ARLINGTON READS

Live, Learn, Connect, GrowArlington, Texas

Arlington Reads is grate-ful to its partner March

of Dimes, whose generous donation of 2,000 books has reached many students. March of Dimes continues to sup-port Arlington Reads through a $500 grant, which has been used to purchase copies of Baby Basics, given to moth-ers attending Life Through Literacy classes.

On August 14, 2010, Arlington Reads hosted its inaugural 5K

walk/run, Book It for Literacy. Ninety-eight racers of all ages competed in the event, held at the beautiful River Legacy Park in north Arlington. The race was made possible by our part-

Book It for Literacy

March of Dimes Partnership

Above: Venture High School student Andrea Aguilar learns the importance of reading to her baby, Genesis Garcia, in her Life Through Literacy class.

ners, Arlington’s Departments of Parks and Recreation and Police and Fire, and by the generous donations given to us by The Runner, Whole Foods, and Costco. Mark your calen-dars for our 2nd annual 5K race on August 13, 2011.

in this issueOur Impact...........................2Minh’s Story.........................3Partners for Workplace Literacy.................................3Saving Lives through Literacy.............................4Giving Back to Arlington........5In the Words of our Students....................5VISTAs in Serviceto Arlington..........................6Life at Arlington Reads..........7

March 2011

TolearnmoreaboutArlingtonReads,call817‐275‐3321

Arlington Reads owes its success to the dedication of its students, vol-unteers, and community partners. In the fiscal year 2010, we made the following impact:

189 volunteers served their community through Arlington Reads.

4,923 hours were dedicated to Arlington Reads by our volunteers.

1,340 students participated in Arlington Reads’ programs.

is the total number of hours our students and volunteers spent working together.

ESL and Basic Literacy students advanced at least one level in English proficiency.

147 ESL and Basic Literacy students met a literacy goal.

83% of Learning Zone students passed to the next grade level.

of parents with children in Wee Reads say they have learned something new.

3 students passed the citizenship test.

3 students got their GED, contributing $135,000 to Arlington annually.

5 students obtained jobs.

families received free board books to help develop early childhood literacy skills.

Arlington Reads offers the following programs to the community:

Adult LiteracyESL and Basic LiteracyCitizenship Preparation

English Conversation CirclesOnline GED

Youth LiteracyThe Learning Zone

FitnessistasReader’s Theater

Junior High Tutoring

Workplace LiteracyTexas Industry Specific ESL

Computer Classes

Family LiteracyLife Through Literacy

Wee ReadsLee y Serás

Our Impact

When Rosaura Ambriz first came to Arlington Reads, she knew little English and had never graduated from high school. “My goals are to speak, understand, write, and read English,” she said.

Now, three years later, she speaks English so well that family members in Minnesota rely on her as an over-the-phone translator at the doc-tor’s office and the supermarket.

“It’s different now,” she says. “I can help my children with their homework.”

11,763

100%

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Meet Rosaura

Rosaura, with her daughter Dayana, who participates in Readers Theater, the Learning Zone, and Fitnessitas.

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orvisitourwebsiteatarlingtonreads.org

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Partners for Workplace LiteracyWith the generous support of

North Texas Future Fund and Texas Health Resources, Arlington Reads has expanded its workplace literacy programs into the commu-nity of Arlington. In February 2010, Arlington Reads began teaching English as a Second Language class-es and Texas Industry Specific Eng-lish as a Second Language classes to staff members of Arlington Memo-rial Hospital and Hyatt Place. The classes, which reach 26 adults, teach basic literacy skills, while concentrating on vocabulary specific to their students’ work-places. By focusing on job-oriented English, Arlington Reads and its partners hope to facilitate communi-cation between employees and cus-tomers. “Once the program started

we realized we were getting so much more,” Preston Miller, Human Resources Director for AMH, said. “[The participants] became more engaged in the organization and sought out every available learning opportunity. This program has given the participants a passion for learn-ing which cannot be recreated.” Results of a recent test mea-suring English proficiency show that 84% of students at Hyatt Place ad-vanced at least one level. Arlington Reads is grateful for the continued support that NTFF’s Vice President Carl Hecht and Vice President of Administration Valerie Hodges have provided for its workplace literacy initiatives. Employees at Arlington Memorial Hospi-tal study English after work.

