The Literacy Council Wins National Support from AT&T By: Debra Des Vignes In commemoration of the 25th anniversary of the AT&T Foundation, the national philanthropic arm of the telecommunication corporation, AT&T employees were invited to recommend a charity they support and nominate that organization to receive a $25,000 grant. The winner for the third quarter contest of 2009 is Betty M. Wells, who nominated The Literacy Council, an organization she’s been involved with for ten years. “I thank AT&T for the opportunity to nominate one of my favorite charities in the area of education to receive this 25th Anniversary Grant,” Betty says. “The Council plans to use these funds to focus primarily on workforce and GED readiness; literacy in urban and rural areas; and partnering to provide financial literacy services—all vital components of a comprehensive regional literacy initiative plan.” During the ten years that she has been involved with The Literacy Council, Betty Wells has also read in schools, acted as a board member, contributed time and money, and served on the front lines of the fight against illiteracy. “The AT&T Foundation grant will allow The Literacy Council to continue implementing strategies from The Literacy Initiative, a strategic plan that evolved from task force committees consisting of nearly 300 community volunteers from multiple sectors,” says Julie Beckham, Executive Director of The Literacy Council. Each quarter, the contest will focus on one of four different areas of charitable giving: human services, arts/culture, education, and the environment. Fred McCallum, president of AT&T Alabama, says, “I am so proud of Betty and all the work she has done with the Literacy Council. Her hard work and dedication has really produced results, and I am pleased that the AT&T Foundation is supporting her and the Literacy Council in this worthwhile effort.”
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THE LITERACY COUNCIL | A Partner In Reading
LiteracyMatters Matters A PUBLICATION OF THE LITERACY
COUNCIL | FALL 2009 | VOLUME 18 | ISSUE 7
Helping Job Seekers Over a Big Hurdle: Prison Time By: Debra Des Vignes
Attendees at the Community Opportunities Fair.
On October 7th , The Literacy Council helped host the third annual Community Opportunities Fair, which exposed Birmingham’s ex-offender community to local sources for social services and jobreadiness programs. The record number of attendees queuing outside Boutwell Auditorium testified to the dire need for such an event. Approximately 550 exoffenders eagerly visited dozens of vendor booths featuring organizations like Birmingham Weed and Seed, The Dannon Project, M-Power Ministries, and The Literacy Council. The event was organized by Networking for a Brighter Future, a coalition of area agencies helping prisoners, ex-offenders, and their families successfully embark on productive post-release lives with decreased
chances of recidivism. Attendees also went through a crash course in job-readiness that included a résumé workshop, dress-for-success tips, and mock interviews. Representatives of local businesses were on hand to collect job applications. “It’s thrilling to see the enthusiasm and the relief as the success of the ex-offender becomes an accepted possibility and then... a reality,” says Bill Halligan, member of Networking for a Brighter Future. “One in 31 people in the United States are in prison, on probation, or paroled. They include our sons, daughters, parents, neighbors and friends. It is the right thing to do to help them reenter society successfully. And, the Community Opportunities Fair is just one way we can serve them,” says Halligan.
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BOAR D OF DI R EC TO R S THE LITERACY COUNCIL
is for Summit.
Chairman Keith A. Carter
2009 Literacy Summit
Vice Chairman Kristi Lamont Ellis
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2009
Secretary
HARBERT CENTER
John English Dr. Anne Radice
11:45 A.M.
Treasurer Betty M. Wells
Immediate Past Chairman Robin V. Sparks
At-large Members Jeff Adams Lee Zell
Board of Directors Carleton Ambrose Angela R. Segars Anderegg Lisa M. Beck Staci Brown Books Robert P. Bynum Paul Carruthers Scarlotte Deupree Kilgore Lou Kirchen Hernan Morano Virginia Patterson Felton Perry C. Ed Phillips Reneé Pugh A.C. Roper, Jr. Danny Stewart Sharon Donaldson Stuart Robert L. Swann Jera G. Stribling Susan Swagler Ashfaq Taufique Leigh Leigh Tortorici Cindy Warner David L. Warren Beth Wilder
Executive Director Julie Beckham 2301 First Avenue North, Suite 102 Birmingham, Alabama 35203 Phone: 205-326-1925 www.literacy-council.org
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The 15th annual Literacy Summit will be held on Monday, November 30th at The Harbert Center from 11:45 – 1:00 pm. The Literacy Council will honor community members who have made significant strides toward improved literacy in central Alabama. The keynote speaker is Dr. Anne Radice, Director of the Institute of Museum and Library Services. Tickets to the luncheon are $40 per person and $600 per table of eight. For more information contact Debra Des Vignes at (205) 326-1925 or 1-888-448-7323. You can also purchase tickets online at www.literacy-council.org.
