Orange Co Library :: Congratulations: Anita Taillon READ/OC Honoree :: 2015 Spirit of Volunteerism Award!

CONGRATULATIONS TO ANITA TAILLON READ/OC

HONOREE FOR THE 2015 SPIRIT OF VOLUNTEERISM AWARD!

READ Writes: April 2015

The path Anita has taken to becoming READ/OC’s star volunteer for the 2015 Spirit of Volunteerism Award was an unusual one. Most volunteers start out as literacy tutors, but Anita first came to READ/OC in 2006 to assist at a single event, the Annual Family Picnic and Appreciation Celebration.

Since that time, Anita’s dedication to supporting the READ/OC volunteers has steadily grown.  She is now both Vice President and co-Treasurer of the Friends of READ/OC, as well as the Chair of the Friends’ most active committee in charge of recognition activities.  Although she has never been a tutor herself, Anita shows great understanding and enthusiasm in supporting the program, the adult learners, and their tutors.  Her organizational skills and artistic talents have become legendary at the annual Family Picnic and Fall Feast appreciation events.

In addition, she helps ensure the program receives steady material and operational support throughout the year. Anita’s humor, insight, and dedication make her a truly extraordinary volunteer.

On April 14, Anita was honored at the Spirit of Volunteerism awards luncheon for her exceptional volunteer commitment to READ/Orange County and the Friends of READ/OC, as well as her endless enthusiasm, creativity, and dedication for helping other adults and their families grow and thrive through lifelong learning and literacy.

APRIL - A MONTH TO CELEBRATE VOLUNTEERS

We are grateful for each and every READ/OC tutor, adult learner, and the dedicated Friends of READ/OC!  These life-changing literacy services would not be possible without our volunteers: tutors, learners, their family members, along with members of the community, library staff, and staff of other community programs and agencies.  All of them work together to support lifelong learning and encourage adults throughout the county to engage in a learning partnership at home, at work, and within the community.

Many READ/OC volunteers are engaged in several different volunteer efforts in their communities, as well as through their jobs, churches, and other service organizations. With each endeavor, learning, friendships, and a sense of community is shared and celebrated.  If you know someone who is seeking a worthwhile volunteer experience such as yours, encourage them to volunteer with READ/OC and Friends of READ/OC!  If they enjoy reading and learning, tell them about the incredible learning adventures that await them as a tutor/learning partner, as a Friend of READ/OC or as a volunteer at their library. The experience will change lives and communities!

Orange Co Library : : Two READ/OC Learners Honored For Their Writing!

Book & Author Celebration:

Two READ/OC Learners Honored For Their Writing!

READ Writes: April 2015

California State Librarian, Greg Lucas, congratulates READ/OC Learners Karen and Maria for their winning entries in the annual “Writer-to-Writer” competition hosted by the Southern California Library Literacy Network.  Maria and Karen chose books to read with their tutors, Mikelle Fish and Susan Gregory.

Then, with their tutors’ encouragements, each wrote a letter to the author of the book they read.  Then their letters were submitted to the “Writer-to-Writer” competition and were selected by the judging panel to be recognized, along with other learners from Southern California Library Literacy programs.

READ/OC also congratulates all of the READ/OC learners and tutors who participated in this year’s annual “Writer-To-Writer” opportunity. Much appreciation also goes to Friends of READ/OC for their continued support of such encouraging, learning adventures, as “Writer-To-Writer,” to be possible for READ/OC learners and their tutors.

Read Karen's Letter

Hatchet

Read Maria's Letter

Diary of a
Young Girl

Orange Co Library - READ OC :: reading tips or quotes related to reading

For The Love of Reading and Learning!

READ Writes: Feb 2015

We would like to encourage literacy with reading tips or quotes related to reading and the sheer fun, joy, adventure and pleasure of reading and lifelong learning with READ/OC learners, their volunteer tutors, our Friends of READ/OC, our OCPL Branch partners, OC Community Resources and County of Orange colleagues, and community partners throughout Orange County.

