Newport Beach Library :: Meet Cherall Weiss, Literacy Coordinator

@NMProLiteracy

Meet Cherall Weiss, Literacy Coordinator

Stu News Newport: 9.13.2019 by Amy Senk

Each year, Newport Beach celebrates Literacy Day with a party that honors its learners and celebrates their native cultures with a potluck feast, speeches, awards and more at an event held at the Central Library. (This year’s event will take place September 12.) But literacy in Newport Beach is a year-round concern, and since 1986, Newport/Mesa ProLiteracy has offered free tutoring to adults who live or work in the Newport Beach area. I caught up with Newport/Mesa ProLiteracy’s Literacy Coordinator Cherall Weiss to find out more.

Q: Newport/Mesa ProLiteracy began in 1986 and offers free tutoring, one-on-one and in small classes. Can you share more information about the history and organization of the program?

A: The program started in the home of Carol Hazelwood, a local woman with a good heart and passion for literacy. Carol struggled to keep the program alive, but in 1988 she heard about a literacy grant from the state and applied for it with the support of the Newport Beach library director. After winning the grant, the program was relaunched and gradually gained traction. From this shaky beginning, we have continued to grow and currently work with around 200 learners each year.

Q: How many learners have come through the program over the years, and can you tell me about a specific learner’s story that was inspirational to you?

A: We don’t have early records, so the total numbers of people that have come through the program are hard to calculate. As mentioned before, for the past five years or so, we have been seeing approximately 200 people per year.  READ MORE >>

Next Tutor Training

Oct 17 & 24

9:15 am – 12:30 pm

Online Orientation

must be completed before attending Training

Reservations for this training are required

For more information, please contact

Newport/Mesa ProLiteracy

or call 949-717-3874

Los Angeles Public Library :: Spotlight on Literacy: A Dream Come True

Spotlight on Literacy: A Dream Come True

LAPL Blog: 7.31.2019 by Luisa Latham, Adult Literacy Tutor

Randall Hinson, Librarian, Office of Education and Literacy

Last July, three students began a journey toward literacy via Leamos, a computer-based literacy program, at the Pacoima Branch Library. Leamos teaches Spanish speaking adults, who may not have had the opportunity for formative education, to begin working toward competency in reading and writing in their native language. It also equips them with basic computer skills. It can serve as a pre-ESL(English as a Second Language) course as well.

Nine months after beginning their study, two dedicated and hardworking students have stayed the course and continued their journey toward literacy. Ana Teresa Batrez and Silvia Barahona Garcia come to the library each Monday for two hours to reinforce and extend their reading and writing skills. To date, they have succeeded in reading a wide variety of texts including children’s books, newspaper headlines, employment applications, food and prescription labels, crossword puzzle clues, horoscopes, riddles and the reflections of previous students who completed Leamos.  READ MORE >>

Literacy Library Jobs :: San Mateo :: Long Beach :: Salinas :: Huntington Beach

Literacy Library Jobs – California

Community Program Specialist I/II – FT

San Mateo County Library

maintain current and develop new programs that support adult learners, with a particular focus on critical skills and knowledge, including but not limited to English as a Second Language (ESL), literacy, citizenship and workforce development

DEADLINE: SEP 30

Learning Guide – PT

Long Beach Library

assist students with homework assignments and improving educational skills; assist patrons with job search skills and resume preparation; etc

DEADLINE:  1st 100 Applicants

Literacy Clerk – Temporary

Salinas Library

support student and family literacy programs

DEALINE: OPEN

Library Literacy Aide – PT

Huntington Beach Library

staffs the literacy office & assists literacy volunteers and adult literacy students

DEADLINE:  OPEN

BayNet Library and Information Network

CLA Career Center

CalOpps

Library Jobs in California

San Diego Public Library :: READ/San Diego’s 30 year Legacy of Providing Literacy Services

READ/ San Diego

READ/San Diego’s 30 year Legacy of Providing Literacy Services

WS Radio: 3.12.2019

All segments of this broadcast were dedicated to an interview with the San Diego Public Library's literacy program administrator, Val Hardie, and literacy student, Amelia Sandoval. Val shared her background and perspective on over 30 years of providing literacy services for the City of San Diego, the San Diego Public Library, and READ/ San Diego.  LISTEN 57:50

Santa Monica Library :: Literacy Education for Adults & Families via Seascape

Literacy Education for Adults & Families

Seascape: Sep/Oct 2019 pp 4-5

The Library’s Literacy Education for Adults & Families (LEAF) program includes literacy services for all ages. For more information on any of these programs call the Main Library at 310.458.8600, stop by any Library location.