ESOL Educator Conference Offers New Training Opportunity for Local Organizations By Theresa Sterling The Literacy Council’s first ESOL Educator Conference for VolunteerBased Programs took place Friday, October 30th at The Junior League of Birmingham. Fifty-six participants from twenty different organizations took advantage of this professional development opportunity for local volunteer programs and individual tutors serving English language learners. Sessions presented by staff members from UAB’s English Language and Culture Institute included topics like technology in the ESL classroom, strategies for teaching multi-leveled ESOL classes, and pronunciation instruction. Keynote addresses were given by Dr. Susan Spezzini of UAB’s ESL Teacher Education Program and Dr. Sue Seay of the Toyota Family Literacy Program in Shelby County. Evaluations for this inaugural event were very favorable, and The Literacy Council is excited to make this an annual conference serving local programs and educators.
ESOL Educator Conference attendees collaborate in one of the interactive sessions.
Dr. Susan Spezzini gives the morning keynote speech at the ESOL Educator Conference.
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COUNTY UPDATES
The Literacy Council County Updates By: Steve Hannum, Literacy Council Provider Services Manager
JEFFERSON COUNTY
United We Read The Literacy Council’s tenth annual United We Read program kicked off at nine Birmingham schools in September and October. United We Read is a reading awareness project that places adult volunteers in elementary schools to promote literacy and the joy of reading. Volunteer readers went into 28 classes and read to over 500 students. Each child who participated received a free copy of Toy Boat, Big Chickens, or The Mysterious Tadpole. United We Read challenges all adults to read with young children at home and in their communities. Next year United We Read will have a different look. The Literacy Council is extending our reach and will be partnering with Better Basics, The Junior League of Birmingham, and the Children’s Literacy Guild of Alabama to read to all 36 Birmingham City schools, grades K-5 (16,000 kids), on April 14th, 15th, and 16th from 12:30-2:30 p.m. This new effort is called Birmingham Reads, a program whose mission will be to distribute books to low-income children while raising awareness of child and adult literacy efforts. This program will consist of two major efforts – Birmingham’s Biggest Book Drive and United We Read. If you are interested in becoming a volunteer, please contact Debra Des Vignes at (205) 326-1925 or 1-888-448-7323 or ddesvignes@literacy-council.org.
Betty Wells, Literacy Council Board Member, reads to the first grade classroom at Minor Elementary School.
WALKER COUNTY
SHELBY COUNTY
The winners of The Literacy Council’s “Why I like to Read” writing contest will be announced on Tuesday, November 10th. A winner and four alternates have been chosen for each grade from first through fourth for both the county and city schools. All winners will receive a book and the first place winners will also receive a Cat in the Hat stuffed animal. Winners will also participate in Write a Letter to the Troops after the presentation. The Literacy Council – Walker County Chapter has two sets of note cards available for a $10.00 donation per set. The images in each set have been placed on The Literacy Council web site. Call the Jasper office at 205/387-0511, ext. 5792 for further information. The card sets are a cooperative effort of The Literacy Council and the Walker Arts Alliance. The final meeting of The Literacy Providers Network will be on Thursday, December 3rd at the Jasper Area Family Service Center. Several members of the United Way of Central Alabama will be guest speakers. A Lullaby Concert will be presented at the Jasper Public Library at 6:00 p.m. on Friday, December 4th. The Bevill State Music Department and Baby Talk are cooperating to provide the music as well as a Christmas book for each child present.
The Literacy Council will sponsor United We Read for students at Vincent Elementary later this fall. Volunteers will be reading the book Big Chickens. The Literacy Council recently hosted two roundtable discussions in Shelby County to discuss the county’s literacy needs. These discussions have already led to new literacy partnerships and the expansion of efforts. The Literacy Council is currently updating the literacy directory for the county and plans to conduct a needs survey before the end of the year.
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BLOUNT COUNTY The Literacy Council has hosted two roundtable discussions in Blount County. The first meeting focused on a discussion of literacy needs in the county and the second was an effort to expand children’s literacy programs. The Literacy Council hopes to create a Ready to Read program at the Oneonta Public Library in early 2010. It will be the sixth partnership for Ready to Read in The Literacy Council’s service area.