Forward your own reading, writing or lifelong learning tips or share a favorite quote to READ/OC so we can encourage each other to read, write and learn! Send by email to readoc@occr.ocgov.com or forward them through library mail to READ/OC at OCPL Headquarters.

Here are a few learning inspirations from writers who love to read to help get you started:

―When things go right, I read. When things go wrong, I read more.

Sara Nelson :: So Many Books, So Little Time: A Year of Passionate Reading

―The more you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.”

Dr. Seuss :: I Can Read With My Eyes Shut

―We read to know we are not alone.”

CS Lewis :: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe

―It is not true we have only one life to live. If we can read, we can live as many lives and as many kinds of lives as we wish.”

SI Hiyakawa :: Language in Thought and Action

―A book is like a garden carried in the pocket.”

Chinese Proverb

“Words are the voice of the heart.”

Confucius

Orange Co Library :: READ/Orange County :: Excellence in Volunteerism Award 2014

Excellence in Volunteerism Award Winner 2014

OC Community Resources

READ/Orange County

Linda Kricfalusi joined READ/Orange County’s (READ/OC) volunteer team in 2005, and over the past nine years, she has served as a literacy tutor, Friends of READ/OC Board Member and general volunteer. READ/OC provides tutoring in basic reading and writing to adult learners throughout Orange County. The Friends of READ/OC is an organization committed to the support of the literacy service of OC Public Libraries, primarily through resource development, public awareness and recognition services for volunteers and learners.

As a Friends of READ/OC Board Member, Linda assumed leadership roles as president, vice president, committee chair and treasurer. Throughout her time with the organization, she consistently stepped forward to lend a helping hand with whatever task or project required attention. One of her most admirable qualities is her knack for sensing what needs to be done, and once she identifies an issue, she quietly addresses the matter without being asked.

Linda’s signature activity has been organizing READ/OC’s largest volunteer recognition event – the Annual Family Picnic and Appreciation Celebration. Under Linda’s exceptional guidance, the picnic has blossomed into a greatly anticipated and well-attended celebration. Each year, a unique theme becomes the event’s centerpiece and is incorporated into every aspect of the program, including elaborate, hand-crafted decorations; specially designed save-the-date cards and invitations; unique set designs; and one-of-kind games. The recognition planning also requires securing donations of awesome door prizes and recruiting a team of dedicated volunteers to work the event.

Orange Co Library - Congratulations to Pat Tonini! READ/OC Honoree for the 2014 Spirit of Volunteerism Award!

Congratulations to Pat Tonini!

READ/OC Honoree for the 2014 Spirit of Volunteerism Award!

READ Writes: Spring 2014

Pat Tonini has been a volunteer with READ/Orange County, since 2008. She started out as a volunteer literacy tutor, helping adult learners reach their reading and writing goals.

As a tutor, she is patient, supportive, and encouraging.  She shared, “My first student was American born, middle-aged and very motivated.  I saw him really blossom more and more each year.  He was brave enough to go on a trip with a friend to Las Vegas because he was finally able to read the signs and know where he was. He had always been too afraid to travel before.”

“My current learner is an ESL student and it is much more difficult because he doesn’t know our culture and idioms.  He works in a gas station and once a customer asked him to “break a hundred‟ and he had no idea what that meant.”  Pat has been able to help both of these learners make great progress towards their learning goals.

As a volunteer, Pat is prompt, reliable, and involved.  Since 2011, she has helped welcome new volunteers into the program through her role as an assistant trainer. At each training, Pat keeps things running smoothly with her efficient attention to setup, check in, and logistics.  She presents training components with an approachable and kindly attitude. Most importantly, she is always ready to share her extensive experience with new volunteers.  Over the years, Pat has shown herself to be a true asset to the cause of adult literacy in Orange County!