Minh’s Story

Almost 238,000 adults in Tarrant County cannot read English well

enough to follow a bus schedule or read a story to their children. Minh Nguyen is no longer one of these adults. For the past 16 years, Minh has lived in Arlington, unable to speak, read, or write in English. Encouraged by her husband and children, who speak the language fluently, Minh enrolled in three English as a Second Language classes at Arlington Reads. When asked what has moti-vated her to keep up her studies for three years, Minh insists, “If I learn, I can help others.” She speaks enthusias-tically about her Texas Industry Specific English as a Second Language course, where she practices the healthcare- related terms that will help her reach her long-term goal: to become a pa-tient-intake coordinator at a hospital. More important, however, she says knowing English allows her to better care for her children. Because of her classes at Arlington Reads, Minh is not only able to read stories to her son and daughter, ages 7 and 10, but she can also help them with their home-work. With this in mind, she laughs easily when her children tell friends that “mommy goes to school, too.”

Minh, reviewing vocabulary words.

Saving Lives through Literacy

Clockwise, from left: VISTAs Kim Tran (center) and Virginia Tran (left) lead parenting and expecting teen moms in a song that teaches children vowel sounds; Life Through Literacy student Melina Flores practices asking her daugh-ter, Sophia, critical thinking ques-tions about the ball she’s playing with; Kim (right) instructs moms to identify the title of a book before reading it to their children; Life Through Literacy founder Joe Bruner (left) awards the Arlington Public Library with a $5,000 dona-tion from the Arlington North Rotary Club and the Life Through Literacy Foundation, to be used to support Arlington Reads’ Life Through Literacy classes.

Studies shows that more babies die each year in Arlington than

in almost any other city in Texas. Arlington Reads has joined forces with Arlington Independent School District, local non-profit Life Through Literacy, the Arlington North Rotary Club, and Rotary District 5790 to fight infant mortality. Arlington Reads’ Life Through Literacy program seeks to counter one of the leading causes of infant mortality -- poor mater-nal health -- by educating new and expecting teen moms about prenatal care, healthy lifestyle choices, mater-nity resources in the community, and early childhood literacy. Reaching more than 60 students in seven local high schools, Life Through Literacy teaches students how to care for their babies and create lasting bonds through reading, singing, and playing. Life Through Literacy founder Joe Bruner sees the program as a way to “create productive families” while reducing the rate of infant mortality and illiteracy. “Of all the issues facing our

city,” he says, “I cannot think of one more serious than the potential loss of life of a baby. The issue is forced to become merely a statistic. We are standing up for them.” The teens attending the pro-gram speak of how much they have learned. Christina Cruz, an expect-ing mom and senior at Venture High School, says, “Point out the front, cover, and spine of the books. These are skills children need to learn before school. I have learned the importanceof engaging both sides of the brain and to read a book over

port the purchase of a laptop com-puter and LCD projector, used when conducting Life Through Literacy classes in Arlington ISD high schools.

“Of all the issues facing our city, I cannot think of one more serious than the potential loss of life of a baby.” -- Joe Bruner

and over again for my baby to learn.” When asked if they would recommend the classes to others, 100 per-cent emphatically said yes. Through the gener-ous donations of Life Through Literacy, Arling-ton North Rotary Club andRotary District 5790, Arlington Reads has been able to purchase cop-ies of “Baby Basics” for each student in the program. Funding from these organizations has also helped sup-4