ST. CLAIR COUNTY The St. Clair County Chapter of The Literacy Council recently announced the hiring of Ted Seay as the Literacy Coordinator for the county. Ted has an accomplished and varied background in education and has served as a school principal, classroom teacher, and school bus driver. He holds degrees from Auburn University, the University of Alabama, and the University of Southern Mississippi. The St. Clair Board will also conduct a mail solicitation following this fall’s United Way drive.
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ON TH E F RO N T L I N ES
Tutor Trainer Spotlight By Theresa Sterling Falayda Castaneda didn’t plan on starting a literacy program earlier this year. When she first became interested in serving as a literacy tutor, she did so with the idea of simply helping her husband, a native Spanish speaker, with his reading skills. Falayda attended The Literacy Council’s basic literacy tutor training at Parker High School in January of this year. She braved that winter’s two coldest weeks to come from Pell City for four nights to complete the entire training. By mid-February, she was spending every Wednesday working with four learners in the conference room of the Pell City Public Library. She still tutors there weekly, now serving five learners. The library meetings have evolved into a solid program to which The Literacy Council refers learners and tutors from an area where no programs existed before. “They are always really nice about letting me use the library. If there is another group in there during my time slot, they move them out so we can work privately,” she said. Falayda has enjoyed seeing the progress and personal growth of her learners. She’s begun taking her students to yard sales to find inexpensive books to practice with. One student, 62 year-old Jimmy, delights in coming back from his own yard sale excursions to show Falayda his literary loot, something he says he never would have done before he began working with her. Jimmy also spoke for a few minutes at The Literacy Council’s last board meeting. “I was surprised when I told Jimmy I was asked to talk at the meeting. He said that sounded like something he would also want to come do.
He just never wants to do things like that or talk in front of people,” said Falayda during a recent phone conversation. When it was brought to her attention that it might be because she had helped instill confidence in Jimmy, and that he felt safe with and trusted her, there was silence on the other end. She said in a low voice, “I never thought of it like that.” Falayda may not realize the many ways she has impacted individuals and the community with her new endeavor, but the dramatic change in learners like Jimmy is evidence that, indeed, she has.
Castaneda, our featured Tutor Trainer, and husband.
TLC’s Executive Director Teams Up with Local Health Care Leadership Twenty local nonprofit professionals, including The Literacy Council’s Executive Director Julie Beckham, are currently participating as fellows in the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Ladder to Leadership program. The program, which is developing leadership through a partnership with the Center for Creative Leadership (CCL), consists of participants from nine cohort cities, including Birmingham. In addition to three leadership development sessions at CCL’s campus in Greensboro, North Carolina, participants have teamed up to address key health issues in the Birmingham community. Along with team members Maria Norena of UAB Minority Health & Health Disparities Research Center, Jeralyn Powell of Media For Health, and Sharon Elam of Safe Place, Julie is working to combine health literacy, health education, and health marketing to create graphic novels that target African-American middle school students in Birmingham city schools. The graphic novels will use comiclike illustrations to entertain and educate students about the prevention of teen pregnancy, STDs, drug abuse, and obesity. The project, which is scheduled to be completed in late 2010, will address The Literacy Initiative’s priority of providing educational health programs of schools.
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Julie Beckham (2nd from right, seated), Literacy Council Executive Director, joins other local nonprofit professionals for the Ladder to Leadership program.
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ON THE FRONT LINES
Dave Holt, right, tutors one of his Bessemer students.
Good Deeds in Tough Times Improve Literacy By: Debra Des Vignes At a time when many are desperately looking for work, Dave Holt sees the importance of giving back to his community by helping others improve literacy skills that are crucial to finding employment. Dave is a retired Air Force pilot turned high school math teacher in Atlanta. But circumstances recently placed him in Birmingham, on the lookout for new challenges. “I had a lot of opportunity to do something with myself. My wife was involved in a book club at the Bessemer Library. She came home and said this library is in great need…they have a beautiful building and there is so much potential.” Dave’s wife had soon created a used-book sale inside the library, as well as a Friends of the Library group to support library initiatives and raise funds. Dave remembered his own involvement with literacy in the Atlanta area, and felt inspired. “I found the power of
literacy rewarding… [And] there was a need for a literacy program at the Bessemer Public Library.” Dave contacted The Literacy Council. Luckily, his timing was just right for training through MPower Ministries. Soon he was reserving space at the Bessemer Public Library to accommodate him and a growing group of adult learners. “By that time, Beverly [Sansom] had a student for me. That person brought a friend and then all these people wanted to learn to read. [There was] a young man who was going to be a senior in high school but couldn’t read. He was hiding this all along. As soon as I finished training, I met with him everyday for three weeks until school started.” Dave dedicated himself to working six hours a day with that high school student, who he proudly says is now an excellent reader. “It was very intensive for him but
something he was capable of doing.” Dave currently works with seven students and hopes to double the tutoring force. He credits the community with some of his success: “I have wonderful cooperation from the Bessemer library,” he says. “All the folks at the library know who I am. They continue to tell me they have more learners for me to work with. It makes me feel like a servant in the most admirable way. There is a great need and I am just fortunate to have found a way that I can serve and help these people. We know these are tough times.” Tough times often also act as urgent calls to action. In Bessemer, Dave Holt is working hard to respond to the needs of his community. If you are interested in tutoring contact The Literacy Council at 205-326-1925 or 1-888-448-7323 or www.literacy-council.org.
