Literacy Link - Leamos

Newsletter

March-April 2006

Inside This Issue

Coordinator’s Column

Quote of the Month

A Special Invitation

SAWDB Funds

Project Let’s Read

LL-L Board News

ProLiteracy Training

Spring Fling

Calendar of Events

GIVE: Get Involved~

                  ~ Volunteers Energize!

Literacy Link-Leamos

515 W. College Avenue

Silver City, NM 88061

(505) 388-0892

literacylinkleamos@yahoo.com

Website:http://www.gilarangers.

com/Leamos

Literacy Link – Leamos is partially funded by the  New Mexico Coalition for Literacy

Coordinator’s Column

2006 Love Your Library: Explore Its Treasures is, as they say, ‘in the books!’      

 Saturday’s family literacy event was a huge success. Attendance was over 220 children and adults, ranging in age from the three week old baby and the 94 years old former literacy tutor that I met. The fun filled day was only made possible by the hard work of the 20 LL-L volunteers involved and the support and donations of many local businesses. A BIG thank you to chair Linda Ferrara and everyone who decided to GIVE.

      I am anxious to see if any of my mental photos of the day make the local papers, such as the little boy leading his grandpa over to the bingo games; the dad reading to his little girl in the children's corner, as if nothing else was going on; the mom and dad who helped their children do the treasure hunt, searching the library for clues;  and then my favorite, a four year old little girl who had just won a play cell phone animatedly carrying on a conversation while pacing the floor. She must have seen that one somewhere!

     Why do we do LYL every year?  It is a great way to show our appreciation to the library for housing our program.  The day provides a way for us to get to know our community better and for them to learn what we are all about, increasing local literacy. And it all happens, on our home turf!

     Have a great day and remember, life is given to be enjoyed!

Michelle  

Michelle Detterick

Program Coordinator

Quote to Ponder….

The essence of teaching is to make learning contagious, to have one idea spark another.

Marva Collins

SAWDB  Funds Received

Literacy Link – Leamos was awarded a one-time only $15,000 grant from the Southwest Area Workforce Development Board. Funds will provide training in computer basics and software for our tutors and learners. Training sessions with Frank Avallone will begin with an introduction to newly acquired software at our next in-service on March 14 from 2 to 4 pm. Tutors will be able to sign up for specific workshops at that time. Marilyn Berry is our SAWDB project manager and may be contacted at the LL-L office.  

Board  Retreat

Board members met for a Retreat on Saturday, February 4, 2006. Members became better acquainted with each other, and with the goals, purposes, and programs of the Literacy Link-Leamos group through a variety of activities. A fun, productive day, enjoyed by all, was moderated by board President Karen Bryan.

     Jon George gave a great presentation on our organization, refreshing our thoughts on our history, mission, goals, and purpose. Poignant questions facilitated discussion concerning long term planning and goals.

     Frank Ferrara gave a Finance 101 presentation which was very informative, explaining both the finances of our group, and demonstrating the varied uses of our new computers, software, and the projector as teaching tools.

     The afternoon work session was spent discussing, outlining, and compiling handbooks for LL-L volunteers and board members. With responsibilities and expectations clearly defined, these handbooks will be a helpful tool for all volunteers.

     The retreat was a great success in helping us to focus on our main mission, our goals, our strengths, and our needs, and in planning for the future.

     A special thank you to Karen, Jon, and Frank for organizing the retreat and heartfelt thanks to  the LL-L board for their tremendous 100% support and attendance.  --Marilyn Berry

Reminder: Program updates are posted on LL-L bulletin boards in the tutoring room, LL-L office, and by the copier.  However the easiest place to check….our website!

Training:

On the Cutting Edge

Volunteers are now able to be certified ProLiteracy tutors in both Reading and ESL by attending only one workshop.  This innovative training will be offered for the first time in southern New Mexico in Silver City on April 6–7, 2006. Training is sponsored by the New Mexico Coalition for Literacy and available at no charge for all LL-L volunteers. ProLiteracy Trainer Ande England from Roswell will use a variety of teaching techniques and group activities during this interactive workshop.

     The blending of ESL and Basic training will provide new volunteers with needed skills for successful tutoring for all who ask for our help.  This training is also a great opportunity for experienced tutors to become recertified and enhance tutoring skills.  All materials and books will be supplied at no charge to participants. Lunch and snacks will be provided. Registration is under way and is limited to 25.   Deming and Lordsburg literacy programs are joining us for this training.  Call the LL-L office today to reserve your spot! 

Tutor/LL-L Orientation: March

Basic & ESL Training: April 6-7,  from 9 to 5

Tutors:  This space is for you!  Check out the Tutor Forum and Discussion page on our website.

Project: Let’s Read 2006

Volunteers are busy, busy, busy labeling and sorting books in preparation for giving them away to children in needy families.  THANK YOU for helping and please come again - Jon, Rees, Thelma, Janet, Penny, Jan, Bill, Caroline, Dana, John, Linda, Leda, Pat, Kay, MAM, Lani, Clint.  During ten afternoons in January, these literacy friends have labeled over half of the 8,000 books in storage.  We have overflowed into a second unit at Silver City Self Storage.  Many thanks to Tobie and Julie Bowen for donating the space. 

Project: Let’s Read   (cont.)

    A recent grant from Target is funding Let’s Read 2006. In addition, the project benefits from some of the children’s books our Board member

Linda Ferrara has obtained directly from publishers.

    Help!  About 4,000 books still need labels!  Come help for an hour or two on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Fridays from 1-3 pm (weather permitting) at the storage units behind the Food Basket, at Bennett & 13^th Streets.  Questions: call Caroline, 388-8771.  

     See the wonderful books! Chat with other volunteers! Enjoy the sunshine! Feel the excitement of preparing books to give away!  Plan to help with distributions in the spring! –C. Baldwin

Time for Spring Cleaning!

    LL-L’s Spring Fling rummage sale, held in conjunction with the Celebration of Spring at the Big Ditch Park, is May 13^th. Start cleaning your closets, garages, and attics now!