San Diego Co Library - Pure Persistence

Pure Persistence
Learn Alive Newsletter: June/July 2008

When I came to America, I had some goals in my mind. To have a job, buy a home, have my family. And one of the most important goals was to read and write English, to communicate to anybody and not feel embarrassed.

I think I could do much better in my job and have a better opportunity to go a step up. My wife told me that there is a program in the library where they teach one on one.

It’s been almost 35 years that I’ve lived in America. I have gotten some of my goals. I have a great family, a great job. My job is almost my second home. I spend half of my life or more working there.

After these many years, I can read a magazine or newspaper, but I still have a problem with the writing. This is part of my life, some of the things I remember. I remember when I was a child. I liked to play with my bike. When my bike broke, I fixed it or asked my friends to do it for me. One time I built a bike from parts that I borrowed from my friends. When you have a problem in life, there is always a solution. Never stop in life for what you want.

I’m from Guatemala. I lived in Mexico City for almost three years. After that time, I moved to the USA. When I came to the USA, I was 17 years old. I had lots of ideas in my mind. I started working in landscaping and restaurants. I like restaurants because I like to cook and I like the environment. I have been working for The Fish Market almost 27 years. I meet lots of people.
Adolfo Salazar

SCLLN Tutor Workshop Calendar: August 2008

SCLLN Literacy Library Calendar - August 2008

- visit SCLLN for more information -

- and for local, State and National events -

Aug 2 @ TBA
Tutor Training
San Luis Obispo City-County Library
1264 Higuera S: 102

Aug 4 @ 10 am
Tutor Training
Santa Barbara Public Library
40 E Anapamu

Aug 9 @ 10 am
Tutor Training
San Diego County Library
El Cajon Branch

Aug 11 @ 5:30 pm
Tutor Training
San Diego County Library
Vista Branch

Aug 12 @ 5 pm
Tutor Training
Ventura County Library
Camarillo Library
4101 Las Posas Rd
Camarillo CA 93010

Aug 12 @ 6 pm
Tutor Training
Huntington Beach Library
7111 Talbert
Huntington Beach CA

Aug 12 @ 6 pm
Tutor Training
Monrovia Public Library
843 East Olive Avenue
Monrovia

Aug 18 @ 6 pm
Tutor Orientation
Newport Beach Public Library
1000 Avacado
Newport Beach CA 92660

Celebrating Adult Literacy — Carolyn Livengood column: Helping wounded warriors

Celebrating Adult Literacy —Carolyn Livengood column: Helping wounded warriors
San Mateo County Times: June 19, 2008

Susan Wooldridge, author of "Poemcrazy: Freeing Your Life with Words," was keynote speaker at a celebration dinner, "You Are an Essential Piece," hosted by Project Read-North San Mateo County at the South San Francisco Municipal Services Building.

Donna Jones, an adult learner, and Patricia Rosado, a member of AmeriCorps and a past adult learner, emceed the event, which was held to recognize the literacy successes of its learners and tutors. AmeriCorps is a national volunteer program that allows people of all ages and backgrounds to devote a year of service in areas of education, public safety, human needs and the environment.

Wooldridge, a poet and teacher with California Poets in the Schools who works with adults and at-risk youth, talked about how words change and how they can have different meanings in different languages.

"My workshops are designed to make people feel excited about writing (and teaching) poetry," said Wooldridge, who showed a notebook she keeps in which she gathers words and even pictures. "I encourage everyone to play with language."

Learners Marcela Sauceda and Juliana Amaral and their tutor, Joel Tenorio; learner Maristel Llamanzares and her tutor, Rita Barichievich; and learner Ana Flores and Tom McCaffrey (who stood in for his wife, Laura, a tutor) all shared stories of how Project Read improved their lives and the friendships they have made.

Llamanzares, 22, was originally from the Philippines and now lives in Daly City. She came to Project Read in 2004 when she was working as a cashier at Manila Market in South City. She could not read or write at the most basic literacy level. "My first goals with my tutor, Rita, were to obtain my citizenship and driver's license, which I accomplished," Llamanzares said. "Next I wanted to vote and have been carefully following the current presidential campaigns."

Llamanzares is now in a Manila Market management position and attends Skyline College to keep improving her reading and writing skills while still working with her tutor.

Holly Fulghum-Nutters of Project Read presented certificates to 40 learners and their tutors. She was joined by South San Francisco Mayor Pedro Gonzalez and Main Library Director Valerie Sommer in welcoming the 120 people who attended the event.

Watch for more details about Project Read's annual Trivia Challenge, its major fundraiser, which will be Nov. 7 at the South City Conference Center.

To learn more about Project Read, call Holly Fulghum-Nutters at 650-829-3871.