Shirley. He married her at age 15 and they had their first child a year later. Life was difficult for this new family, but Jesse was determined to provide stability. He did not want to live off relatives or take handouts from the government. He worked hard to find stable and sustainable employment, but Jesse continuously ran into obstacles due to his inability to read. 

After years of hardship, Jesse’s strong faith led him to ministry. This was extremely challenging and stressful because he still could not read. With Shirley’s help, Jesse memorized scripture and began preaching in a small church in Oklahoma City.

The pressure of “faking it” in life became too much for Jesse to bear and he ended up in the hospital with what he thought was a heart attack. The doctor recognized that his condition was caused by overwhelming stress, and that his inability to read was causing much of his anxiety. Jesse was referred to a local literacy program where he was matched with a literacy tutor who taught him how to read.

As his literacy skills started to improve, Jesse’s desire to learn also increased. He went on to earn his high school diploma and enrolled at Southwestern Christian University, where he earned his bachelor of arts degree and a master’s in church growth studies. He later received a doctorate from the American Bible School and Seminary.

He even wrote a book—I Believe I Can Fly. In it, Jesse shares his story and encourages others to learn to read or teach someone to read. 

At age 68, Jesse is still married to Shirley, still serves as a pastor, gives speeches around the world, and inspires others to reach for their dreams.

2022 Read Across Oklahoma

Read Across Oklahoma Returns with Free Book Giveaway and Both Live and Online Entertainment and Activities

Read across Oklahoma flyer

Read Across Oklahoma, the state’s premiere literary event for preschool and early grade children, returns on Tuesday, April 12 from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. with a free book giveaway at the Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden. The first 1,000 children with paid Zoo admission or ZOOfriends membership pass that day will receive a free book and are invited to participate in a variety of interactive learning stations and special performances.

Families and classrooms participating virtually can visit the Oklahoma Department of Libraries (ODL) at libraries.ok.gov/read to enjoy a special video of children’s author Dennis Mathew reading this year’s featured book, My Wild First Day of School. Online visitors will also be treated to musical performances, storytelling, and a variety of activities. The video also provides a look at the OKC Zoo and some of its animals and habitats.


Read Across Oklahoma is part of the statewide My First Library program coordinated by ODL, an early literacy initiative that helps develop literacy skills and promotes family reading. During a regular school year, the program distributes 1,900 books to early learning classrooms each month.

“Children who are exposed to books and have books to call their own at an early age develop better vocabularies and are better prepared for school,” Gelders said. “Getting books into the hands of young children is so important, and our partnership with the Zoo is another important avenue to help young children discover the wonderful world of books and reading.”

 “The Zoo is always excited to support Read Across Oklahoma,” said Candice Rennels, OKC Zoo’s director of public relations. “Seeing the animals at the zoo, taking home a book, and participating in activities that celebrate reading makes for a wonderful day of discovery for young children.”

My Wild First Day of School, by Mustang author Dennis Mathew, is a great feature book for this year’s event, Gelders said. “The animal characters in the story are excited about what they will accomplish during their first day of school. Characters identify different goals but they all want to do their best.”

The virtual side of the event provides opportunities for children and classrooms across Oklahoma to participate, Gelders said. “The online activities we provided during the pandemic proved to be very popular, and we wanted to continue this opportunity for young people to connect to the event no matter where they live in the state.”

Visit libraries.ok.gov/read to find the virtual activities. Families planning a visit to the Zoo can purchase their tickets in advance at www.okczoo.org/tickets. Families can also continue the reading adventure by visiting their local public library to find books and services for all ages.

Additional Read Across Oklahoma sponsors include Target, Tinker Federal Credit Union, Krueger Foundation, Institute of Museum and Library Services, Simply Country Ranch, Oklahoma Literacy Coalition, OKC Metro Literacy Coalition, Oklahoma City Public Schools, Teacher Prep Academy, Metro Technology Center, Metropolitan Library System, Junior League of Oklahoma City, Capitol Hill Graffix, and Pizza Hut.

For more information about Read Across Oklahoma, contact Katie.Bell@libraries.ok.gov or call 405-521-2034

The Oklahoma Department of Libraries is the official State Library of Oklahoma. It serves the information and records management needs of state government, assists with public library development, coordinates library and information technology projects for the state, and serves the general public through its specialized collections.

The Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden is located at the crossroads of I-44 and I-35. The Zoo is a proud member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, the American Alliance of Museums, Oklahoma City’s Adventure District and an Adventure Road partner. Hours of operation are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily with the last entry at 4:00 p.m.  Regular admission is $12 for adults and $9 for children ages 3-11 and seniors ages 65 and over. Children two and under are admitted free. Visit okczoo.org for more information.

Dennis Mathew is an elementary school speech pathologist, singer-songwriter, and author. Through his music and books, including Bello the Cello, My Wild First Day of School, and How Grizzly found Gratitude, Dennis has reached tens of thousands of students worldwide. Visit his website at booksbydennis.com.