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Events Update
ABL/ESL Conway Tutor Training
Saturday, September 7, 2013
9:00am - 1:00pm
2013 Shine-A-Light on Literacy Thursday, September 266:00pm - 8:00pmTAFF Training Workshop
Thursday, September 19
3:30-5:30
Combined ESL/ABL Training
Saturday, October 12
9:00am-1:00pm
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Tutors Needed for Fall TAFF Program!!
We are currently looking for dependable tutors for the fall TAFF program that is hosted at Pulaski Technical College. A TAFF tutor needs to be available twice a week for an hour each session. Two hours a week can really make a huge difference for adults seeking to enter community college. You will need to attend TAFF training on September 19 and commit to eight weeks of tutoring twice per week. Call our office (501)372-7323 for details.
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AmeriCorps Opportunities Available!
 Do you have a passion for literacy? Literacy Action of Central Arkansas is looking for qualified literacy tutors to serve as AmeriCorps Members for the 2013-2014 program year. Responsibilities include tutoring adults to read in basic literacy and/or ESL, mentoring other tutors, recruiting and leading training workshops. Through this service opportunity, you will have the chance to gain real-world experience on the front lines of literacy. You can make a difference AND earn an education award that can be used to pay college tuition and pay back eligible student loans all by helping fight illiteracy. Persons 55 and older can pass on their education award to their child or grandchild. As a part-time AmeriCorps Member serving 18-20 hours a week, you will receive a living allowance of $6,254 per year, paid to the AmeriCorps member in a bi-monthly stipend. Upon successful completion of 900 hours of service, AmeriCorps members will receive a $2775 education award. Send a cover letter and resume to laca@literacylittlerock.org or call 501-372-7323 for more information.
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AmeriCorps VISTA Postitions Available!
LACA is currently looking for one VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America) member to join our team! This position will be full-time and offer several full time benefits such as health and childcare, and educational award of $5,550
Click HERE for more information, or call (501)372-7323! |
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Literacy Action Newsletter
September 2013
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Shine On!
By: Neil Jones, Executive Director
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Neil Jones, Executive Director
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This month's Shine a Light on Literacy is a fantastic way to show your support for Literacy Action's programs in Central Arkansas. Our event team is putting on quite a party that you will not want to miss. We have a great line up of authors and artists this year. Be sure and read about the pen master, Shawn Newton. You can purchase tickets by clicking on the event link in this newsletter. I hope to see you there!
In addition to Shine a Light on Literacy, there is a whole lot happening this month at Literacy Action. In this issue read about:
· Tutor training in Conway
· TAFF tutor training in Little Rock
· Opportunities for service through AmeriCorps and VISTA
· United Way / Literacy Action kick-off event
There are 23 adult students waiting for tutors to help with critical literacy skills they desperately need to obtain family sustaining jobs, read to their children and make healthcare decisions. Now is the time to help us build a stronger community through literacy. Stories like the one from William tell us that we can make a difference in the lives of adults and families. The TAFF program helped him bridge into community college and pursue the training he needs for a better job. There are many ways to become engaged with our adult literacy programs... become a tutor, attend an event, or simply pass this newsletter along to a friend. Take action today!
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LACA Welcomes new Event Coordinator for Shine A Light on Literacy
By: Hannah Vogler
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As someone who grew up in a house that literally had a bookshelf in every room (even the bathroom and the hallway!), I truly can't imagine what it must be like to not be able to read. I just don't remember a time in my life when I couldn't pick up any book I wanted to read and
Since we didn't have a television, reading was our primary source of entertainment and imagination, and my three sisters and I played library, making handmade checkout cards for each of our books. We traded books like most girls trade clothes. Our parents read to us every single night at bedtime, during road trips, and when we were sick. The CALS book sale was one of the most anticipated events of the year, when I was allowed to pick out an entire box of books to take home!
Later in her life, my mom became a reading tutor, working with everyone from elementary school students to college students to ESL speakers. She says that one of the proudest moments of her entire life was the first time she realized that she had taught someone to read. Later, she found out that she had given him the first book that he ever owned.
