Sunday, February 22, 2015

Centro Latino for Literacy - Helping Generations of Latinos Become Bi-Literate

Centro Latino for Literacy Helping Generations of Latinos Become Bi-Literate
Adelante: 1.2015 p12

For the past four and a half years Riddle has served as the president and Chief Executive Officer of Centro Latino for Literacy (Centro Latino), a Los Angeles-based nonprofit. She has a take-no-prisoners attitude when it comes to the programs and services offered through the organization.

“Literacy matters for those in our community looking to move ahead,” said Riddle. “Being able to read, write, and function in our text and technology driven world allows individuals to build upon some of the most basic, yet critical, skills employers require.”

Since its opening in 1991, Centro Latino for Literacy has taught nearly 6,000 non-literate working age adults basic grammar, math, and personal finances.

Researchers at the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development found that a mother’s reading skill is the greatest determinant of her child’s future academic success (Oct 2010).

According to SpanishTranslation.US, reading skills among children of Latino decent [sic] are at an all-time low and that U.S. Hispanic children would significantly benefit from programs that promote literacy readiness prior to entering the school system.

Newly literate parents at Centro Latino now help their children with homework, are no longer embarrassed to speak to their children’s teacher or get involved in their schools.

Core components of Centro’s preliteracy courses are Leamos™ (Let’s Read) Basic, Leamos Grammar, and Listos™ (Ready) Math and Financial Education. These courses meet the CA adult content standards for PreESL and have been used successfully by individuals, adult education programs, libraries, and employee training programs.

LALCC’s Inaugural Non Profit Organization Awards: Nov. 14, 2014 (p4)

Winners Are: Rising Star: Centro Latino for Literacy Centro Latino
teaches Latino immigrants to read and write in Spanish (L1), giving them the essential skills and confidence to participate more fully and independently in society, and uplift themselves and their families into more promising lives for generations to come. As of Oct. 31, 2014 Centro Latino has taught Pre-ESL literacy skills, including basic math, grammar, and financial literacy to 5,614 non-literate youth and adults. In addition, ESL, computer skills and job readiness skills have been taught to 9,682 low-income adults at our 8th Street classrooms through education partners.  READ MORE !

Thursday, February 19, 2015

Writer To Writer Award Ceremony & Brunch :: March 7 2015

Writer To Writer Award Ceremony & Brunch
March 7, 2015 . . . 10:30 AM
Radisson Hotel – Newport Beach


SCLLN is excited to announce the winners and runners-up for the 2014 Writer to Writer Challenge! -Please join other writers, tutors, coordinators and their guests at a wonderful brunch to be held Saturday,March 7, at the Radisson Newport Beach. The winners will read their letters, and winners and runners-up will each receive a cash prize and a certificate. All writers will receive a certificate of participation.

We encourage all coordinators to invite and sponsor all of your writers and their tutors for this special event. The registration fees are an appropriate use of CLLS grant funding and would be an excellent way to recognize our writers and their tutors. Congratulations to all of our letter writers!

Be Inspired by our Learner's Letters
Meet our State Librarian
Enjoy a Delicious Brunch
$25.00 per person ::: Adult Learners - $10.00

Emerging Category :: Winner—PJ R
Goodman’s Five-Star Stories—Travels: 8 Stories from Around the World with Tests to Help You Read and Write by Burton Goodman
Runner-Up—Greg P, National City Library  Rescue-Mania! By Caroline Bingham
Runner-Up—Karen G, READ/OrangeCounty  Hatchet by Gary Paulsen

Beginning Category :: Winner—Maria N
Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank
Runner-Up—Sonia A, Corona Library  Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jamie Ford
Runner-Up—Anon, READ/SanDiego  Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Man by Steve Harvey

Intermediate Category :: Winner—Loretta B
The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein
Runner-Up—Denis D, Newport Beach Library  A World of My Own by Robin Knox-Johnston
Runner-Up— Marnalee L, Newport Beach Library  Latina Magazine by Lauren Michaels

Advanced Category :: Winner—Isis G
The Traveler’s Gift: 7 Decisions that Determine Personal Success by Andy Andrews
Runner-Up—Jai K, Newport Beach Library  My Beloved World by Sonia Sotomayor
Runner-Up—Blanca F Beaumont Library District  Emotional Freedom: Liberate Yourself from Negative Emotions & Transform Your Life by Judith Orloff

We look forward to seeing you on Saturday, March 7th.
Again, Congratulations!
Writer to Writer Chair

For More Info, Call:
Diane Moseley:  714/375-5086
Cherall Weiss:  949/717-3875

SCLLN received a large response—79 entries—and the quality of the letters was amazing! We are so proud of all of the learners who wrote letters. We are also grateful to the coordinators and learner judging panels at Huntington Beach Public Library, Newport Beach Central Public Library, San Diego Public Library and Carlsbad City Library Learning Center for donating their time to judge the letters.

