Holiday 2005
Inside The Book* * * * * * * * * *
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2005 Hurricane Season Is One for the Record Books
The 2005 hurricane season has been a rough one. There were more named storms than ever and the Gulf Coast certainly took a beating. It will be a long time before any of us will forget hurricanes Katrina, Rita, or Wilma. These hurricanes taught us many things: Mother Nature is a force to be reckoned with; despite all our technology, maybe it really isn’t a good idea to build a city below sea-level; and poverty is rampant in the United States. It will be hard to forget the faces of thousands of people with nowhere to go and without food and water. Many people thought this was something only seen in poor, undeveloped countries somewhere else in the world. How could this happen here in the United States, the richest country in the world? But it’s true, and it’s not just in Louisiana and Mississippi. Poverty is present in every state and causes a lot of suffering. Studies have shown that poverty is closely tied to literacy. Illiteracy is associated with unemployment and low-wage jobs. Literacy and education allow one to obtain higher paying, more stable jobs and rise above the poverty level.
You can help fight the battle against poverty right here in the Augusta area by supporting Literacy Volunteers. Consider becoming more involved today. Donate your time or dollars to help us help those right here in our own communities to win the battle. There are many ways you can volunteer. Please give us a call today at 626-3440!
LVA Give Special Thanks to:
Thelma Swain, a long time member of the Augusta Affiliate, recently made a donation to be used in the support of tutor and student pairs. Tutors are happy to receive this benefit and have been acquiring much needed materials to aid their teaching efforts. One tutor bought a game to help her student with mathematical skills. Another had great success using The Talk of the Block, a series from New Readers Press on long and short vowels. These materials have now been turned over to our library for all to use.
The Augusta Wal-Mart has awarded a generous Literacy Grant to the Augusta Affiliate to support our work in improving literacy skills.
The Ladd Charitable Corp continues to provide much needed financial support of LVA with a generous grant to aid our efforts.
Central Maine Power has donated two copies of the award winning children’s book Kitten’s First Full Moon, by Kevin Henkes, to our New Reader Library, where they will be put to good use.
Seasons Greetings to Our Valued SupportersLiteracy Volunteers of Greater Augusta wishes all of you, Students, Tutors, Board and Training Members and our wonderful Funders a most Joyous Holiday Season. Thank you, to each one of you, for your contributions toward increasing literacy skills in our little corner of the world.
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New Tutor Trainer Recommended
Jenny Small is the Secretary of the Literacy Volunteers of Augusta Board of Directors. She is also an active tutor and at its last meeting, the Board recommended that she be certified as a ProLiteracy American Tutor Trainer. She has been working toward certification in a year-long process.
Tutor trainer certification requires that candidates first attend tutor training and become an active tutor. Aspiring trainers participate in training focused on supporting adults in setting goals and assisting the learning needed to reach those goals. Finally, the apprentice trainer coordinates and presents a tutor training workshop series. Jenny successfully completed all the steps according to Bob McIntire, her Supervising Trainer, throughout her program. All the paperwork has been submitted. Jenny is already looking forward to the next Tutor Training Workshop scheduled for this spring.
Anyone interested in supporting Literacy Volunteers educational efforts by becoming a tutor trainer, and helping Jenny on the Training Team, is encouraged to contact Gail Dyer at the LVA Office at 626-3440 or by email at info@lva-augusta.org.
~ Bob McIntire
Finding Inspiration Under the Tucson Sun
Wow! I’m feeling so fortunate to have had the opportunity to attend the 2005 ProLiteracy Conference in Tucson this fall. The Starr Pass Marriott was a gorgeous location in the foothills of the Tucson Mountains amid the plentiful Saguaro cactus. The multi level terraces, strewn with fire pits and chimaeras, meander down to the pool and spa area and all have a glorious view of downtown Tucson.
Lots of good work was done in this lovely setting where a myriad of training sessions, informational meetings, luncheons and a grand buffet provided us with valuable information on literacy issues. Of course the stories of students were the best part. The keynote speaker at the annual banquet was Jimmy Santiago Baca, Ph.D. His kind and gentle persona didn’t give away his turbulent past as he shared his inspiring story. Born in New Mexico of Chicano and Apache descent, he was raised first by his grandmother and was later sent to an orphanage. A runaway at age thirteen, Baca began to turn his life around after being sentenced to five years in a maximum security prison at the age of 21. There he learned to read and write and found his passion for poetry. Dr Baca is the author of several award winning books and operates several schools for immigrants. You can learn more of his story on his website www.jimmysantiagobaca.com
Meeting with members from literacy affiliates across the country, I learned that we all struggle with the same basic issues. Even Literacy Chicago, with 2000 students and 40 employees, had difficulty connecting with the Oprah Winfrey Foundation, a big supporter of literacy, until one of their employees became a tutor and helped them through the process.
