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SPECIAL EVENTS RECAP COUNTY UPDATES ON THE FRONT LINES LITERACY SUPPORTERS
The Literacy Council’s ESOL Educator Conference for Volunteer-Based Programs By: Theresa Sterling, Helpline Services Manager/ ESOL Specialist The inaugural English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) Educator Conference for Volunteer-Based Programs will be October 30th at The Junior League of Birmingham. The conference targets small organizations and individual volunteer tutors who serve English language learners in Central Alabama. The event focuses on bringing together the myriad research and pedagogic talent present in Birmingham to increase knowledge of ESOL best teaching practices across programs in order to maintain high quality instruction for English language learners (ELLs) in our community. The ESOL Educator Conference provides professional development opportunities for program staff and volunteers working for providers that often do not participate in national, regional or state Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) conferences. The targeted participants have historically struggled with finding funds for larger-scale professional development opportunities such as annual TESOL conferences. The national TESOL conference is normally out of state, and the state and regional conferences are usually within driving distance but fill two days. For smaller programs or individuals, registration fees, travel and hotel expenses are often barriers to attending and engaging in valuable professional development, a key to program improvement and sustainment. Because 75% of ESOL providers in The Literacy Council’s service area are community based organizations, faith-based programs, small non-profit agencies, or individual volunteer tutors not affiliated with programs, there is a definite need to provide this group of educators with valuable professional development equal to that available to educators from formal, system-bound, or governmentsupported programs. The Literacy Council plans to make the ESOL Educator Conference for VolunteerBased Programs an annual professional development aligned with its mission of strengthening and supporting organizations and individuals providing literacy services in Central Alabama.
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THE LITERACY COUNCIL | A Partner In Reading
LiteracyMatters Matters A PUBLICATION OF THE LITERACY
COUNCIL | SUMMER 2009 | VOLUME 18 | ISSUE 6
Never Too Late
At Age 42, Program Beneficiary Prepares to Give Back to the Community By: Debra DesVignes, Marketing & Events Manager
Gabriella and Deanette Adelmann. Photo courtesy of Joy Wright Photography.
Deanette Adelmann felt something missing in her life since she dropped out of high school more than two decades ago. “You just don’t feel complete without it,” she says, referring to a high school diploma. Adelmann left high school in the tenth grade after getting involved with the wrong crowd. At 27, she had her first child and worked a series of odd jobs to help support her family. Eventually becoming a stay-at-home mom, she felt no special sense of urgency to acquire her diploma. But recently, the economic downturn has resulted in less work hours for her husband, and her son is now in the tenth grade – the point at which Adelmann abandoned her own education. Adelmann says she decided to set a good example and invest in herself and her family by obtaining her General Educational Diploma (GED). In April of 2009, Adelmann enrolled in GED classes at Jeff State in Pell City. There she met Sara Beth Blair, an adult education instructor and a board member of The Literacy Council’s St. Clair County chapter. “Working with Deanette was a pleasure, as she was selfmotivated and diligent,” Blair says. “In class, she set an example of what it takes to get your GED, especially [for] the younger students, who
are often easily distracted.” “Someone needs to believe you can do it, even if you don’t,” Blair says about the determination required to absorb all the knowledge gained in high school without the traditional support, discipline, and insistence of parents and teachers. “Few can survive on minimum wage, and to get a job with good pay and benefits, education is a must,” Blair says. Because Adelmann passed all of her practice tests in class, she was eligible for The Literacy Council’s Jackie Wuska Hurt GED Scholarship. The scholarships are vital to many students who struggle to raise the $50 registration fee. After two months of hard work, Adelmann took the GED and passed all subjects the first time. In the fall, Deanette will start college courses with a goal of becoming a nurse. “With today’s economy, you need to prepare for the future. I’m 42 and starting college,” she says, smiling at the thought. For more information about The Literacy Council Jackie Wuska Hurt GED Scholarship Program contact The Literacy Council at 205-326-1925 or 1-800-448-7323 or log onto www.literacy-council.org.