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LI TE R ACY S U P P O R T E R S First through Third Quarters, 2009 Individuals Adams, Cathy and Tom Adams, Jeff and Tracey Ambrose, Carleton Anderegg, Angela Segars Andrews, Gladys Arnold, Barbara Ault, Lynn AT&T Alabama Bacchus, Lacey Bailey, Bob and Frances Bailey, Linda Balch, Carol Baldwin, Daniel Bates, Reeda Beckham, Julie Belcher, Mark Beverly, Karen Bennet, Susan Blodgett, Clark Blount, Shannon B. Boyeett, Stacy Bradford, James and Lyn Bradley, Merrill Camp, Valerie Canfield, Greg Carraway, Jennifer Carter, LaRue and Paul Chandler, Debbie Clohan, Dexanne Cohen Carnaggio Reynolds Cole, Don and Kay Coleman, Drew Cook, Lindsay Cooper, Hope Crump, Clarence Lee Daniel, Charles W. Davis, Janet
Davis, Priscilla Davis, W. Carl Denman, Joan E. Delene, Susan Culwell Dill, Johnny and Judy Dimick, Alan R. Donald, Charlotte Doss, L. Susan Dreher, Alan and Patricia Dutton, Doug Edmunds, Cathy Edwards, Michael Ellis, Ben and Kristi Lamont Ellis, Celia C. Ellis, Chalres and Jane English, John and Kathleen Epps, Antoinette Smith Feingold, Any Finely, Jen Folcher, Al and Sally Ford, Scott Freeman IV, Authur M. and Marie Freeman, Michael and Sherri Gagliano, Christopher George, Hunter Gaede, Nick and JoAnne Goodrich, Mr. and Mrs. T. Michael Grand, Kathleen K. Grooms, Jr., Harlan Hobart Harbert, Mr. and Mrs. Raymond J. Harbst, Dorothy Harrell, Roy Hastings, Marta Hiatt, Grant Hoene, Paul Holt, Dave Hughey, Jan Hurt, Jackie and Cecil
Hodgkins, W. Robert Hornsby, John and Virginia Hughes, Elaine Ingalls, Rebecca Jackson, Stephen and Cissy Jacobs, Ramona James, Karen James, Thomas and Myrtle Jemison Investment Company Jones, Ann and Carl Kimerling, Jon and Sheryl Kimmick, Frank and Alana Kutukasm, Carolyn Kamplain, Esta M. Lander, Phillips Landry, Ron Lauser, Gerald B. Lawley, Linda Leach, Bill and Joan Lesieur, Tracy Lewis, Sabrina Logan, Joan or Ashley Lowe, Roberta McAnnally, Dana Marshall, Catherine Martin, Richard and Denise Mardis, Johnathan K. Matthews, V. William and Elizabeth McClenathan, Brian McClure, Polly McClure, Sarah Clarke Meyer, Kim Michael, Max Mitchell, Anne Moorer, Mac Moore, Barbara Moore, Shawn Morrow, Hugh Muldrow, Chris and Tamara Nelson, Tonya Adams Newman, Joe and Charlene
Nichols, Alison Nicholas, Amy Noble, Patricia Nuckolls, Susan North, Dianne Odillon, James and Katherine Oliver, Susan O’Neil, Frank and Janet Ott, Karen B. Palmour, Steve and Mary Ann Patterson, Virginia Patterson, Tom and Carol Payne, Brianna Pearce, J. Wray Perry, Felton Perry, David Phillips, Ed and Joy Pinion-Smith, Kelly Powell, Tom and Lani Pugh, Renee Quarels, Linda Ramsey, Pringle Resha, Jr., Salem Rickey, David and Lisa Rivas, Helen Rogers, Mr. and Mrs. Bruce Roper, A.C. Rudolph, James Rumore, Jr., Samuel A. Sadler, Leslie Sanders, Jr., Carl Sayer, Dr. David Saxon, Elizabeth Schniper, Leigh and Jack Schrimsher, Zachary Scott, Cherie Scott, Karen Silas, Robert and Laura Shanks, Jean Smith, Ralph and Elizabeth Starnes, Stan and Joan
Share the Gift of Reading This Holiday Season By: Lani Powell As the owner of Truitt Insurance & Bonding, Tony Truitt knows the importance of reminding clients and colleagues of how vital they are to his success. So Tony always remembers them with year-end holiday gifts. When a friend let him know about The Literacy Council’s holiday cards, he thought that would be a great way to do two things at once—to let people