I came back to Maine refreshed, with lots of new ideas and an uplifted spirit, and with gratitude for this empowering experience.
LVA Coordinator
Gail E. Dyer
Tutor Hall of Fame Welcomes Four
Our latest basic tutor training session was held at the beautiful new Winthrop High School, and led by trainers Jenny Small and Bob McIntire. I am pleased to announce that we now have four more wonderful tutors who have joined the Literacy Volunteers family.
Ed Libby, of Winthrop, worked in customer relations and taught communications and digital electronics for Washington County Technical College for 22 years. Linda Tukey taught family and consumer science for Jay High school and also worked for Kents Hill School and the Maine Department of Education. Sandy Hunter is a nurse for Maranacook School and has also worked in Costa Rica in the Peace Corps. Daria Rosen is a history major with interests in international studies, traveling to Russia to learn of their culture and speak their language. Linda, Sandy and Daria are all from the Readfield area. They are all anxiously waiting to be matched with some lucky students. LVA’s tutor training team is planning a Tutor Reunion & Support session on January 10th. We hope all LVA tutors will take this opportunity to meet and support our new tutors and see old friends.
~ Jenny Small
LVA Celebrates 31st Year
LVA held the 31st annual meeting of its membership at the Prince of Peace Church in Augusta on October 6. This meeting has also operated as our annual lasagna supper with several different kinds of lasagna served, cooked by our board members. We were honored to have two of the founders of the Augusta affiliate, Eleanor and Herb Travis, attend the dinner. Also, we welcomed Bridget Chase of LV Maine, as well as several tutors, volunteers, and a student.
At the meeting we gave out three Recognition Awards. The first two awards went to a Student/Tutor Pair, June Black and Gail Wippelhauser. They have worked together faithfully since March 1996.
The third award went to our Volunteer of the Year, Judy Paradis (pictured above). Judy is a tutor and also a board member. She has worked on several committees and been very helpful with the Dessert Party and other events. She was also instrumental in the publication of our Annual Report.
A lovely bunch of door prizes including pumpkins, mums, travel mugs, pens, etc, were given out to all our attendees.
Congratulations to our award winners!
~Anna Bragdon
LV-A Pursues National Accreditation
Almost since the day Literacy Volunteers of Greater Augusta opened its doors for business more than thirty-five years ago, the organization has been fully accredited by the national associations with which it is affiliated. Two national organizations, Literacy Volunteers and Laubach, served adult learners for many years and LVA was a member in good standing with both, but being “Accredited” means much more. Only one in four affiliates reaches that level of recognition.
Nearly five years ago, LVA began its last accreditation adventure. The resulting two year effort saw the LVA Board of Directors focusing on strategic planning and other aspects of the organization’s operation. LVA earned full accreditation in 2003, at the same time the two national literacy organizations chose to combine forces to form ProLiteracy America. This new entity recognized LVA’s efforts and awarded it accreditation until April, 2006. The accreditation process has begun anew.
ProLiteracy America has new accreditation standards that are organized in three areas: Student-centered Services, Tutor/Instructor Services, and Organization Management. The Board of Directors launched its latest accreditation adventure at the Board Retreat in July. LVA must submit its completed application in February, 2006 and prepare for a spring visit from an accreditation team. The Board identified student recruitment and support as special areas of focus, as well as exploring how better to manage volunteer efforts and linking to other community organizations.
New national tutor trainer certification requirements that take effect in January will require revision of LVA procedures in that area as well. The Board will take up that topic at its December meeting. Members who are interested in this process are encouraged to attend the session or contact Bob McIntire, the Board member directing the accreditation effort.
~Bob McIntire
All of us at Literacy Volunteers of Greater Augusta extend a very special Thank You to The United Way of Kennebec Valley. Without their support, we simply could not fulfill our mission. |
Announcements. . .
LOOKING FOR THAT SPECIAL GIFT FOR THAT HARD TO BUY FOR PERSON?
How about a donation in their name to Literacy Volunteers of Greater Augusta? Talk about a gift that keeps on giving – your donation will help LVA train tutors to assist adults in Southern Kennebec County who need help with their reading skills. Those adults will in turn be better equipped for the work force, raising their families, and every day life. Call Gail Dyer at 626-3440 for information on how you can send the perfect gift!
LITERACY VOLUNTEERS OF GREATER AUGUSTA will be providing gift wrapping for your items purchased at Barnes and Noble Booksellers on the following dates: Dec. 15th 1 – 5PM, Dec. 17th 9AM – 1PM, Dec. 20th 9AM – 1PM, Dec. 22nd 5 – 9PM. Let LVA lighten your holiday load a little with beautiful holiday wrapping! Donations will be accepted.