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BOAR D OF DI R EC TO R S
Chairman
Special Events Promote Literacy and Raise Money for Programs
Keith A. Carter
By: Debra DesVignes, Marketing & Events Manager
Vice Chairman
We are excited to announce the success of several Literacy Council events. The Friends of Literacy (young patrons group) had its first Scrabble Tournament on May 26th. The event, which drew beginners and advanced players – including members from the Scrabble Association’s local chapter, who came out to support our cause. All proceeds from events benefit area literacy programs. The Friends of Literacy anticipate the Scrabble Tournament being a recurring event. On June 6th, The Literacy Council held its 10th annual Historic Footnotes Loft Tour. Attracting hundreds of patrons, The Loft Tour, a self-guided walking tour in Birmingham’s downtown loft district, featured 14 distinctive and high-end lofts. The Literacy Council offered its first-ever VIP pass that included benefits from several businesses. Lofts featured on the tour included Jemison Flats, City Federal Condominiums, and Burger-Phillips Lofts. Major sponsors included City Councilman Johnathan Austin and developer Tom Carruthers. This unique fundraiser benefits The Literacy Council’s efforts in reducing illiteracy. The 2009 Signature Series author reception kicked off with Frank Stitt, chef and owner of Highlands Bar and Grill, Bottega Restaurant and Café and Chez Fonfon. Mr. Stitt discussed his latest cookbook Bottega Favorita. The second author reception featured Warren St. John, author of Outcasts United and Rammer Jammer Yellow Hammer: A Journey into the Heart of Fan Mania. The third and final author in the 2009 Signature Series is Kathryn Stockett on Tuesday, December 1st at 6:30 p.m. The location is TBA. Kathryn is the author of The Help. 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. For more information about Literacy Council events call (205) 326-1925 or 1-888-448-7323 (READ) or log onto www.literacy-council.org.
THE LITERACY COUNCIL
Kristi Lamont Ellis
Secretary John English
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. Leslie Sadler 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
Scrabble Tournament. Loft Tour 2009. Photo Courtesy of Deanna Andrepont.
Executive Director Julie Beckham
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Signature Series 2009. Daryl Brown, Frank Stitt, Denise Brown. Photo courtesy of Robert Devine Photography.
Signature Series 2009. Shannon Blount, John English, Debbie Chandler, Frank Stitt. Photo courtesy of Robert Devine Photography.
8/7/2009 11:00:09 AM
COUNTY UPDATES
The Literacy Council County Updates By: Steve Hannum, Literacy Council Provider Services Manager
JEFFERSON COUNTY
Representatives from The Literacy Council met with Blount County leaders at the Hope House in Oneonta to discuss creating a strategic plan for literacy in Blount County. Photo courtesy of Kennith Wilson.
BLOUNT COUNTY
ST. CLAIR COUNTY
Several of Blount County’s leaders recently met at Oneonta’s Hope House, a social service agency that provides a wide variety of programs and activities for county residents, to discuss literacy issues. The meeting was planned as an opportunity to hear county residents’ perspectives on where The Literacy Council should focus its efforts. Many in the group considered the meeting to be a further extension and localization of the Literacy Initiative-A Regional Plan for Regional Action. The Blount County group has decided to resurrect the currently inactive Blount County Literacy Council and is planning additional meetings to continue discussions and make future plans to advance literacy in the county. Meeting attendees included Jack Housch, superintendent of Blount County Schools; Mitchie Neel of the Blount County Education Foundation; Bud Jones, the Executive Director of the Hope House; Javier Morales of the Telemon Corporation; Ron Gholson of The Blount Countian.
The St. Clair County Chapter of the Literacy Council will be hosting their next tutor training in Pell City in September. The Chapter is hoping to recruit and train 20 new tutors. The Chapter is also poised to begin searching for a new part time Literacy Coordinator for the county. On a sad note, Pat Parker, Board Member and past President of the St. Clair Chapter, passed away on July 19 after a bout with cancer. Pat had been very instrumental in the growth of the chapter and worked closely with a variety of literacy programs. She will be missed.