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L ITE RA CY SUPPORTER S Stoddard, Belle Strahan, Charles Smith, Jerry Smith, Lisa Smith, Jerry and Jane Steele, Judith Stephens, Betty Stribling, Jera Sullivan, M.P. Sullivan, Mary Swillie, Connie Syx, Dianne W. Swann, Robert Tortorici, Leigh Leigh Townsend, W. Scott Turnage, Benjamin and Melissa Underwood, Gary VanDurand, Tinsley Varnell, Will and Ruth Varner, Roderick Vernon, Linda Vowell, Scott and Cameron Walcott, Gregory and Katherine Walls, Lee and Jeanne Wagner, Linda Wamack, Jennifer Warden, Mary Webster, Sheldon and Susan Welden, Ed Wells, Robert and Betty M. Wentowsky, Barbara Wilder, Christopher and Beth Williams, Roger C. Woods, Judy Woodward, G.C. Wright, Eleanor Zell, Lee and DeLynn
Corporations al.com Altec/Styslinger
Alabama Telco Credit Union Alabama Press Association America’s First Federal Credit Union AT&T Alabama B.L. Harbert International, LLC Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama Bradly Arant Boult Cummings, LLP Brasfield & Gorrie, LLC Burger-Phillips Café Dupont Coca-Cola Bottling Company United, Inc. Cohen Carneggio Reynolds Corporate Realty Associates Dawson-Wallace Law Office Dutton Group, LLC – Prudential South O’Town Realty Duvall and Associates Energen Corporation Ergoscience Fitness Center of Montclair Enterprises Fix-Play Lofts Golden Flake Snack Foods, Inc. Hare, Wynn, Newell & Newton Java & Jams Jemison Investment Company, Inc. Jemison Flats Jim ‘N Nick’s Bar-B-Q Joe Piper, Inc. KBR Ladies’ Prayer Group of Pell City, Alabama Lawler Ballard Van Durand Limbaugh Toyota The Lofts of Goodall Brown McWane Science Center Montclair Enterprises Pearce, Bevill, Leesburg, Moore Property Managers Purrfect Pet Buddy
Regions Bank Re/Max Advantage Richard Tubb Interiors Rojo Rouge Tavern Southern Natural Gas St. Clair County Democratic Party Steel Stephen Bradley and Associates Superior Bank The UPS Store – City Center Tomeck’s, LLC Urban Standard Wal-Mart Welch, Hornsby & Welch The Wine Loft
Organizations AT&T Pioneers First United Methodist Church Telecom Pioneers Saint Martín de Porres
Foundations ABAHAC, Inc. Allstate Foundation Edwaldan Foundation Regions Charity Classic Foundation Susan Mott Webb Charitable Foundation Thompson Foundation Vulcan Materials Company Foundation
In Memory of / In Honor of Leach, Bill and Joan In Memory of Eloise Gray Tortorici, Leigh Leigh In Memory of Lloyd Burris Association of Fundraising Professionals In Honor of Maria Kennedy Blue Horizon Travel In Honor of Scarlotte Kilgore Children’s Policy Cooperative Speakers Gift, D. Des Vignes Herring, Sally In Honor of Mrs. Robert Walton Hiatt, Morris and Harmony In Honor of Grant D. Hiatt Kelley, Annah Lauren In Honor of Jean and Joe Whatley Leach, Bill and Joan In Honor of Frank Helderman Smith, Lisa In Honor of Melissa Turnage Steele, Judith In Honor of Lee Steele Wuska, Andrew T. In Honor of Jackie Wuska Hurt
Government City of Birmingham Councilor Johnathan Austin
know how much he appreciates them and to contribute to a good cause. For several years now, the people on his holiday card list have gotten beautiful cards letting them know that a contribution to The Literacy Council has been made in their honor. Tony has been delighted with how well these holiday cards are received. “People tell me how much they appreciate them and that this is truly the meaning of the holiday.” Tony knows that literacy is essential to the economic development of the state and he thinks that the holiday cards are “a great way to give something back.” He encourages everyone to do it. “The Literacy Council does a fantastic job, and I can’t stress enough how positive the feedback has been.” To send The Literacy Council’s holiday cards to your friends, colleagues, or clients, visit www.literacy-council.org or e-mail ddesvignes@literacy-council.org.