As someone who was also raised with a love of books and a love of community activity, I realize the profound effect that the gift of literacy can have on someone's life. Being able to read is simply a requirement for living a productive life in our world.
I attended the very first Shine A Light on Literacy, and have attended several others over the last five years, and I am so happy to now be its Event Coordinator. I look forward to using my professional expertise to not only make sure that the event runs smoothly, but that Literacy Action of Central Arkansas raises much-needed financial support for their adult tutoring programs.
Join us for the Literacy Action of Central Arkansas' 5th Annual Shine a Light on Literacy Gala
Thursday, September 26, 2013
6 to 8 pm at the Arkansas Governor's Mansion
1800 Center Street, Little Rock, Arkansas
Heavy hors d'oeuvres, wine and beer
Live Music by the Marchese-Hendricks Project.
Silent auction featuring works by local artists and authors.
Tickets are $50 each.
All proceeds benefit Literacy Action of Central Arkansas' adult literacy and ESL programs.
Click Here for More Information or to Purchase Tickets
or call 501-372-7323, or at the door.
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Pens Become a Big Hit for Shine a Light AuctionHot Springs resident Shawn Newton will be auctioning off some of his beautiful pens at the Shine a Light event. Below is his story about how his business came to be what it is today. He is one of the many artists and authors who is auctioning at the event.
By: Shawn Newton
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Shawn Newton
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I started collecting fountain pens Valentine's day 2010 when my wife bought me an inexpensive calligraphy pen and sketch book to draw with. I was hooked. I started saving my pennies and slowly acquired more pens, nicer pens, some expensive pens, and eventually some custom pens. These were the most interesting to me, and after a few years of collecting this and that, I started asking questions of the people who made these hand crafted beauties. Luckily everybody was very kind and giving with their knowledge and it wasn't long before I had a nice shopping list made for all that I needed to start making my own pens. Why make my own? It's cheaper than buying them. In December of 2011 I sold nearly all of my pen collection and had enough for a wood lathe and a few tools. I
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One of the pens that will be sold at the auction
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quickly found out I was far from finished and at the suggestion of a friend made online, I started a Kickstarter
to raise money for the rest of my tooling and equipment. I would make a pen for the customer and a pen for a student, a twin so to speak. I only asked for $800 and was nervous that I wouldn't come close to reaching that goal, but the support was above and beyond what I had expected. I was fully funded in the first hour! At the end of the 4 weeks I had raised over $4,000! I couldn't believe it. I have been making pens for people all over the world ever since then, and until recently, for students too. Last year I had the idea to start selling pens in online raffles to start a scholarship to help graduating seniors go to college. I gave away two $1,000 scholarships last year for a computer, car repairs, groceries, whatever. So now, while I'm not giving pens away any more, I'm still giving to my students. The scholarship is available to anyone in the US, and next year I'll try to open it up world wide. Not sure how that's going to work out, but I want to do it.
If you had told me 4 years ago when I was doodling with that Sheaffer Viewpoint that my wife bought for me, that I would be making expensive custom pens, I would have laughed at you. I can't believe this has taken me where it has, that it has gone where it has. I'm amazed every day and I have absolutely no idea where I will be in the next few years, but I'm very much looking forward to the journey.
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LACA Participating in United Way Kick-Off
Literacy Action is participating in the United Way Kick-Off event held at Dickey Stephens Park on September 11, 2013. Join us in supporting literacy and so many other great organizations in Little Rock. The Event will begin at 11:30am. We hope to see you there!
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Read this story written by our own TAFF student, William. He is the very first person in his family to be enrolled in college!
 "The Road to Success is Education. Finishing college is the most important thing to me right now because no one in my family has ever done it. Going to [the TAFF class] has been the most positive, intense, rewarding setting I have ever been in. Making honest money will reduce the risk of throwing my life away. I want to be that role model that my children look up to. I hope completing college will inspire my family to better themselves and look at me to motivate their self-esteem and accomplishments. This is why finishing college is important to me."
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