SHELBY COUNTY The Literacy Council will be seeking out community leaders in Shelby County to undergo a strategic planning process for the county. VISTA Tiffany Brown is currently taking inventory of existing literacy programs to help identify overlap and gaps in service. The Literacy Council is also hosting an August tutor training at a new program – the New Jerusalem Christian Church in Calera – This group will begin helping struggling adult readers in the fall.
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WALKER COUNTY VISTA volunteers Brianna Giles and Jessica Putman have visited parents of newborns in the local hospital as a part of the Baby Talk project. Additionally the girls have visited the Bevill State Kids Kollege and distributed books to each student. The summer reading program at the Jasper Public Library is another venue where the VISTAS are providing assistance at weekly events. Both workers volunteer at the Jasper Area Family Service Center assisting other non-profit agencies. The Walker County chapter also participated in the annual Art in the Park event during which approximately 200 books were given away to young attendees. About one thousand people visited the booth to learn more about The Literacy Council that day. Walker County Reads, a continuation of Jasper Reads and funded by a grant from the Appalachian Regional Commission, began on the first of July. The grant funds are used to promote reading in the county with emphasis on training tutors who will provide one-on-one assistance to persons desiring to improve their reading. Babysitting is provided for learners with young children.
Representatives from two new groups in Jefferson County recently met with the Literacy Providers Network to discuss their upcoming efforts. Charity in Action is a Fairfield based non-profit that has been sponsoring programs that teach parenting skills. They recently decided to expand their efforts to include literacy and will begin training tutors in August. Their program is volunteer-based and was formed in 2004. Also at the Literacy Providers Network meeting were representatives from the University of Alabama in Birmingham that are seeking partners in a grant-based effort to create more opportunities for residents in Tarrant. Among their goals is the expansion of after-school programs. Earlier this year, the World of Opportunity (WOO) lost their Gate City facility and were forced to look for a new site for operations. WOO is a nationally recognized non-profit that has helped hundreds of Birmingham’s neediest residents improve their literacy skills, obtain a GED, and prepare for employment. Fortunately, they recently partnered with Grace Episcopal Church in Woodlawn and are planning to resume activities in August. The World of Opportunity is also currently undergoing a strategic plan. The Literacy Council has partnered with WOO for many years. Birmingham will soon have a new program for homeless men called the Changed Lives Christian Center. The new 142 bed facility is located off Finley Avenue near ACIPCO. The Literacy Council is working with CLCC to provide literacy programs for their participants. CLCC is hoping to officially begin operations in early 2010.
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ON TH E F RO N T L I N ES
A Second Chance at a First Try By: Theresa Sterling, Helpline Services Manager/ESOL Specialist Ronnie Chatman’s present path in life has guided him, in some ways, back to his past. Chatman, who is retired from the Social Security Administration, knows he wouldn’t have accomplished as much in life as he has without the encouragement and mentoring of another person back when he thought he had few options. “I used to cut grass for a neighbor lady. One day she asked me what I was going to do after I graduated high school,” says Chatman. “I had no idea I would go to college; I knew my parents couldn’t send me.” It turned out that the woman’s son, an attorney, was on the board of directors at Mary Holmes Junior College in West Point, Mississippi. Chatman contacted him. “He recommended me so I could attend. While I was at Mary Holmes I got an academic scholarship to Stillman College, and finished my degree there,” says Chatman, who grew up in Smithfield. He knows that without his neighbor and that opening into another world, his life could have turned out vastly differently. Chatman hopes he is doing the same thing for 41 year-old Roderick, the learner he’s tutored since April. “I enjoy tutoring Roderick so Ronnie Chatman much. I look forward to it because I