Giving Back to ArlingtonVolunteer ESL teacher Seth

Bailey remembers a time when he spent long days in the li-brary, enjoying the luxury of time that retirement offers. One day, amid the silence of the library, he heard a distressed voice trying to communicate in French. Fluent in the language, Seth approached the man to help, unaware that this experience would change his life. Seth quickly learned that the man and his wife had recently immigrated from West Africa, having won a visa through the lottery system. With no knowl-edge of English, the couple faced a daily struggle to adjust to life in Arlington. The experience of seeing this couple burdened by their inability to communicate with those around them motivated Seth to volunteer with Arlington Reads. Seth describes teaching as “the best thing that’s ever hap-

pened” to him. In his classes, he focuses on the practical applica-tion of English. After teaching his students to write their addresses and telephone numbers, for ex-ample, he asks them to fill out the relevant sections of a job applica-tion. Seth’s goal as a teacher is to help his students become indepen-dent in everyday life and to impart a love of reading and discovering new things. “Arlington Reads fills a great need for programs servicing immigrants,” Seth says. “Pro-gramming takes place with stu-dents in mind. The students who seek out Arlington Reads have the will and drive to learn, they just need a teacher.” The dedication Seth sees in his students motivates him to keep teaching. “This is my call-ing,” he says, “my gift back to the community.”

In the Words of our Students

Catherine,

I just wanted to say thank you to you and this program. While I have not personally met you, I have met Yoko, and a few other people who have made this journey so positive. I have my own personal struggles with feeling humiliated, having to get my GED, and even having to confess to my 14 year old, mom is not perfect! It was very hard to tell my son, but he is my biggest supporter (along with my husband). I just wanted you to know, that EVERYONE, I have

The following message was sent to Arlington Reads’ Workforce Literacy Coordinator Catherine Wilson from a student in our GED program.

Seth Bailey (left) instructs his ESL students. “Keep working,” he said. “You can do it.”

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come in contact with, through the Arlington Reads program, so far, has made me feel very comfortable, motivated, and good about the pro-cess. Especially Richard, the com-munication in his class as well as the emails he sends, makes you (and hopefully everyone in class) feel like he not only wants you to succeed in math, but to genuinely succeed pe-riod. I appreciate his time, it means alot. Just wanted to thank you, for having such good people helping

with the program who don’t make you feel stupid or inferior, that was a huge concern of mine, but after meeting Yoko that first day to sign up, I felt her sincerity in wanting to help me. Her enthusiasm in the ori-entation class was wonderful! Even your emails, indicate the “want” to help everyone learn..... very refresh-ing!

Thanks again! Maria

VISTAs in Service to Arlington

When Arlington Reads was first estab-lished as the literacy branch of the

Arlington Public Library, it was staffed by one AmeriCorps VISTA, or Volunteer in Ser-vice to America. Today, Arlington Reads is home to nine VISTAS, who have expanded its programming from one early childhood literacy class to 13 programs, which span youth, adult, family, and workplace literacy. VISTA leader Kayce Green has spent nearly two years dedicated to Arlington Reads. Raised in Missouri, Kayce was drawn to the opportunity to work with a literacy organization by her desire to learn how to best serve others. In college, she had worked with refugees, teaching English as a Second Language and preparing her students to sell items at a farmer’s market. At Arlington Reads, Kayce has focused her attention on developing teen and “tween” literacy programs. Through her Junior High tutoring sessions and Reader’s Theater program, she helps her students not only build their reading and writing skills but also gain self-confidence. “It’s small communities we’re helping,” she says. By helping young adults to become literate, Arlington Reads is breaking the cycle of poverty.

When Kayce’s second year of service ends in February, she hopes to pursue the field of human rights. “Education ties so much into human rights,” she says. Often, “ESL students get taken advantage of because they are scared, they don’t speak Eng-lish, and they aren’t citizens.” For now, Kayce is work-ing to ensure that Arlington Reads serves the community well into the future. She hopes to

leave behind a math and science-based youth technology center, where college and high school students introduce junior high students to the branches of engineering. Arlington Reads is thankful for her dedication to the community of Arlington. AmeriCorps VISTA is the national service program dedicated to fighting poverty. For more information, visit www.americorps.gov.

VISTAs Kayce Green (far right) and Rachel Foster (far left) pose with their Reader’s Theater students.

