Thursday, Sept 8

International Literacy Day

Thursday, Sept 15

Tutor Appreciation Luncheon-OP Library Meeting Room

11:30am-1:30pm

Saturday, Sept 24

Tutor Training Class

9 am-3:30 pm, Adult Ed Conference Room, OPHS

Saturday, Sept 24

Books-A-Million Fund Raiser, Orange Park Mall

Tuesday, Oct 4

Becoming a Citizen Class, Adult Ed Conference Room at OPHS, 10am-11:30am

Saturday, Oct 8

Tutor In-Service Workshop "Learning Disabilities and Differences" with Dr. Daniel Beckton, Adult Ed Conference Room at OPHS, 10:00am-Noon.

Monday, Oct 10

Literacy Night at Texas Roadhouse, 550 Blanding Blvd, 5-9pm

Oct 15-16

Orange Park Fall Festival, Town Hall Park
 

Books-A-Million (Orange Park Mall)

Saturday, Sept. 24th

Books-A-Million will be partnering with CCLC on Saturday, Sept 24th by donating 10% of all proceeds from purchases on that date made in our name. Why not start your Christmas shopping early and head over to Orange Park Mall with your list. Let your family and friends know as well. This opportunity will raise awareness as well as funds, as CCLC volunteers will greet customers and distribute our literature promoting literacy.

Books-A-Million will also be collecting books throughout September for adult and family literacy programs like CCLC throughout Florida. Read more...

Just a reminder that CCLC is taking part once again in the PepsiCo TICKETS Fore CHARITY™ event October 17-23 at TPC Sawgrass. 100% of every ticket sold comes directly to CCLC and is fully tax-deductible.

Click here to select your deeply discounted package.  

"Are you interested to learn about news facts in a clear way? Reading News for You Online is a good chance to do it. It has different articles about nature, world news, health, nutrition, and also entertainment. The good advantages are that the information is very short, clear and positive. It keeps the reader's focused, encouraging pleasure in reading."  

--CCLC Adult Learner Maria Vanegas

"If you haven't checked out News for You Online yet, you are missing a great opportunity. It has articles written for adults in an easy to read format. The articles cover a wide variety of current topics. With each article there are teacher materials to help you expand the lesson.   These materials focus on concepts such as pronunciation, parts of speech, syllables, and reading comprehension. The current edition has an article on the debt limit. The teacher's guide for this article includes activities on the difference between borrow and lend, in-depth discussion questions, use of verb tenses, and it also touches on making polite requests. The paper can easily be used for duet or echo reading. Maria and I enjoyed working on the crossword puzzle. "News for You" gives you an easy way to bring a fresh approach and new materials to your lessons."

 --CCLC Tutor Cindy Fuss

To access News For You Online, follow these 3 simple steps:

1. Click HERE.
2. Click on any article you'd like to read.
3. Enter this password when instructed: D12A48

September 24: Hosts and hostesses are needed to greet and provide info about CCLC to shoppers at Books-A-Million, Orange Park Mall.

October 15-16: CCLC will again participate in the annual Orange Park Fall Festival at the OP Town Hall Park. Volunteers are needed to host our booth.

For more information, contact the CCLC office at 904-272-5988 or email clayliteracy@aol.com

"I don't know what would have happened to me if I didn't have the library and all those books."  

                                            - Helen

Helen Walker is a mind-over-matter type of gal. When her husband passed away in 2004, she found solace within library walls and on hundreds, probably thousands, of book pages.

She wondered what would have become of herself without the gift of literacy or a passion for learning.  

Yet you won't find her sitting long enough to wonder too much. Between yoga, pilates and book club meetings, Helen generously offers her time to the Clay County Literacy Coalition Board of Directors as Secretary. She assumed this role in 2009 after another tutor and acquaintance introduced her to the organization.

For this retired healthcare administrator, volunteering for CCLC as a board member and officer allows Helen to give back to the community; in return she definitely feels the intrinisic reward. She's proud to support such a worthy, important cause that helps individuals begin to achieve their goals, both big and small.

Helen has two daughters and two grandchildren. In addition to maintaining a lifestyle focused on mental and physical wellbeing, Helen enjoys gardening and music. She frequently attends local concerts and theater performances.

The Clay County Literacy Coalition is pleased to have Helen on the Board of Directors.Does someone you know have a great skill set that would benefit the Clay County Literacy Coalition? We are accepting applications for board members! Please contact President Lisa Leiby for more information: lleiby@comcast.net

"Every time I see a light bulb come on, I get joy out of it."

                                            - Al, on his experience as a tutor

Al Tidball learned about the Clay County Literacy Coalition at the Orange Park Fouth of July Celebration just over two years ago. CCLC had a booth and Al simply signed up after chatting with the volunteers present that day. He loves reading and understands its importance in daily living. Immediately after college, Al moved around quite a lot while working for the railroad. He then started a career in civil engineering, in which he now has more than 35 years of experience and owns a business. He and his wife have 6 daughters together (3 each from previous marriages), and 2 grandchildren. They are expecting a 3rd grandchild in a few months.

Al currently works with his 2nd student, Nagwa, through CCLC. Nagwa is from Egypt, and her native language is Arabic. She works in a restaurant that her husband owns and manages. The couple has one toddler. While Al and Nagwa do work on reading, writing and conversation skills, Nagwa's main goal is to pass her driver's test since she can now communicate well enough in English to be understood. Al helps her with a driver's education book and the language required for driving.

Although it's tough work teaching something that so many take for granted, Al simply puts himself in adult learners' shoes to stay motivated. "It would be so horrible to not be able to read. Every time I see a light bulb come on, I get joy out of it."