see how important it is for him,” he says. “He wants to help his kids with school work. He’s doing this for his family. When I see the value he places on learning, we just have to do more. It’s so fundamental.” In a way, Chatman has been a teacher for years, although not professionally. He mentors at Trinity Baptist Church and worked with a child at Hemphill Elementary School. During his career at the SSA, he gave workshops and trainings and always enjoyed it and got good feedback. Like other good teachers, he takes delight in the look on a person’s face when they learn something new. Chatman’s wife, who works for the Birmingham Board of Education, brought home a newsletter that mentioned The Literacy Council’s basic literacy tutor training workshop at A.H. Parker High School, his alma mater. He thought tutoring would be a good way to give back, to help someone have a chance. After the 12-hour workshop, Chatman attended additional training at M-Power Ministries to learn about incorporating faith-based materials into his tutoring work. M-Power matched him with Roderick, and the pair meets weekly at Trinity Baptist. About their meetings, Chatman says, “The icing on the evening is getting to the blessed part.” Chatman says he knows that shame complicates the practical problems of adult illiteracy, and says it’s easy to see how this happened to Roderick. But he keeps in mind a saying he once heard: People should not fault you for what you were, but for what you refuse to be. Some folks need another chance; some just need that first one.
Ready to Read Program Receives National Attention By: Janine Langston The Birmingham Public Library was selected to participate in the 2009 Diversity and Outreach Fair at the American Library Association’s Annual Conference in Chicago Illinois on July 11, 2009. This annual event routinely celebrates extraordinary examples of diversity and equity of access in America’s libraries, with multiple ideas for local libraries in search of “diversity” and “outreach-in-action” programs and services. The Birmingham Public Library’s exhibit featured the Ready to Read program. Conference attendees from all over the United States were presented with information about this program designed for adults ages 18 and over who want to improve
Diane Blaylock and Mary Warden. Photo courtesy of Mike Casey.
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their reading skills. The Library received an Honorable Mention award for the attractive and informational display. For several years Birmingham Public Library partnered with The Literacy Council to match tutors trained by the Literacy Council with learners. Once matched, the tutors and learners met at a convenient public library. Unfortunately there were more learners needing tutoring than available tutors. A waiting list for tutors began. After some time, a new way to serve the learners was instituted. Instead of matching one on one, two meeting times were established at the Five Points West Branch, 6:00 pm Tuesday night and 10:00 am Thursday morning. The sessions are called “Ready to Read.” Tutors and learners are directed to meet at these times. Under the leadership of library employees Jean Shanks and Diane Blaylock this arrangement turned out to be quite successful for all. After a year the Literacy Council assigned Mary Warden, a VISTA volunteer coordinator, to the project. Also, at this time Lawson State Community College joined the partnership by writing and securing a federal grant. Books, laptop computers and office supplies for each location were purchased with the grant funds. The program was soon expanded to six sessions at five branch libraries thanks to the VISTA volunteer coordinator and Lawson State’s materials. Ready to Read is an excellent example of how three agencies partnered to meet a community need. The result is a program that achieves more than each agency could alone. Ready to Read provides the community with a simple way for learners to reach their literacy goals. There is no longer a waiting list which was a burden for both the Literacy Council and Lawson State. Also learners who are not yet ready for formal GED classes have a place to learn. The Library benefits by promoting its resources and services to the learners and tutors.