Thank you, Pat, for your commitment of supporting lifelong learning and literacy with READ/OC.

Orange Co Library - Reading the Holidays

HOLIDAY TIME IS FUN FAMILY LEARNING TIME!

Reading the Holidays

READ Writes Newsletter: 12.2013

This time of year is great for families learning together! Here are a few ideas to consider for the entire family to celebrate reading and lifelong learning.

Read and write family recipes for holiday meals and treats, and then share with family and friends.

Read the holiday greetings your family receives in the mail (and write holiday greetings to mail or email to friends and family.  Even the younger members of your family can help with names on gift tags and add their special artistic touches!)

Read about holiday traditions and write a family holiday story about yours.

If books are among gifts you receive, make time to read some to one another or together as a family.

Write and send holiday and thank you messages to family and friends.

Orange Co Library - Outstanding Librarian in Support of Literacy 2013 - Patricia Noa Regional Services Manager, Orange County Public Library

OUTSTANDING LIBRARIAN
IN SUPPORT OF LITERACY AWARD
2013 Award Winner: Patricia Noa
Regional Services Manager, Orange County Public Library


Kudos to OCPL Regional Manager, Trish Noa!
California Library Association‘s 2013 Outstanding Librarian in Support of Literacy
READ Writes: October 2013

For Trish Noa, OCPL Central Regional Manager, libraries and literacy are inseparable!  She demonstrates her passion for literacy by consistently encouraging OCPL staff to promote and support adult and family literacy.  As Branch Manager at Irvine Heritage Park Library, she often offered her own office for tutor/learner pairs to meet, trained as a READ/OC tutor, and led a small group of READ/OC learners.

Trish continues to work closely with the READ/OC team as liaison between the literacy program and libraries.  She attends READ/OC meetings and partners with the READ/OC team to offer special workshops and programs at branches, such as the USCIS resources and workshops.  She is always on the lookout for ways to support adult and family literacy efforts in libraries and in the community.  She offers valuable advice, suggests untapped resources, and provides constructive insights.  While at Irvine Heritage Park Regional Library, she brought the community into the library and took the library out into the community.  When Trish learned of learners’ long wait for tutors, she worked with READ/OC to make literacy a priority at her branch.  She became a READ/OC tutor and continues to address specific community needs, such as encouraging branches to create literacy displays to recruit more tutors in response to a growing waiting list of adult learners.

READ/OC congratulates Trish as CLA’s Outstanding Librarian in Support of Literacy, and very much appreciates the fantastic commitment to literacy and outstanding support of READ/OC by each and every OCPL team member!

This award, established in 2003 (Literacy Interest Group), recognizes and honors a librarian who has gone above and beyond the call of duty to support literacy.

Past Winners

2012: Christy Aguirre, Sacramento Public Library
2011: Patricia Lorenzo, Santa Clara County Library District
2010: Anne Cain, Contra Costa County Library
2009: Derek Wolfgram, Santa Clara County Library
2008: Jean Hofacket, Alameda County Library
2007: Carol Starr, Marin County Free Library
2006: John M. Adams, Orange County Public Library
2005: Sofia Bellos, Oxnard Public Library
2004: Leslie McGinnis Rodd, Oakland Public Library
2003: Chuck Aston, Redwood City Public Library

Orange Co Library - Celebrating Success and Literacy at the READ/OC: Annual Family Picnic

Celebrating Success and Literacy at the READ/OC: Annual Family Picnic and Appreciation Celebration
READ WRITES: July 2011

The true measure of this program’s success is our learners’ progress toward their individual goals. Working tirelessly in their local libraries, community locations, and on their own time, our tutors and learners take innumerable small steps toward those goals. Together, those small individual steps add up to a huge impact in our community. We would like to share some numbers with you to show how much you are achieving collectively.

