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In This Issue
Upcoming Events & Trainings
Adult Literacy Workshop A Success!
LACA Seeks AmeriCorps Service Volunteers
Announcements
Now Hiring

It's always fun to share great news... 

especially when it's about our students! They make us so proud!

A round of applause is in order for one of our English students, Gloria. She just passed the written and driven portions of her driving exam for her Arkansas license. This is a huge victory for her and her wonderful tutor, Sharon!   

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Congrats to our new tutors!

 

Heather McPherson

 

Wilma Harvey

 

Subrina White

 

Jonathan Slagley

 

Melissa Woods

 

Signe Larson

 

Razan Abdin

 

Verkeytia Long

 

Susan Moore

 

Suzanne Kirchner

 

Lynda Anderson

 

Marcus Fields

 

Dema Clark

 

Trainers - Marylyn Parins and Pat Bell


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Literacy Action Newsletter
July 2011
Greetings!

Tell your friends that now is a great time to join us in addressing the adult literacy issues in our community. As I write this, we have 25 adult learners waiting for literacy tutors. Each day we receive more calls from individuals seeking help. The changing economy is a big driver behind many of these calls. As more people are looking for work they are finding that they lack the basic literacy skills to get a job or to qualify for job-training programs. Literacy Action is one of the few places in Pulaski and Faulkner counties where adults with low literacy skills can get one-on-one literacy tutoring to help prepare for new job opportunities.

 

Regardless of whether you take a proactive or more passive approach, there are many ways to get involved in the cause.

 

Five Ways To Get Engaged:

  • Become a literacy tutor. Tutor training workshops are scheduled for September 17th and November 12th.  
  • Become an office volunteer. We need volunteers two mornings a week help our part-time staff.  
  • Tell a friend about the Arkansas Reads AmeriCorps program. We are seeking volunteers for both Pulaski and Faulkner Counties!  
  • Like Literacy Action on Facebook. You will be helping to raise awareness about the adult literacy issues in our community.  
  • Support our mission through donations. As we continue to expand and improve our services to reach more adult learners, our expenses will continue to rise. 
With your help, we are changing lives through literacy. Thank you for your continued support of this valuable organization!

 

Neil Jones
Executive Director 

Upcoming Events and Trainings
 

 

ESL Training, Sign-up for the September Workshop!
 

The ESL Training Workshop scheduled for September 17, 2011 will prepare you to teach English to a non-native speaker. The workshop will include an orientation to Literacy Action's mission and the ways we are working to solve adult literacy problems in Central Arkansas. Training includes an orientation to working with adult literacy students, as well specific information on tutoring techniques for teaching English as a second language. We will also discuss lesson planning and documentation.

 

We currently have three ESL students waiting to be paired with one-on-one tutors and we are anticipating starting new ESL small group classes in the fall.

 

Contact Shelly Owens, sowens@literacylittlerock.org , 501-372-7323 if would like more information. To register on line, visit the  

Literacy Action web site. 

 

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Group Workshop

 

Adult Basic Tutor Workshop 

 

The next Adult Basic Tutor Workshop is scheduled for November 12th. Over the last few months, the number of adults seeking help with literacy skills has continued to be strong. Currently we have 17 adult literacy students waiting to be assigned to a tutor and we are receiving 2 - 3 new students each week. Tell a friend about tutoring opportunities with Literacy Action. We would be happy to answer any question they may have.

 

To register on line, visit the Literacy Action web site or contact Shelly Owens, 501-372-7323.

LACA holds successful Adult Basic Workshop

On Saturday, August 27, Literacy Action trained 15 adult literacy tutors! This was the largest tutor training workshop held this year with participants from both Little Rock and Conway. The workshop was led by Maralyn Parins, with Pat Bell and Neil Jones also instructing the group. Lunch was provided by The Prose Garden Cafe', the new cafe located on the 5th floor of CALS Main Library.

8.28workshop


Literacy Action Seeks AmeriCorps Service Volunteers
AmeriCorps

Want to help raise adult literacy rates in central Arkansas? Literacy Action of Central Arkansas is currently seeking AmeriCorps service volunteers for Pulaski and Faulkner counties! Bimonthly living allowance and education award available.

Interested? Contact Shelly sowens@lliteracylittlerock.org or call (501) 372-7323.    

 

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We are also looking for office volunteers for shifts on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 9 to 12!  

Annoucements!

Computer Lab Now Open

 

Anthony White
 Anthony White, ESL Student

The computer lab is now open and ready for more students. Several students are working on various programs now, and we look forward to assigning more students in the weeks to come. Our ESL students are using Rosetta Stone, as well as other English language programs. Basic literacy students have a range of programs covering phonics, spelling, and reading. The computer lab provides learning opportunities for new students who are waiting on a tutor and for current students who would like to supplement their lessons. Tutors, if you would like to use the lab with your students, just call and set up a time. We also need more volunteers to assist students; if you have a few hours a week to give, please let us know. Computer lab hours are 9:00 - 12:00 and 1:00 - 4:00 Monday thru Thursday, and 9:00 - 12:00 on Fridays. 

 

Contact Shelly Owens, sowens@literacylittlerock.org for more information.

 

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New ESL Class Sites

 

We are working with a church in the UALR area that is organizing ESL evening classes beginning in September. There are a several people who have committed to help, but we need another ESL tutor in order to ensure a successful start-up. We anticipate the first class will run for 6 weeks. If you are an experienced ESL tutor and would like to assist with this project, please contact Shelly Owens, sowens@literacylittlerock.org, 501-372-7323.

 

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International Interior Design

On Thursday, September 15, Literacy Action will be the featured local nonprofit at International Interior Design's open house. Please tell your friends about this wonderful opportunity to learn more about what we do. 10% of sales from the evening will serve to benefit LACA! 

 

Location:
International Interior Design 

1823 North Grant Street
Little Rock, AR 72207-4408 

(501) 663-3607
http://www.iidacc.com/
Now Hiring: Program Coordinator (Conway)

Literacy Action, a non-profit organization focusing on adult literacy issues in central Arkansas, is seeking a part-time (16 hrs/week) Program Coordinator to coordinate adult literacy programs and services in Conway, Arkansas. Duties include student and tutor recruitment, program administration and development. Candidates must have excellent interpersonal, problem solving, and organizational skills as well as the desire to make a difference in the lives of adults who cannot read. A high school diploma is required as well as a strong work history that demonstrates high-level administrative and communication skills. Pay range is 12.00 - 14.00 per hour DOE.

Candidates should reply with a letter and resume.


LACA@literacylittlerock.org.

 

Contact Literacy Action of Central Arkansas

 

Little Rock  (501) 372-7323

Conway      (501) 329-7323

E-mail         info@literacylittlerock.org

Arkansas Literacy Councils

Web            www.LiteracyLittleRock.org

 

Literacy Action of Central Arkansas is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization.