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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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AUGUST 20131
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Quick Links
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3 year-old Natalia takes a playground
break at our Summer Bridge program
From The Executive Director: 
As summer comes to an end, families are anticipating the new school year. Here too, at ACLAMO, just as our Summer Bridge program ends we are preparing for our Family Literacy, After School enrichment, and new teen education programs. This year, we are proceeding in faith, trusting that we will garner the necessary financial support to continue providing these programs with generous support from friends like you. As a result of that unwavering commitment, some have called ACLAMO a "faith-based organization," and we're okay with that!
This month nearly 400 families gathered for ACLAMO/ Citizens Bank 5th Annual Backpack Giveaway. To the children and a families, this is far more than a backpack. It's giving the children a chance for success at school, sending them prepared with school supplies - and excited to re-engage in learning. We are also pleased to introduce our newest Board member, José Aguirre (see below).
As ACLAMO enters it's 37th year of service we humbly ask for your support to keep these and other programs going. One way to help is to become an Amigo de ACLAMO. Please click here for more information. Thank you! |
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ACLAMO and Citizens Bank's School Backpack Distribution
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Leslie Donnell, Director of Public Affairs, along with Deborah Khan,
Vice President, and intern, John Lawrie of Citizens Bank, work with
Juan Guerra and Ada Crespo of ACLAMO in distributing backpacks
What child doesn't want to go to school the first day with a brand new backpack full of school supplies? Thanks to the generosity of Citizens Bank, nearly 400 children in our community were provided with just that. Each of the children received not only a backpack, but also a supply of school-related items including pencils, pens and notebooks.
Families gathered at ACLAMO Family Centers in Norristown early in the morning in advance of the event start time in order to be included in the Backpack Giveaway. Children entering school for the first time were the most excited as they waited patiently with their siblings and parents for members of Citizens Bank to arrive. When the backpacks started being moved into the lobby of ACLAMO, where they were distributed by staff and representatives of the bank, the excitement was palpable. Every child, after choosing from a wide selection of colors, strode out wearing a brand new backpack -- and a big smile!
The annual Citizens Bank Backpack Giveaway at ACLAMO has become a much anticipated event in our community. "At Citizens Bank we understand the importance of getting off to a good start when it comes to education. We are pleased to play a role in helping students through ACLAMO," said Leslie Donnell, Director of Public Affairs at Citizens Bank. "This is an excellent example of how community-based organizations and businesses can partner to enrich the lives of those they both serve."
We are grateful to Citizens Bank for their generosity and hope that this event will continue to prepare and encourage students for many years to come.
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Summer Ends On a High Note!
ACLAMO's Summer Bridge learning program ended August 8th with a picnic for the participants and their families.The mothers of the students were very generous in their offerings and livened up the farewell celebration with a bountiful spread of authentic Mexican food and delicious sweet treats.Those who had had perfect attendance for the entire 6-week summer program were presented with a "Certificate of Excellence" award.
Reluctant to see this summer's program end, our middle schoolers requested that ACLAMO extendit for an additional two weeks. Who would have guessed pre-teens and teens would have asked for two more weeks of summer school? Ana Cordova, ACLAMO's Bryn Mawr College VISTA worker for the coming 2013-14 year graciously agreed, and participants in grades 6-8 were able to enjoy a full 8-week program.
ACLAMO has been providing after-school and summer learning programs since 1988. Many thanks to all who helped make this year's summer program such a wonderful success. Gracias!
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ACLAMO's Newest Board Member, José Aguirre
Executive Director, Juan Guerra welcomes
José Aguirre to the ACLAMO Board of Directors
The year was 1978 and Nicaragua was being torn apart by a bloody struggle between the Somoza regime and revolutionary elements. In a daring venture rivaling the best of Hollywood, the Aguirre family managed to escape with four children, including 4-year old José. They arrived as refugees in the United States and began the long road to family economic stability. This month, ACLAMO was delighted to welcome José Aguirre as the newest member of its Board of Directors.
José is a successful senior program manager with PECO/Exelon and lives with his wife and two daughters in Pottsgrove Township. José tells us that, as he meets and observes the families being served by ACLAMO - especially the young children - he sees himself and his own life experience. "This is the first organization where I have an opportunity to give back to the community in this way. I completely understand and feel the emotion from those children who are benefiting from the resources offered by ACLAMO."
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Personal Profile: FROM INDIA TO ACLAMO
Born in Calcutta, India, Rohit Dasgupta came to the United States with his family when he was 8 years old. He has always been proud of his Indian heritage, but became acquainted with the Spanish language and Latino traditions during a middle school total immersion language camp. There, he spent three weeks away from home and was permitted to speak only Spanish.
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Rohit Dasgupta
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This experience gave Rohit a major boost in his ability to speak Spanish. That language has been a focus of his interest ever since. Rohit's own academic and career interests are focused on math and science. He graduated from Johns Hopkins University with a degree in Biomedical Engineering and now works at GlaxoSmithKline as a co-op researcher.
Consistently throughout his career, Rohit has found time to use his Spanish in various volunteer settings. While in college, he was a research intern at Harvard University and volunteered in the emergency room of the Massachusetts General Hospital, helping with translation and other tasks.
Shortly after beginning work at GlaxoSmithKline, he reached out to ACLAMO. Over the past year, he has become a key player in our "S.T.E.M." presentations, engaging students in our After School and Summer Bridge programs.
We are grateful for Rohit's commitment to Spanish and to Latino families. Anyone interested in volunteering with ACLAMO should call 610-277-2570 or e-mail us at ACLAMO.
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ACLAMO is now celebrating 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 Community 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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