This year, READ/OC worked with 436 tutors to help 640 individual learners improve their basic reading, writing, and English skills. This year alone, we trained 108 new tutors and assessed 299 new learners. Our tutors and learners recorded 29,885 hours of tutoring tailored to each learner’s individual goals and needs. There are more small groups than ever working together this year to address specific areas of concern, including job skills, financial literacy, computer skills, parent-to-school relationships, citizenship, and English language. Eighty learners worked with 13 tutors in small group settings this past year.

In family literacy efforts, we reached 1,528 families through 93 Family Reading Times, 25 Parent Workshops, and 10 Special Family Literacy Events, to help encourage adults and children to read together and become partners in lifelong learning. We have given away over 1,425 books to children and adults to help our learners build their personal libraries.

Our READ Jr. program continues to grow, with 16 tutors and 18 learner families helping to foster a new generation of academic success and volunteer spirit.
Many people contributed to these accomplishments, including members of Friends of READ/Orange County (FROC), volunteer tutors, our adult learners and their families, OC Public Libraries and OC Community Resources staff, and community partners. We thank the many dedicated individuals who supported these efforts. Congratulations to all of you for those thousands of small steps toward a more literate Orange County! Together, we have made significant accomplishments this past year.

Outstanding Tutor Award: Richard Scott; Bil and Anne Aulenbach
Outstanding Learner Award: Ivan Velev; Hun Lien Lau Ambassadors of Family Literacy Award: Sang Do Xuan; Ellen Ly
Spirit of Volunteerism Award: Tutor Richard Scott
READ MORE !

Orange Co Library - Learner’s Persistence Pays Off

SCLLN Library Literacy News . . .
Learner’s Persistence Pays Off
Read Writes: June 2011

Learners often seek help for improving their reading and writing skills because they are motivated by an immediate challenge before them, such as helping a child with school work or getting a better job. Others are focused on a strong desire to achieve a long term, often lifelong, desire. Current needs or a journey to reach a lifelong desire, immediate successes toward a goal helps learners make connections to other learning opportunities.

Samia came to READ/OC nearly 12 years ago with the immediate need to help her children with school work, return to school herself to get a better job, and eventually operate her own business. Samia dreamed of receiving her certification in the nursing field and did not let changes of tutors and challenges at work deter her from her plans.

A few tutors came and went throughout Samia’s journey. Still Samia persisted in her efforts toward her goal. In January 2007, she began working with a new tutor on the Wilson Reading System to help her better understand English language skills and improve her grammar, writing, and speaking skills. At first, she wasn’t too sure about working through this in-depth reading system, but her tutor encouraged her to try it for a bit longer.

In December 2009, Samia accomplished what few learners do, successfully completing all levels of the Wilson program. Samia then persisted on her own toward her dream. She began studying at Cypress College while still working, helping her daughters with homework and participating at their school. Last month, Samia called READ/OC with good news to share. She had, at last, passed her exams to earn her certification in nursing! Samia has worked long and hard to achieve her goals and her persistence has paid off.

With her CNA certification come more opportunities to pursue her dreams. Success is contagious. Samia continues with her nursing studies while encouraging others toward lifelong learning. Regardless of our own learning and skill challenges, we can all be encouraged by Samia’s efforts and persistence for continued growth, lifelonglearning and then be driven by the opportunities that will follow each success.

Orange Co Library - Tutor Spotlight: Cherlyn Moyer

Tutor Spotlight: Cherlyn Moyer
Read Writes: May 2011

In early 2006 at the end of a parent workshop presented by READ/OC at a local Head Start Center, the center’s director, Cherlyn Moyer, approached the workshop presenter and said, “When I retire I want to do what you are doing!” Later that same year, Cherlyn attended READ/OC’s tutor training workshop and became a tutor.

