There is a widespread misconception about dyslexia, said Kari Bucholz, founder of Fargo dyslexia tutoring center Haley’s Hope. It’s not just a struggle with reading and writing. It breaks down a person’s confidence, and can severely affect an individual’s ability to comprehend the world around them.

She knows, because she has watched her son Haley struggle with profound dyslexia for years.

For the first two and a half years, she tried everything. The nearest tutoring program was in St. Paul, so she and Haley drove there once a week. She was training to become a tutor herself, when she had a realization.

“I can certainly work to help train my son,” she said. “But this is bigger than that.”

Haley’s Hope

There are 1 in 5 people who struggle with dyslexia, Bucholz said. She knew that there must be others in the Fargo region that need tutoring. This is why she started Haley’s Hope in 2011, a Fargo-based organization that specializes in screening and consulting for dyslexia.

Since their quiet beginnings with 3 students in one tutoring room, Haley’s Hope now works with over 150 students and families on a monthly basis, Bucholz said. They have 23 tutors that work out of the main center and in certain schools in the FM area, as well as a tutor in Hawley, Nevis, Mahnomen and Detroit Lakes.

“There is no one else in this region,” Bucholz said. “We’re here in this region because we want to be able to reach out to those smaller communities.”

Bucholz emphasizes that the students vary from 5 to 95 years old. One adult student received a job promotion after working on their writing skills with Haley’s Hope, Bucholz said.

“We have all these individuals that have all this potential who maybe aren’t reaching that,” Bucholz said. “I think this will make our workforce better.”

Haley’s Hope offers hour long one-on-one sessions for $55.00. The program takes about three years, she said, and sessions are twice a week.

“The commitment is long, but when you think about that amount of time compared to the time it takes to get from 1st to 12th grade – this gives them [students] the tools they need to go through those challenges at school,” she said.

Haley’s Hope & Giving Heart’s Day

Unfortunately, she said, the sessions are not covered by insurance and some families are unable to afford the tutoring. Through Giving Heart’s Day, Bucholz hopes to raise enough money to offer scholarships to more families.

“If we could have $50,000 just in scholarship money that would take care of up to 20 students to go through the program,” she said.

From what Bucholz has witnessed in the five years of running Haley’s Hope, the result is changing lives.

“Considering the struggles I’ve seen with my son… I get it. I get what this does to you physically and emotionally,” she said. “At Haley’s Hope, people come in the door and say, ‘I’m finally some place that I don’t have to fake who I am. These are my strengths, I’m smart I’m creative, but nobody can see that part of me.’

“But we can, and we do,” she said. “We know it’s there. We just have to get it out.”

 

Come hear more from Haley’s Hope at 1 Million Cups Fargo tomorrow! Join us at 9:15 AM at the Stage at Island Park.

Photos courtesy of Haley’s Hope.