8/7/2009 11:00:12 AM
ON THE FRONT LINES
Camp HOPE Lives Up to Its Name By: Debra DesVignes, Marketing & Events Manager Through Better Basics’ Camp HOPE, a 21st Century Community Learning Center, children in the Fairfield community are given the opportunity to attend nine funfilled weeks of summer camp, where they learn about art, rocketry, health, computer, music, and literacy in a creative and nurturing environment. The program, which is available for children who have completed kindergarten through eighth grade, also incorporates book giveaways. A recent study shows that, while in middle-income neighborhoods the reaction of books per child is 13 to 1, in low-income neighborhoods the ratio is one to every 300 children. (Neuman, Susan B. and David K. Dickinson, ed. Handbook of Early Literacy Research, Volume 2. New York, NY: 2006, p. 31.) Gus Harper, Jr . and Family. Photo courtesy of Joy Wright Photography. In June, seventy anxious campers packed their bags and said goodbye to loved ones as they embarked on an incredible experience. “It is providing affordable quality childcare for families of Fairfield,” says Better Basics director Karen Kapp, who was able to get funding for this camp through a grant specifically for children who attend Robinson Elementary and Forest Hills Middle Hill schools in Fairfield. Camp HOPE also works with the Bessemer Feeding Program that provides meals for the day. “The children are excited and thrilled, and they don’t want to leave at the end of the day,” says Kapp. Gus Harper, Jr. is raising his two grandchildren—Marquis, nine years old, and Cristal, six years old—and says this camp has meant so much to them. “It is very affordable and educational for the children…I notice they have learned a lot since they [started] going. It is an amazing camp.” “For someone like Mr. Harper, an elderly gentleman who is tired but still wants to provide the best for his grandchildren, it is really helping him tremendously,” says Kapp. She recalls when young camper Cristal Jefferies asked her if she could take a book home. When Kapp consented and offered another book to Gus Harper, his response was, “Ms. Kapp you are going to make me cry.” “We are really making a difference for folks out there and believe this experience translates to [developing] more productive citizens,” says Kapp. For more information on Camp HOPE contact Better Basics at 205-944-2928 x309 or dclark@betterbasics.org.
Twin sisters enjoy reading time with one of the Camp HOPE Counselors.
This young student enjoys computer time at Camp HOPE.
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Spring 2009
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8/7/2009 11:00:13 AM
LI TE R ACY S U P P O R T E R S First & Second Quarters, 2009 Individuals Adams, Tom and Cathy Adams, Jeff and Tracey Anderegg, Angela Segars Andrews, Gladys Arnold, Barbara Ault, Lynn Bailey, Linda Bailey, Robert and Mary Balch, Carol Baldwin, Daniel Bates, Reeda Beckham, Julie Belcher, Mark Bennett, Susan E. Beverly, Karen Blount, Shannon B. Blodgett, Clark Boyett, Stacy Bradford, James and Lyn Canfield, Greg Carter, Paul and LaRue Carraway, Jennifer Clohan, Dexanne Chandler, Debbie Cole, Don and Kay Coleman, Drew Cooper, Hope Cook, Lindsay Crump, Clarence Lee Daniel, Chalres W. Davis, Janet
Davis, W. Carl Delene, Susan Culwell Dimmick, Alan Donald, Charlotte Doss, Susan Dreher, Alan and Patricia Dutton, Doug Edwards, Michael Ellis, Ben and Kristi Lamont Ellis, Charles and Jane Ellis, Celia C. Emunds, Cathy English, John and Kathleen Epps, Antionette Smith Feingold, Andy Felton, Perry Finely, Jen Ford, Scott Freeman, Michael and Sherri Freeman IV, Authur and Marie Gaede, Nick and Joanne Gagliano, Christopher George, Hunter Goodrich, T. Michael Grand, Kathleen K. Harbert, Katheryn Harbst, Dorothy Harrell, Roy Hastings, Marta Hoene, Paul Holt, Dave Hornsby, John and Virginia