By Spring of 2007, Cherlyn was also helping with Family Reading Times and parent workshops as part of the Families For Literacy component of READ/OC. Cherlyn’s expertise in early childhood education and parenting is a great resource for READ/OC’s Family Literacy component. As new parent workshop topics and resources were developed for the “Early Learning with Families” program, Cherlyn’s background was very helpful. Soon Cherlyn was presenting most of the parent workshops for READ/OC, while continuing to meet with her learner.

After the Early Learning with Families grant concluded, Cherlyn continued as part of READ/OC’s family literacy team, advising and presenting parent workshops to parents at several Head Start Centers and OC Public Libraries. To date, Cherlyn has presented timely and practical information and fun activities for adults and children to become “learning partners” at more than 75 parent workshops on behalf of READ/OC. All the while, still meeting regularly with her adult learner and assisting with other special projects and events with READ/OC.

Cherlyn found an opportunity through READ/OC to share knowledge about early childhood education and her passion of learning and reading. She has helped countless parents and children learn and grow together. At the same time, she continues sharing the joy of lifelong learning and reading with her adult learner and everyone she meets. She is a great ambassador for literacy and READ/OC.

If you share a similar passion for lifelong learning and reading, contact READ/OC about similar opportunities. If you are already a part of the extended READ/OC family and know someone else who shares a similar passion for literacy, tell them about READ/OC. Give them this newsletter, our phone number or the READ/OC website address, and encourage them to get involved.

Orange Co Library - Profile: READ Jr. Tutor Vyvy Pham

Profile: READ Jr. Tutor Vyvy Pham
Read Writes: Feb/Mar 2011

You have often heard us talking in recent years about READ Jr, the new program designed to help our learners with grade school aged children. In this program, teen tutors work with adult learners and their children aged 6-12 years old to help them learn together as a family. The children get direct help with their reading and writing skills, while the parents learn how to better support their children in school. The program has generated a lot of excitement, and we are always looking for new tutors and learner families to help it take off! Here are the words of Vyvy Pham, one of our original READ Jr. tutors:

I first heard of this program through Carol Tsai during the summer going into my junior year. Right before the summer started, I was told by my guidance counselor that I needed community service to make my transcript look better, so I applied as a volunteer for the Friends of the Library Bookstore. Carol Tsai, the volunteer coordinator at the time, gave me my weekly shift at the bookstore for the summer. When I met her for the first time, I asked her if she knew of another way to earn even more community service hours on top of the library shifts. She then told me about how she was trying to get a program to start and that I should attend the first meeting. READ MORE !

Orange Co Library - Tutor Profile: Frizti Goldberg

Tutor Profile: Frizti Goldberg
READ/OC Newsletter: Jan 2011

After watching the 1989 film, Stanley and Iris, starring Robert DeNiro and Jane Fonda, about a volunteer literacy tutor helping a man learn to read better and change his life, Fritzi Goldberg decided that helping another adult to read better was something she had to do.

Even though work and personal commitments dominated Fritzi’s time, she did not let go of her desire to help another adult change their life by learning to read and write better. Years later in 2005, she joined the READ/OC team as a volunteer tutor. Soon after, she enhanced her skills and completed training for the Wilson Reading System® to use in her tutoring sessions with her learner. Her commitment to literacy and READ/OC continued to increase and Fritzi enrolled in the assessor training and then trainers’ training. She has been a member of READ/OC’s training team since 2008, and is now the lead trainer for READ/OC.

6 6 6 6 6 6 6

If you are inspired by Fritzi’s story, and want to help another adult change their life while changing your own, call READ/OC at 714-566-3070. And remember to share your READ/OC story with a friend who might want to do the same! READ MORE !

Orange Co Library - READ/Orange County - Tutors Write

READ/Orange County
Read Writes Newsletter: August 2010

Tutors Write

Some tutors write journals with their learners. Some tutors write journals for themselves. Some tutors really enjoy writing and share their enthusiasm with their learners. Some tutors dream about writing their own books, some have begun writing that book, AND some READ/OC tutors have accomplished that goal! Then, there are some tutors who are a bit uneasy about writing.