ADULT LITERACY TUTORING

Volunteer literacy tutors work one-on-one with adult learners in a library setting. Tutors meet with learners once or twice per week to work on learning goals in one- to two-hour sessions.

CAREER ONLINE HIGH SCHOOL

The Library offers scholarships for this program, which provides adult students the opportunity to earn an accredited high school diploma and a career certificate.

COMPUTER CLASSES

The Library offers free beginner, intermediate and advanced instruction on various topics.

CONNECTED FAMILIES EVENTS

Play sessions with high-tech and low-tech activities to promote computational thinking, spark creativity and encourage family togetherness. For families with children ages 4-12.

DIGITAL LITERACY FOR YOUTH

A variety of workshops that help young people develop digital skills. Tech & U (ages 8-12) focuses on being safe and ethical online. CoderDojo (ages 8-17) teaches kids and teens computer science and coding. 3D Printing Workshops (ages 8 and up) is where kids and teens learn to create designs for 3D printing.

DIGITAL LITERACY FOR ADULTS

A variety of programs that provide adults the opportunity to develop digital skills. Programs include Appy Hour, a hands-on assistance with using a personal computing device; Computer Skills Classes, is instruction on a variety of computer topics; HTML/CSS, are workshops on how to use HTML/ CSS to create a website; Open Labs, are informal sessions for exploring virtual reality, 3D printing and other emerging technologies.

ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE (ESL) CLASSES

An ongoing series taught by SMMUSD Adult Education Center instructors. Students must be 18 years or older. Enrollment is through the Adult Education Center. Contact Olga Saucedo at 310.664.6222, ext. 76203 to enroll.

L.E.A.R.N. HOMEWORK HELP

Free homework help and reading comprehension skills-building for students grades 1 through 8. Volunteers work with students one-on-one for 20-minute sessions. L.E.A.R.N. is a drop-in program. No registration required.

READING-2-GO PROGRAM

For families with children ages 1-4. Participants receive a rotation of themed kits containing books, music and educational toys, training with a librarian, and weekly tips on making reading easy and fun texted to your smartphone. Kits are available in English, Spanish and Amharic.

WALK-IN TUTORING

Friendly volunteer tutors provide help with basic reading and writing, as well as computer skills such as using the internet, opening and using an email account and filling out online forms or applications.  READ MORE >>

Newport Beach Library :: Check Out This Review @GreatNonProfits

Check Out This Review Of Newport Mesa Proliteracy

Great NonProfits: 8.21.2019

Newport Mesa Proliteracy touches people's lives in the Newport Beach and Costa Mesa communities every day, offering adult literacy services and on-line GED tutoring. In the 15 years I have been involved as a volunteer with the program, I have seen our learners proud smiles as they reach personal milestones -- GED or higher degrees, new jobs, drivers' licenses, or earning US citizenship. My personal skills and appreciation of the diversity of our community have also grown with my involvement.  READ MORE >>

Next Tutor Workshop

Oct 17 & 24

5:30pm – 8:30pm

Reservations for this training are required

Online Orientation 

must be completed before attending Training

For More Information 
please contact literacy@newportbeachca.gov 
or call 949-717-3874

Redlands Library :: Adult Literacy Program Learners Tutors Prepare To Present ‘Seedfolks’

Seedfolks

Adult Literacy Program Learners Tutors Prepare To Present ‘Seedfolks’

Redlands Community News: 8.29.2019

The Redlands Adult Literacy Program selected “Seedfolks” by Paul Fleischman as its community read this year and will celebrate its message by hosting a FREE performance at 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 7, at the Contemporary Club, 173 S. Eureka St., Redlands.

“Seedfolks” is a story about a neighborhood that transforms a vacant lot into a community garden. In the process, neighbors from many different backgrounds get to know each other and form a community of mutual support. “Seedfolks” was selected because it mirrors the community of adult learners and tutors, who come frommany walks of life and countries, but learn from each other and become a community of readers and writers, said Diane Shimota, adult literacy coordinator.

The 40-minute performance will be directed by Teresa Dolan with acting support from Eric Gruenler, Kathy Johnson, Carrie and Cash Morgan, James Muro, Nelda Stuck and tutors and learners from the Redlands Adult Literacy Program. For some of the tutors and learners, this will be their first time acting on stage. Adult learners and tutors enjoyed reading Seedfolks and studying the book’s characters, who represent immigrant communities in the United States.

Reflecting on the book, tutor Nancy Reid stated that it is “amazing how the planting of seeds can bring diverse people together who would never have met and become friends.  READ MORE >>

Next Tutor Orientation

September 30th - 6:00 pm

909.798.7565, ext. 4138