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Information and inspiration for our friends and partners. |
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| New Staff Members at LVWCC |
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Farewell Kathy Moran and Natasha Neal
Kathy, who served with us for two years as program coordinator, has recently taken a position at an adult literacy organization closer to her home. Natasha Neal, who served with us one year as outreach coordinator of our north region, has decided to return to social work. We thank them both for their efforts and dedication through a time of great change at LVWCC.
New Partnerships Focus in Outreach
 Jasmine Brown, our Partnerships Specialist, will oversee outreach in our entire service area. Specifically, she will focus on building relationships with community organizations to the west and south of Oak Park. We are working to secure funding to bring on a VOCAL Americorps volunteer to help with this effort. Thank you, Jasmine for stepping up to the plate.
Welcome Mari Smith
 Mari Smith is our new Tutor Support Specialist. She is a Brookfield resident and has taught adult ESL part-time at both Riverside Brookfield High School and Lyons Township High School. She holds a master's degree in Library and Information Science, a master's degree in Education and Counseling, and a bachelor's degree in Psychology and Education. Throughout the years she has served as a substitute teacher and librarian in K-12 schools. She recently focused her efforts on parent education and English as a Second Language.
Welcome Natalie French Natalie French is our new Learner Support Specialist. She is a Chicago resident and works part-time as a reading specialist at Malcolm X College. She brings extensive experience serving urban learners of many ages. She holds a master's degree in Special Education and Reading, a master's degree in Global Education Leadership, and a certification in Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL). Service learning has been at the heart of her career experience.
Mari and Natalie will officially start in their new roles on Thursday, August 7th.
As such, this month's newsletter will be decidedly shorter than the norm, with more great stories and news to come in September. |
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Library Cards
One of the most important things we can do for our adult learners is to make sure they have library cards that get used.
- "When I was young, we couldn't afford much. But, my library card was my key to the world." --John Goodman, actor
- "A library card is the start of a lifelong adventure." --Lilian Jackson Braun, author of "The Cat Who..." mystery novel series
Intermediate learners and all tutors should use a public library card to check out learning materials; consumable workbooks are available only for low-level learners. Make it a goal to have a library card that gets used by September! Do you need information or help with a library card? Email echase@lvwcc.org.
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Barbara A. Raispis Literacy Collection
The Raispis Collection has been streamlined and relocated to the Berwyn Public Library. To better serve tutors of low-level ABE and ESL students, we have compiled the most essential tools and resources on teaching beginner ABE and ESL, including phonics and beginner speaking.
The Raispis Collection is not kept in the public area; please call Esther at (708) 749-6328 or send an email to echase@berwynlibrary.org if you would like to browse. Browsing hours are by appointment only on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 9 am to 4 pm, and Thursdays from 1 to 9 pm.
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Thank you to donors making gifts this fiscal year. We appreciate your support.
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Individual Donations
Mario K. Medina $250
In-kind Labor Donations Esther Chase $20,800 |
In memory of tutor Edna McQuillan $75
Grants
IL State Library Literacy Office $34,503
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LVWCC Board of Directors
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Name
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Resident of
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Since
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Current Role
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Esther Chase
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Berwyn
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2010
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Board President
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Mario K. Medina
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Berwyn
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2011
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Board Member
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Jolinda Cappello
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Elmwood Park
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2013
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Board Member
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Would you like to serve on our board of directors? Board members must:
- live in our service area, and
- attend 6 board meetings per year, and
- have at least 2 years of volunteer tutor experience with us, or
- be a current student with professional experience we need, or
- have extensive non-profit directorship experience.
Please send an email to echase@lvwcc.org for more information.
Board Meetings
Board meetings are held every other month. Our next board meeting will be held on Monday, September 22, 2014 at 7:30 pm. We invite you to share your concerns about the organization and ask questions during our open session. If you would like to join us, please send an email to echase@lvwcc.org for the location details.
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 LVWCC has been developing literacy skills with adults in the near-west suburbs of Chicago since 1987. We provide free customized tutoring to adult learners through a network of trained volunteers.
Our unique service area includes disadvantaged communities where 25% of residents have not completed high school, in addition to well-educated communities where 99% of residents have completed high school. Together, we are literally changing lives. Learn more.
Our program is made possible by a grant from the Illinois State Library, a division of the Office of Secretary of State, using funds designated for literacy. We are thankful that the State of Illinois continues to invest in our program. Find out more about how public libraries play a key role in the provision of literacy services.
Additional support for the work of LVWCC is made possible through an annual competitive grant from the Donley Foundation, which helps us achieve our organizational mission in western Cook County. We appreciate the legacy established by Edward and Inez Donley and we are proud that the Foundation considers us a partner in their effort to help adults advance in life and contribute to society.
LVWCC Literacy Lines E-Newsletter Archives
Looking for previous editions of our e-newsletter? Click here for the archives.
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Donate
Would you consider a monthly donation to our program? Small dependable gifts from friends like you help sustain our program each year while the state of Illinois works to release annual competitive funding. If you have already sent us a donation, thank you. Your support helps us train more tutors and reach more learners who need us.
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Volunteer
Helping an adult improve literacy skills can be a rewarding process for both you and your adult learner; the effects can last a lifetime and impact generations. More than reading, writing, or mathematics, improved literacy leads to greater self-confidence, engaged parenting, increased employability, and a desire for lifelong learning.
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Literacy Volunteers of Western Cook County (LVWCC)
Mailing Address: PO Box 4502, Oak Park, IL 60304
Office Location: 1010 W. Lake St. Suite 603, Oak Park, IL 60301
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