And there are a few things about writing that all tutors share and hopefully do not avoid:

• Writing lesson plans for their tutoring sessions
• Incorporating writing into tutoring lessons and learner’s goals
• Modeling writing during tutoring sessions
• Encouraging learners to write
• And, of course, writing (and submitting) monthly reports about tutoring sessions, learners’ goals and progress toward those goals

John Palmer is a tutor who does just that. John commits significant time in planning his weekly lesson plans. Each month he thoughtfully and faithfully prepares monthly reports and even gets them to the READ/OC office by the 5th of each month (often delivering them in person!).

He became a tutor with READ/OC in 2001 and has been a tutor to 5 learners. He always includes writing in his tutoring sessions and says writing helps “preserve what you hear.” When asked about the writing component in his tutoring sessions, John feels writing is a “bridge” to learning and improving reading. “When you read the words you see, you hear them in your mind.” He feels the only way to preserve reading and learning is to write it down, and “then when you read what you’ve written, you can hear the words in your head and remember.” Continued on page 4

Learners Write Too

Yun Wu came to READ/OC to get help with her reading, writing, and speaking skills.

She felt that she needed to improve those skills in order to express herself. After being assessed, Yun learned that she did not need the basic help she was seeking. What she did need was confidence. Yun was invited to attend monthly learner meetings where she would be able to work and converse with other learners who also wanted to improve their skills.

Yun began attending the meetings on a regular basis. It was in those meetings that Yun quickly gained the confidence she needed. Yun was always eager to read aloud or share her thoughts and she began to shine. She motivated and encouraged the other learners to do the same. In 2009, Yun decided to enter Writer to Writer, a writing challenge for adult learners in California Library Literacy Programs.

As required by the contest, Yun had to write a letter to the author of a book that inspired her. The book she chose was The Amazing Results of Positive Thinking, by Norman Vincent Peale. Yun was chosen as a finalist and her letter to Norman Vincent Peale was published in 2009 Writer to Writer: Letters of the Award Winners and Finalist publication. Read Yun’s letter on page 4.

Orange Co Library - Bill Campbell's Third District Report - READ Orange County

Bill Campbell's Third District Report
November 20, 2009 Volume: 7 Issue: 43

OC Public Library Honors Orange Volunteer- OC Community Resources Director Steve Franks presented a proclamation to celebrate the 100th birthday of Antonio Correa, a resident of Orange and an OC Public Libraries volunteer.

Since joining the READ/Orange County volunteers program in April of 1996 at the age 87, Antonio "Tone" Correa has contributed more than 2,700 service hours. He has tutored more than 21 adult learners, often taking on the added responsibility of working with 3 or 4 students simultaneously. To read more about Tone’s contributions, please click here. For pictures, click here.

Adult Literacy Awareness Month - Orange Co Library

Adult Literacy Awareness Month

September Spotlight

on SCLLN Literacy Programs

Orange County Public Libraries

READ/Orange County provides tutoring in reading, writing and English to individuals. Lessons are individualized, confidential, and highly goal-oriented. Tutors structure the learning process around the goals of the learner, using materials that relate to those goals.

In support of the Core Program, READ/Orange County offers three other programs: Families For Literacy (FFL), Working For Inmate Literacy Now (WIN) and English Language and English Literacy Civics Education (EL -Civics).

Families for Literacy

READ/Orange County's Families for Literacy (FFL) component works with parents and children to break the intergenerational cycle of illiteracy. We promote literacy skills in the parents and reading readiness in children under five. FFL tutors are specifically trained in methods of incorporating children's material into the tutoring sessions as well as assisting parents in choosing appropriate reading materials for their children.

Working for Inmate Literacy Now

READ/Orange County's Working for Inmate Literacy Now (WIN) component provides basic literacy services to interested inmates in the Orange County jail system. Trained tutors go into the five Orange County jail facilities to provide these services. Due to rapid inmate turnover, the goal of WIN is to:

Demonstrate to the inmate the practical benefits of improving their literacy skills; Demonstrate to the inmate their capability in improving literacy skills; and

Encourage learners' education upon transfer or release from the jail system.

