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ACLAMO Family Centers Newsletter
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Providing our community with the services and skills for success
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JULY 20131
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 Students Yamilet and Maria enjoy a cool dip at the community pool as part of ACLAMO's Summer Bridge program From The Executive Director:  The sweltering day at the Zoo hit 99 degrees, while the pool excursion the following week had temperatures in the low 70! Oh well, the children didn't seem to mind! On this, our 12th annual Summer Bridge program, we are so proud of the children and their enthusiastic participation. Due to cutbacks, this year's summer program was in question, but thanks to some last minute gifts and grants, we were able to once again offer it to a record number of children. We have some positive changes at ACLAMO with two additional board members (see story on Juan Gonzalez), and are underway with a campaign to help fund our Family Literacy program. This year of cutbacks is challenging so we ask that you be generous in this effort. Please see our giving link at: Amigos de ACLAMO. Thank you. Lastly, we sometimes forget that real people with real stories make up those that are served. Edith Cruz told her 'ACLAMO story' at last month's graduation and we thought we would share it with you. We applaud her courage and determination. |
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Andrea enjoys a break from her studies.
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ACLAMO
SUMMER BRIDGE
IN FULL SWING
Who would want to squeeze biology, music, math, reading, grammar, journal writing, scientific calculator use, and even interpersonal skills for dealing with bullying ... into a summer vacation?
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Linda Maldonado helps with math.
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The answer is 70 children who are coming each day to ACLAMO's Summer Bridge Program. This program, held at Marshall Street Elementary School offers children, ages 5 through 13, fun and educational experiences.
Supported by five ACLAMO staff members and six volunteers, students are keeping up the learning and momentum which they had built up over the past school year, plus experiencing a little fun so they will be ready to begin successfully in the fall.
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Steve Rhoads and Ben Swartz
talk about music
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One activity which fascinated the older children was a memory game with bar graphs. They first looked at random items on a table. They then looked away and wrote down the names of the objects they could remember. Teachers showed the class how to make a graph of the results, taking note of the effects of colors, sizes and positioning on memory, and how to employ different tricks toward sharpening one's mental capacity.
Students also learned rhythms and different types of musical notes, then they were taught how to combine to make harmonies and chords. This was showcased by visiting musicians and demonstrated by their various instruments.
Another important part of the curriculum did not have to do with academics, but with real issues facing young people today; a series of lessons on the problem of bullying. Students wrote skits (which surprised the teachers with their realism), and composed a rap song about bullying. The last line of their song is "When you see bullying, say STOP!" Our thanks to volunteer, Steve Rhoads for your creative input! See a short video of the rap song by
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Zoo volunteer and ACLAMO summer staff member, Ben Swartz gives the children a private tour
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Field trips to other locations are a key part of the program, with an excursion to the local community pool, and a trip to the Elmwood Park Zoo. There volunteers explained the different animals, habitats and diets to the children.
This year marks ACLAMO's 12th year holding the Summer Bridge Program. "Low income families in Norristown don't have a lot to pick from in the long, hot summer months", said teacher, Marla Benssy. "Most families could never afford what we had growing up; a weekend at the beach or summer camp. That's why what we offer is so important".
"We are deeply appreciative of our staff and especially our volunteers, who selflessly take part of their summer to provide this vitally important support to our students and their families", said executive director, Guerra. "We are also grateful to our supporters and sponsors, who allow us to run this and other ACLAMO programs by their faithful contributions".
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ACLAMO BOARD PONDERS CHALLANGES
AND OPPORTUNITIES
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Dr. Justin Fink, ACLAMO Associate Director and Grants Manager, discusses fall financing with several Board members. Pictured left to right: Justin Fink, Jim Murray, Don Cheetham, Eduardo Nieto, and Director, Juan Guerra.
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At a working meeting on July 24, members of ACLAMO's Board of Directors discussed ACLAMO's Programming for the new fiscal year. Members were enthusiastic in their support of programs but reiterated the need to make up for reduced government funding. The meeting followed up what has been a new business plan which includes increased private support.
