Tuesday, December 29, 2020

Oceanside Library ▬ Literacy Program Helping Adult Learners Fulfill Lifelong Dreams

Literacy Program In Oceanside Helping Adult Learners Fulfill Lifelong Dreams

Oceanside READS 
10 News: 12.28.2020 by Virginia Cha

It can be easy to take the ability to read for granted, but there's nothing easy about admitting you can't read, especially for adults. Just ask Gary Swimpson.

"I have a 7-year-old grandson that can read better than me," he says, "it hurts. I'm 61 years old, I'm supposed to be reading to him, but I can't let that get me down. I have to keep pushing forward."

Pushing forward is Gary's mantra. He exudes positivity, but it wasn't always that way.

"As far as my background, where I come from, 'the hood' and all that, you know I made a lot of bad choices coming up and so I'm trying to do the right thing in life for the first time in my life."

He says the hardest part of his journey has been having the strength to continue pushing himself to do it.

"When you never read growing up and now you're in your fifties or sixties and you try it, it's a challenge."

When Gary moved from Los Angeles to Oceanside, he decided it was time for a fresh start, beginning about a year and a half ago with the Oceanside READS Learning Center.

Chelsea Genack Eggli, the literacy coordinator for Oceanside Public Library, said, "It takes a lot of courage and it takes a lot of strength to go back to school when somebody is older in life," she says.  WATCH 02:30


For More Information
call 760-435-5680 or email  READS@oceansideca.org
Become a Tutor
Click here to learn more about how to become a literacy tutor.


Readability Consensus
Based on 7 readability formulas:
Grade Level: 7
Reading Level: fairly easy to read.
Reader's Age: 11-13 yrs. old
(Sixth and Seventh graders)


Wednesday, December 23, 2020

Los Angeles Public Library ▬ Summer Reading Poetry Series

Summer Reading Poetry Series

READ
Newsletter
 
READ: Fall 2020

A newsletter written by the adult learners and tutors in Adult Literacy Services

For many learners, the Summer Reading Challenge poetry series was their first time learning about, writing, and reading poetry. Through the four-week course, their poetic language grew, and along with it their confidence in expressing themselves poetically. Even conversations became a perfect place to “speak in poetry.” As Laurie Lew, the poetry class teacher, puts it, “The great discovery for me in teaching this class is how naturally we all use the language of metaphor.”

Perhaps this was why our learners connected with each other and the class from the beginning. As English language learners, they were all discovering how to express themselves in an unfamiliar language – one notorious for its complex rules. Perhaps the freedom which poetry allows the poet gave each of our participants the chance to express themselves, gracefully and thoughtfully, without having to worry about those rules. The poetic voice was in them already. All they needed was the freedom Laurie provided and a space to comfortably share their thoughts and feelings.

Student Poems

Super Moon and Grandson

Found super moon, On Venice street.
On the way home from work.
In Autumn night.
Staring, following bright yellow moon,
Slowing down wheels & handle under neon.
Let Moon Walk in my yard.
«Good Night to the moon on the tree top of lemon. »
Closing wooden gate with sleepy hand.
Opening the mail from daughter.
Hi from universe heard.
Holding breath, Staring ultrasound.
Waving tiny fingers, Praying curved posture.
Jumping heart with joy. Thinking round forehead.
Found super moon, On my daughter.
On the way from journey.
At the Autumn of life.
-By Donna Kim

READ MORE ➤➤

 

Teaching adults to read and write would not be possible without volunteers just like you. No prior teaching experience is required. We provide free introductory online training and follow up support and training. Our goal is to help you succeed and provide an amazing volunteer experience for every volunteer.