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Right column, descending: VISTA Catherine WilsonWorkplace Literacy Coordinator

VISTA Kaley HortonLearning Zone Coordinator

VISTA Kim TranSpecial Programs Coordinator

VISTA Rachel FosterLearning Zone Coordinator

Center left: VISTA Cheirieamour Smith, Workplace Literacy CoordinatorCenter column, descending: Yoko Matsumoto, Library Service Manager - Literacy, Glory Dalton, Programming Specialist, Mary Arnold, Literacy Coordinator (Not pictured: Ivonne Kieffer and Dyan Anderson, Programming Specialists)

Left column, descending: VISTA Lori FrolaPublic Relations Coordinator

VISTA Rebekah WelchVolunteer and Student Coordinator

VISTA Virginia TranSpecial Programs Coordinator

VISTA Kayce GreenVISTA Leader

Meet Our Staff

DONORS & SPONSORS

Friends of Arlington Reads

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Arlington Reads’ literacy programs are funded entirely through grants and donations. We would like to sincerely thank all of our sponsors, donors, and partners, who make our work possible.

FIRE DEPARTMENTArlington, TX

PARTNERS

Debbie ViraghDADS Advisory Fund

Sandra BrownLife Through Literacy

7Arlington Unitarian Universalist Church

St. Joseph the Apostle Church

Joe BrunerLibraries for Literacy

NTRLS

Above: VISTA Rachel Foster reads with her Learning Zone student Edwin Alvarado.

Right: Learning Zone student Kevin Palacios practices reading strategies with his tutor, Quaneshala Johnson.

Left: ESL student Yanping Ling (right) works with tutor Ryan Gal-lagher to improve his speaking skills.

Make a Difference!

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Arlington Reads empowers children and adults to break the cycle of poverty and underachievement. We need your support to continue our work. By becoming a volunteer, you can improve the lives of others through the power of education. No previous teaching experience is required.

Make a Difference!

Above: In Life Through Literacy class, par-ents practice songs that their babies will love to sing along to!

Right: Reader’s Theater participants Steve Avila, Paola Cepeda, Luna Shqeir, and Aidee Barajas perform the script they have written for the book “Peter Pan.”

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Other Ways to Help If tutoring is not for you, please consider giving in one of the following ways:

Purchase an item on our Amazon Wish List. Find the link at arlingtonreads.org.

Become a sponsor or participant in our annual Book It for Literacy 5K Race and Fun Run.

Host a book drive at your church or workplace. We have bags avail-able for collection.

Did you have a favorite book as a child? Share it through donation.

Challenge your friends on Facebook to pledge a small donation on the Arlington Reads Facebook page.

Donate online at arlingtonreads.org or call 817-275-3321.

“The best part of this opportunity is that Arling-ton Reads offers flexible schedules and formats for the volunteer. You want to teach a small class? They got you covered. You want to be a one-on-one tutor? They can get you set up with that, too. I encourage you to inquire.”

-- Ryan Gallagher, ESL Tutor

Join Us!arlingtonreads.org

facebook.com/arlingtonreads

twitter.com/ArlingtonReads

flickr.com/arlingtonreadstx

Yes! I support Arlington literacy programs

I would like to volunteer with: I would like to donate a tax-deductible gift of: Adults Early Childhood Learning (0-4 years) $10 $50 Children (grades 1-3) Other Duties $25 $100 Other amount of $__________________ Donor/Volunteer Contact Information Name:_________________________________ Address:_____________________________ City:____________________ State:_______ Zip:________ Phone:__________________________________ Email:_______________________________________

Payment Options Check is attached (made payable to the Arlington Public Library Foundation) Credit Card (circle one) AMEX VISA MC Disc Name as it appears on card:___________________________________ Card #:_______________________________ Exp. Date:____________ Signature:____________________________ Date:________________

Mail to: Arlington Public Library attn. Arlington Public Library Foundation101 East Abram Street

Arlington, TX 76010817-459-6900