Tuesday, February 17, 2015

Redlands Library : : Adult Literacy Program receives grant for computer workshops

Redlands Adult Literacy Program receives grant for computer workshops
Redlands Daily Facts: 2.07.2015 by Dottie Podolak, Adult Literacy coordinator at the A.K. Smiley Public Library.

Imagine not being able to read and write. Most of us cannot fathom the challenge this would pose in our everyday lives. However, the situation is real.

Right here in our community, there are those who do not have adequate reading and writing skills to write a note to their child’s teacher or read personal medical information. Whatever the reason might be for a particular learner not attaining literacy skills, the Redlands Adult Literacy Program exists to meet this critical need.

With a dedicated group of volunteers, the Adult Literacy staff supports anyone older than 18 with his or her goal to learn or improve reading and writing in English. Currently Redlands Adult Literacy serves more than 80 learners by pairing them with well-trained tutors.

Meeting weekly for instruction in English, our participants are able to achieve their personal goals. Their goals vary from finding employment, furthering their education or being able to fully participate in their children’s schooling. This, in turn, benefits our community by increasing employment, improving health and supporting families.

Recently, the Redlands Adult Literacy Program received The American Dream Starts @ your library grant. This grant is funded by the American Library Association and Dollar General.  READ MORE !

Sunday, February 15, 2015

Newport Beach Library :: Gift of Literacy Luncheon

Save the Date: Gift of Literacy
Literally Speaking: January/February 2015

On May 1, 2015, Newport/Mesa ProLiteracy will hold its annual fundraising luncheon featuring the writer Ann Packer. She will be promoting her new novel, The Children’s Crusade. Ann Packer is the bestselling author of two novels, Songs Without Words and The Dive from Clausen’s Pier, and two collections of short fiction, Mendocino and Other Stories and Swim Back to Me.

If you’re interested in volunteering for or sponsoring this event, please contact the Literacy office.

Tickets will go on sale in early March.

Thursday, February 12, 2015

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.”

“Words are the voice of the heart.”

Tuesday, February 10, 2015

Azusa Library :: American Dream Starts @ Your Library

The American Dream Starts @ Your Library
Literacy Update, Azusa Library: Jan/Feb 2015

. . . at the Azusa City Library, to be exact.  The American Library Association and Dollar General Literacy Foundation awarded a 2014 American Dream Starts @ Your Library grant to the Azusa City Library. This national program helps immigrants to learn English to continue their education, help their children in school, get better jobs and become American citizens.

The award will help to expand tutoring for Spanish-speaking adults who are not literate in their native language. According to the American Community Survey 2009-2011, 11.6 percent of adult Spanish-speaking immigrants in Los Angeles County cannot read or write in any language, creating a barrier to learning English.  The Institute for Work and the Economy’s 2006 report, The Integration of Immigrants in the Workplace, states that an estimated 32 percent of adults enrolled in ESL (English as a Second Language) classes lack basic literacy skills in their native language, making them "slower in learning a second language than their literate counterparts."

Through the library’s partnership with Centro Latino for Literacy, the dedication of Leamos (Let’s Read) volunteer Monica Mejia, and with support from the American Dream grant, adults will be able to gain basic literacy skills in Spanish in approximately 150 hours of study. They can then successfully transition into English classes and find themselves well on their way to achieving their American Dream.

If you know a Spanish speaker who needs to improve their skills, call Cathay Reta at the literacy office:  626-812-5266.

Monday, February 9, 2015

Literacy Jobs - California :: Altadena :: Santa Fe Springs :: Solano Co

Literacy Jobs - California

plans, manages, administers implements, and evaluates the Library System’s literacy program
DEADLINE: FEB 27

a dynamic leader to run their Literacy Program; help develop the Literacy program plan and be responsible for program performance, including collection development of materials for learners and tutors, recruitment of learners and volunteer tutors, training, maintaining statistics, and oversight for budget and CLLS Grant requirements.
DEADLINEFEB 18