We have several different volunteer positions available, with different responsibilities and time commitments. You can take a look at our opportunities and begin the application process below:


For more information, call (213) 228-7037
or find the Literacy Center closest to you

 

Readability Consensus
Based on 7 readability formulas:
Grade Level: 7
Reading Level: fairly easy to read.
Reader's Age: 11-13 yrs. old
(Sixth and Seventh graders)


Friday, December 18, 2020

Newport Beach Library ▬ GreatNonprofits: Newport Mesa ProLiteracy Reviews & Ratings

GreatNonprofits: Newport Mesa ProLiteracy Reviews & Ratings

Newport/Mesa ProLiteracy

Newport Literacy: 12.17.2020

What a wonderful way to look back at the year!
Thanks to our fans, we have won a 2020 Top-Rated Award from Great Nonprofits!
Read some of the cool stories that folks shared on the site!

Afsi: 10/01/2020

I enrolled for this program about two and a half years ago as a learner. At first, I felt lonely and separated from the community and people around me but step by step I found myself more involved, more active, and more confident. It happened with the help of selfless people who worked tirelessly, with dedication and obligation to prepare an encouraging ambiance for learners like me. They are wonderful volunteer tutors, instructors, and professional staff.

Pedrojlinaresb: 09/29/2020

I’m writing to share a bit of my personal story and experience at the Literacy Program of the Newport Beach Central Library.

In 2017, I arrived to the US from Venezuela to reunite with my family. Even though I was 62 years old, this was a new beginning for me. My first limitation was that I spoke little English, so I enrolled in some of the Literacy Program classes: News You Can Use, Idioms, Grammar and others of the Newport Beach Central Library.

At the same time i was continuing my studies, so recently i receive my GED Certificate

PMcLaughlin: 09/28/2020

I love being a tutor for the Newport/Mesa ProLiteracy program. I have had the privilege of working with several learners over the last seven years. The students are hard-working, enthusiastic, and dedicated to advancing. Each week the time spent with the learner flies by. We have such a good time. Even doing the lesson by FaceTime has not lessened the joy it brings.  READ MORE ➤➤


Newport/Mesa ProLiteracy

The Mission of Newport/Mesa ProLiteracy is to develop the literacy skills of adults to empower them to achieve greater success in their lives - at home, at work and in the community.

Since its inception in 1986, Newport/Mesa ProLiteracy has offered free, one-on-one tutoring and small group classes in basic literacy, to adults who live or work in the Newport Beach area.  The program is open to adults, over 18 years-of-age, who are either native English speakers with low literacy skills or those who learned English as a second language.

New Learner Orientation - Online

January 13
10:00 am - 11:00 am

For those interested in joining the Newport/Mesa ProLiteracy program as a learner, the first step is to attend one of our quarterly orientations. Pre-registration is required and no one will be admitted without a reservation.

Tutor Orientation and Training

Tutors are required to complete online orientation and attend tutor training. Orientation must be completed before attending the training sessions. Online orientations can be taken at any time.

Please be aware that when you take the Online Tutor Orientation (approximately 20 minutes), you must complete and submit the online application at the end of the orientation in order to be scheduled for one of our Tutor Training sessions.

Online Tutor Training Dates
Wednesday, January 20 & 27
10:00am - 12:30pm
949 . 717 . 3874

 

Readability Consensus
Based on 7 readability formulas:
Grade Level: 8
Reading Level: standard / average.
Reader's Age: 12-14 yrs. old
(Seventh and Eighth graders)


Monday, December 14, 2020

Brawley Library ▬ Library Director Marjo Mello Retires After 33 Years With The City

Brawley Library Director Marjo Mello Retires After 33 Years With The City

Desert Review: 12.10.2020 Katherine Ramos

The Brawley City Council announced the retirement of the long-time, beloved Library Director, Marjo Mello. She will retire after 33 years with the City on December 29, 2020.

Marjo Mello, Brawley Library Director

According to the press release, Mello’s contributions to the City of Brawley have enhanced the lives of many who live in Brawley. Although her accomplishments are too numerous to list, the following are a few highlights.