As part of that initiative, the Board initiated a Family Literacy Campaign earlier this month, alerting newsletter readers and other supporters of the need for greatly increased giving. The initial response to the Campaign has been encouraging but still requires additional help.
A key part of obtaining increased funding is for many of the readers of this newsletter to make donations.
If you have not yet contributed to this campaign, please do so by following this link Amigo de ACLAMO to either make a one-time gift, or consider contributing monthly. You may also send a check to ACLAMO, 512 West Marshall Street, Norristown, PA 19401.
ACLAMO families need your generous help! Thank you!
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JUAN MIGUEL GONZALEZ JOINS ACLAMO BOARD
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Juan Miguel Gonzalez (left) is welcomed by Executive Director Juan Guerra (center) and Eduardo Nieto, Board President
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Always eager to find talented and energetic supporters, ACLAMO is pleased to announce the newest member of the Board, Juan Miguel Gonzalez. Juan is Community Bank District Manager and Vice President for Wells Fargo Bank and manages over 200 team members.
Juan´s parents came to the United States from Cuba and he is deeply committed to his Latino roots and to working on behalf of the Latino community. He considers his life to be successful if each day is a little bit better in some way than the previous day and if he is able to give back - to his family, his coworkers, and the community.
Juan and his wife live in Blue Bell and enjoy traveling and spending time with family. He looks forward to assisting the ACLAMO Board with new initiatives.
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Personal Profile: EDITH CRUZ
She is a dedicated mother, excellent and hardworking student, and victim of a disastrous apartment fire. In many ways Edith Cruz and her family provide a classic illustration of the results of the work of ACLAMO staff and those who support us with their gifts of time and money.
Edith said it best when she spoke at our Family Literacy graduation ceremony:
Good morning! It is a pleasure to greet all of you. My name is Edith Cruz. I am the mother of one of the beautiful butterflies that is about to fly away to kindergarten. This is my first and last year at ACLAMO.
Years ago, some friends as well as family members said great things about ACLAMO, which made me interested in bringing my daughter, Shara. I finally did, and I found more than I expected.
From the first day of class I saw my daughter's enthusiasm to come back to class. For me too it was a rewarding experience. I learned to have a better understanding of English as well as getting to learn different tasks on the computer. Also, chatting with my classmates gave me lots of joy.
But ACLAMO hasn't just helped me with education, but also in a moral way. Last year in the last week of November, our apartment caught on fire. We just had time to get out with clothes we had on. All my family's belongings were inside including our electronics and children's toys.
As I was watching the fire in my apartment from outside, I asked myself, "Now what?" It was not enough time to recover and have a pleasurable holiday. I felt very depressed until I came back to class the third day after the fire. ACLAMO helped my family get back on its feet by giving us furniture and things for the apartment. They gave the first new toys to my children. A week after the fire we did not have to eat standing up, and my children have their smile back, and yes we were able to enjoy the holidays.
For the education and moral help I want to say "thank you" to every person that works in ACLAMO from the person who cleans, to the director, Juan Guerra, but especially to Ms. Linda Maldonado for her wonderful job with our children, Ms. Marla for her courage and patience to teach hard heads like us (!), Ms. Margarita for her advice on how to treat our future - our children, and Ms. Laney for her help with our English pronunciation.
Thank you, ACLAMO!
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ACLAMO celebrates its 36th year of providing economic, educational, health and cultural opportunities for low-income residents of Norristown and Pottstown, especially those of Spanish language heritage.
ACLAMO stands for Accíon Comunal Latinoamericana de Montgomery County, or Latin American Action of Montgomery County. ACLAMO is derived from the Spanish word "aclamar," which means "to acclaim."
ACLAMO Family Centers ACLAMO Family Centers
512 W. Marshall Street 515 Walnut Street
Norristown, PA 19401 Pottstown, PA 19464
610-277-2570 610-970-2134
aclamo.org
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