E.L. Civics

EL- Civics Education provides opportunities for adult non-native speakers to become better parents, workers, and community members by gaining language and literacy skills. The curriculum includes a variety of topics such as accessing good family health care, nutrition, employment skills, or helping their children succeed in school.

Friends of READ/OC
Newsletter

Orange City Library

Reach Out And Read (ROAR)

Adult volunteers (ages 16+) are needed to read to children! Flexible hours (drop in or schedule in advance) available: days, evenings, weekends, anytime that the library is open. No experience required, you will be trained by library staff to conduct storytimes. Opportunities for assisting with larger children's programs are also available.

Interested volunteers may also choose to help provide tutoring for children grades K-6 in the library's Homework Center. ROAR volunteers can choose to do storytimes, tutoring, or both.

Orange Co Library - Making a WINning Difference to Orange County Inmates

Making a WINning Difference to Orange County Inmates 
READ WRITES Newsletter: June/July 2009

Tutor Spotlight: Sandi Kangas

Most of our tutors meet with their learners at the local library, but not Sandi Kangas. Since she started working with READ/OC in 2005, Sandi has dedicated her time to helping inmates in the Orange County jails improve their reading and writing skills through the WIN (Working for Inmate Literacy Now) program.

Sandi “got the helping bug” as she got older, and decided that since she loved to teach, volunteering with READ/OC would be a great way for her to give back to the community. She liked the idea of working one-on-one with the inmates and giving them a chance to improve their situation. In four years, Sandi has had nearly half a dozen learners in the jails. She has discovered that WIN is a good fit for her because the inmates have to really want to learn in order to qualify for the program. That just makes her want to give them everything she’s got as a tutor.

Although it can sometimes be challenging to work within the security restrictions of the jail tutoring venue, Sandi has found some creative ways to engage her learners. The inmates aren’t allowed to keep books in their cells, so Sandi likes to ask her learners to write a few paragraphs about an imaginative story, then use that narrative as their study guide. She also likes to give them photocopied pages of the GED study manual. Sandi even had one learner who liked to read the dictionary, because that was the only reading material he could have!

Sandi is very enthusiastic about the time she has spent tutoring in the jails, and she would encourage more tutors to contribute their time to the WIN program. Her advice to new tutors would be: don’t be afraid of working in the jails. She has found her inmate learners to be just like learners on the outside, and she has always felt safe and secure working with WIN.

So if you want to help a motivated and eager individual turn their life around through reading, don’t hesitate! There are plenty of inmates waiting for the chance to work with a READ/OC tutor just like Sandi! Contact the READ/OC office for more information about how to be a WIN Tutor.

Orange Co Library - Tutor Spotlight: Al Corson

Tutor Spotlight: Al Corson
READ WRITES: April 2009

By her own admission, Al Corson has been tutoring “since dirt.” She began tutoring because she wanted to do something meaningful with her retirement. “I think everybody has a responsibility to give back and share with the community,” she says, “and besides, you can only travel so much”.

Since she came to READ/OC in 2003, Al has worked with over 50 learners, both as individuals and in small groups. She is currently working with a group of ESL learners in Midway City as well as a conversation class in Irvine.

Over the years, Al has also volunteered in the READ/OC office, helped with special events, and offered her experience to other tutors interested in teaching a conversation class. She is always willing to help out wherever she is most needed. If she were to offer advice to new tutors, Al would tell them to be flexible and remember that they will learn as much as their learners do from the tutoring experience.

“Go with the flow, and don’t be afraid to be creative. Sometimes what you plan isn’t what you do,” she says.