Mello has acquired grants totaling about $7 million over her 33 years. These include the addition of the children’s wing, a library branch at the Del Rio School, and two remodeling projects of the main library. Her pride and joy has been working with Imperial First Five since 2000 for Literacy And Mobile Book Services project (LAMBS). The 32-foot LAMBS bus travels all over Imperial County presenting pre-literacy story times to daycare centers and preschools. The project earned the California School Boards Association Bell Award for outstanding early childhood education along with Riverside County Office of Education Head Start.

Adult and early learning literacy programs are an integral part of library services at Brawley. Free adult one-on-one tutoring and separate classes for emerging English readers/speakers have been offered.  LISTEN 02:70

Readability Consensus
Based on 7 readability formulas:
Grade Level: 12
Reading Level: difficult to read.
Reader's Age: 17-18 yrs. old
(Twelfth graders)



Thursday, December 10, 2020

Redlands Library ▬ Family Literacy Program Celebrates The Wonders Of Reading

Redlands Family Literacy Program Celebrates The Wonders Of Reading

Family Literacy Program
Redlands Daily Facts: 12.04.2020 by Diane Shimota, Adult Literacy Coord-A.K. Smiley Library

The Family Literacy Program began one year ago at A.K. Smiley Public Library and what a year it has been for all of us! The California State Library provided funding for the Family Literacy Program because research has shown that parents are their children’s first and most important teachers. Family literacy introduces adult learners and their children to the value of reading together and helps parents develop skills to support their children’s education with fun and creative learning activities.

Prior to the library’s closure in March due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Family Literacy Program participants met in-person. Parents and children made new friends and supported each other as they learned new strategies to encourage a love of reading. Family literacy coordinators Joan Prehoda and Renee Kennedy adapted the program to online meetings using Zoom last May. These online meetings provided new and unanticipated opportunities for families to learn. Children as young as age 5 learned how to take Zoom polls online and join breakout rooms.

═════════►
Even though the zoom meetings were successful, families were excited to return to in-person meetings at the A.K. Smiley Public Library where they met outdoors in the Children’s Garden in a socially distanced and safe way. This provided an opportunity for families to connect with one another safely from across the garden.

The Way I Feel
At the November meeting families discussed the concept of emotions and appropriate ways for their children to express those feelings. Families read “The Way I Feel” by Janan Cain and asked the children to use play dough on a face mat to recreate several different feelings.  READ MORE ➤➤



To learn more, join us at a Zoom Tutor Orientation.
Please call the Redlands Adult Literacy Program office
at 909.798.7565, ext. 4138
or email mailto:literacy@akspl.org to sign up for the Orientation.

 

Readability Consensus
Based on 7 readability formulas:
Grade Level: 11
Reading Level: fairly difficult to read.
Reader's Age: 15-17 yrs. old
(Tenth to Eleventh graders)


Sunday, December 6, 2020

Riverside Public Library ▬ Welcome to the Literacy Program

Welcome to the Riverside Public Library’s Literacy Program

Through RPL's Literacy Program, trained volunteer tutors provide one-on-one tutoring to English-speaking adults who want to improve their reading, writing and computer skills.


The Literacy Program is for English speakers. The library does not offer ESL courses.

Interested in becoming a Tutor?

The library is always looking for bright motivated people to serve our community as tutors. Please call (951)826-2238 to get started.

Interested in becoming a student?

Adults can improve their reading, writing and computer skills through our Adult Literacy Program. Adults are carefully matched with trained volunteers and usually meet with their tutors weekly to improve their reading skills. English-speaking adults that read below high-school level should call us at (951)826-2238 or visit our office for more information. We strongly recommend that participants meet weekly with a tutor, and set aside additional time to practice at home.  READ MORE ➤➤

SPC. Jesus S. Duran Eastside Library
4033-C Chicago Ave
Riverside, CA 92507
(951)826-2238

Readability Consensus
Based on 7 readability formulas:
Grade Level: 9
Reading Level: fairly difficult to read.
Reader's Age: 13-15 yrs. old
(Eighth and Ninth graders)