United Way of Central Alabama
Support the Literacy Council with your taxdeductible donation. Please use the enclosed envelope.
Fall 2009
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C A L E NDA R OF E V E NTS Announcing our third and final author for the
2009 Signature Series Tuesday, December 1 $125 per person Location: Mountain Brook (private home)
Kathryn Stockett | The Help Kathryn Stockett was born and raised in Jackson, Mississippi. After graduating from the University of Alabama with a degree in English and Creative Writing, she moved to New York City where she worked in magazine publishing and marketing for nine years. She currently lives in Atlanta with her husband and daughter. The Help is her first novel.
Community Literacy Events Event Name: Better Basics Fundraising Luncheon, The Heart for Literacy Luncheon Lunch will be served and students will speak about how Better Basics’ programs have made a difference in their lives. Event Description: Thursday, February 11, 2010 from 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm Place: The Club, located at 1 Robert S. Smith Drive, Birmingham, Alabama 35209 Price: Donations would be appreciated. Contact: Rachel Dresher, (205) 944-2928 ext. 302, or by email: devdir@betterbasics.org Event Name: English as Second Language for Individuals and Families Event Description: Basic through advanced classes for adults and babies. Children’s classes through sixth grade level. Time: 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm on Monday nights through December 7, 2009 Place: The Ministry Center at Green Springs, 2230 Green Springs Highway, Birmingham, Alabama (Fellowship Hall and Education Building) Price: The class is free. Enrollment is open. Contact: Please call (205) 326-1211 for more information. Event Name: Lullaby Concert, a joint presentation by The Literacy Council, Walker Co. Chapter; Babytalk; and Bevill State Department of Music Event Description: Young children are invited to wear their pajamas and slippers and bring their bedtime sleep buddies to listen to stories, lullabies, and Christmas carols sung by members of the Bevill State Music Department. Stories will also be read aloud. Prizes (with separate competitions for boys and girls) will be awarded for the following: Best Pajamas, Cutest Slippers, and Cutest Stuffed Animal. Each attendee will be given a book. Time: 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm Place: Jasper Public Library Price: Free Contact: Susie Elliott at (205) 387-0511, ext. 5792
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Event Name: Literacy Providers Network Meeting Event Description: Luncheon meeting for members of the LPN group Time: 11:45 am Place: Jasper Area Family Services Center Price: By invitation Contact: Susie Elliott at (205) 387-0511, ext. 5792 Event Name: Book Buddies Event Description: Individuals, groups, and clubs can contact The Literacy Council, Walker County Chapter to become a Book Buddy. Each Buddy is assigned a specific school and classroom. Buddies call the teachers to arrange times either to read to the students or listen as the students read to them. Time: negotiable Place: at the assigned school in either Jasper City Schools or Walker County Schools. Price: Free Contact: Susie Elliott at (205) 387-0511, ext. 5792. Event Name: The second annual Financial Literacy Education Summit Event Description: Financial educators are invited to come learn about behavioral economics; cultural approaches to financial education; payday lending; school-based financial education; financial social work, and much more. Time: Friday, December 4, 2009, 8:30 am – 4:00 pm Place: Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum Price: $50 for CAFEC Members $75 for Non-members Registration: Register online at www.uwca.org. Event Name: UAB Offers New Online Reading Certificate Event Description: The University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) School of Education now offers an online certificate in reading for K-12 teachers. The new reading-specialist certificate is for teachers interested in becoming reading coaches and for regular classroom teachers who provide reading instruction. Through this new course of study, students take 11 masters-level courses. Six of the courses are offered wholly online; five courses require attendance at approximately five campus sessions. Contact: kathmart@uab.edu or go to www.ed.uab.edu/readingspecialist/index/htm.
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