Al certainly follows that philosophy when working with her learners. She feels that ESL learning should be hands on and draw from the learners’ own experiences. Some of her creative lesson plans include: asking her learners to bring pictures of their families to talk about in class or tell about holidays in their homeland, playing games like Uno or Bingo, putting Post-It notes in English on objects in the classroom, and using physical objects such as origami, plastic food, place settings, and play money to engage all the senses to introduce vocabulary.

Al has been honored with numerous awards over the years, including most recently the President’s Volunteer Service Award in 2008. She hopes to continue to help her learners adapt to life in the US for many years to come !

Orange Co Library - Proud Moments – READ/OC

Proud Moments – READ/OC
Read Writes: Jan 2009 Newsletter

Our dedicated tutors and learners continue to make great strides in their learning, even during this busy holiday season! Here are just a few of their achievements in December, taken from monthly reports:

~ Drove to Fullerton Court by himself reading a homemade map that the tutor and learner wrote together.
~ Learner’s application for citizenship was accepted with no errors.
~ Learner wrote a letter in English to his parents in Egypt inviting them to visit him in the US.
~ Learner wrote a letter to her tutor on her release from jail:
“Dear Teacher, Thank you for showing me that I can read more than I thought. Your classes taught me so much. I enjoyed every class and will miss you teaching me. It was a pleasure having you teach me so much.”
~ Over the holidays, one learner worked on his goal of learning to write letters by sending a Christmas greeting to his tutor over email.
~ Learner completed her application to attend community college.
~ Learner successfully completed his unemployment paperwork ahead of schedule and was granted a phone interview to better state his case.
~ One WIN learner was able to get back into GED classes because of his work with his tutor. He expects to be testing this month.
~ A learner who is enrolled in college courses started to review and proofread her papers for school using the techniques practiced with her tutor. The teacher of her class noticed her improvement.
~ Learner gained the confidence to start speaking with her children in English.

Orange Co Library - A Warm Goodbye from Marcia Tungate

A Warm Goodbye from Marcia Tungate
Read Writes Newsletter: Dec 08/Jan 09

Wasn’t I the lucky one?

For the past 26 years I have had the privilege to work with some of the most courageous, dedicated, committed, and fun people that ever gathered for a purpose. I am talking about all of you.

You, the learners, who faced your difficulties and stepped forward to improve your lives, and the lives of your families, by improving your literacy skills. You have allowed the rest of us an opportunity to share in your successes by your bravery, your hard work, and your (sometimes) stubborn commitment. You teach all of us how to face our fears and step into a new way of living. I thank you so much.

You, the tutors, who sat through the long days of intense training so you could make the tutoring experience a joyful and successful one for the learners. You have been willing to work in the branches, restaurants, coffee shops, parks, and jails to serve your community. I know you each feel such a bond with your learners, and would face down dragons if necessary.

READ OC

Orange Co Library - Orange residents named literacy tutors

Orange residents named literacy tutors
OC Register: Nov 13, 2008 by Bob West

Two Orange residents, Melvina Westfall and Carolyn Aguilar, were certified Saturday, Nov. 8 as volunteer literacy tutors for READ/Orange County after completing the required 23-hour training course.

This training has prepared them to teach reading and writing to the one out of four adults that have low or no literacy skills. They join a dedicated corps of volunteer tutors who change the lives of adults through literacy.

Westfall will tutor in the Core program component teaching reading and writing to eager adults.

Aguilar will tutor in the EL Civics program to help provide opportunities for adult non-native speakers to become better parents, workers, and community members by gaining language and literacy skills.

Marcia Tungate, READ/OC Literacy Programs administrator, said, "It is the commitment of our wonderful tutors that makes our literacy program great. When we teach someone to read, we start a ripple that affects the lives of the individual, the family, and the community. Everything we do is impacted by the ability to read."

READ/Orange County offers a comprehensive training program for adults who want to become a tutor. No prior teaching experience is necessary.

Information: READ/Orange County or 714-566-3070.