Hughes, Elaine Hugley, Jan Hurt, Cecil and Jackie Jackson, Stephen and Cissy Jacobs, Ramona James, Karen James, Thomas and Myrtle Jones, Ann Kamplain, Esta M. Kennedy, Maria Kimerling, Jon & Sheryl Kutukasm, Carolyn Lauser, Gerald B. Lander, Phillip Landry, Ron Lawley, Linda Lesieur, Tracy Lewis, Sabrina Logan, Joan and Ashley Lowe, Roberta Mardis, Johnathan K. Marshall, Catherine Martin, Richard and Denise Matthews, William and Elizabeth Meyer, Kim McClenathan, Brian McClure, Polly McClure, Sarah Clarke Michael, Max Mitchell, Anne Moore, Barbara Moore, Mac Moore, Shawn Muldrow, Chris and Tamara Nelson, Tonya Adams Newman, Joe and Charlene
Nicholas, Amy North, Dianne O’Neil, Frank and Janet Ott, Karen B. Patterson, Tom and Carolyn Patterson, Virginia Payne, Brianna Pearce, J. Wray Perry, David Perry, Felton Dr. Pinion-Smith, Kelly Phillips, Ed and Joy Powell, Tom and Lani Pugh, Renee Purrfect Pet Buddy Quarels, Linda Ramsey, Pringle Resha Jr., Salem Rickey, Dave and Lisa Rogers, Bruce Roper, A.C. Rudulph, James Rumore, Samuel and Pat Sanders, Carl Jr. Sadler, Leslie Saxon, Elizabeth Sawyer, Dr. David T. Scott, Cherie Scott, Karen Schniper, Jack and Leigh Schrimsher, Zachary Shanks, Jean Silas, Robert and Laura Smith, Jerry and Jane Smith, Ralph and Elizabeth Strahan, Charles
Doug Dutton, A Longtime Partner in Reading By: Lani Powell, Development Manager
Doug Dutton
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In 1991, when Doug Dutton was asked to serve on a new committee being formed by the United Way of Central Alabama, the Junior League of Birmingham, and the Birmingham Chamber of Commerce to address the issue of illiteracy in Central Alabama, he had no idea how many lives they would impact. Dutton learned that while many service organizations were trying to help people learn to read, there was not an organization serving as a coordinating body for literacy programs and nothing in place to raise public awareness of the effect Central Alabama’s high illiteracy rate was having on its ability to grow and attract business. He felt that the illiteracy rate in Birmingham and in all of Alabama was “alarming” and that something had to be done to keep his community competitive. He says that when he learned the extent of the problem it “pulled at my heart strings” and that tackling it was the humane thing to do, though he acknowledges that battling illiteracy is frankly “self-serving from a business standpoint because a literate community is critical to attracting business.” “It suited me to a tee,” says Dutton, who became a member and eventually the chairman of The Literacy Council’s board of directors.
Literacy Matters
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L ITE RA CY SUPPORTER S Starnes, Mr. and Mrs. Stanley Stephens, Betty Stribling, Jera Stoddard, Belle Sullivan, M.P. Sullivan, Mary Syx, Dianne W. Swann, Robert Swillie, Connie Tortorici, Leigh Leigh Townsend, W. Scott Turnage, Benjamin and Melissa Underwood, Gary Varner, Roderick D. Vernon, Linda Vowell, Scott and Cameron Walls, Lee and Jeanne Wagner, Linda Warden, Mary Wamack, Jennifer Welden, Ed Wells, Robert and Betty M. Wentowsky, Barbara Wilder, Christopher and Ben Williams, Roger C. Woodward, G.C. Zell, Lee and Delynn
Corporations ABAHAC, Inc. Custodial Fund Alabama Newspaper Adv. Services, Inc. Alabama Telco Credit Union Altec/Styslinger The Allstate Foundation
America’s First Federal Credit Union Birmingham Coca-Cola Bottling Company B.L. Harbert International, LLC Brassfield & Gorrie, LLC Burger-Phillips Café Dupont Cohen Carnaggio Reynolds Corporate Realty Management The Davis Team Dawson-Wallace Law Office Dutton Group Prudential South O’Town Realty Duvall and Associates Golden Flake The Lofts of Goodall-Brown Hare, Wynn, Newell & Newton Java & Jams Jemison Flats Jemison Investment Company Jim N Nick’s Bar-B-Q Joe Piper, Inc. Limbaugh Toyota McWane Science Center Montclair Enterprises Learce, Bevill, Leesburg, Moore The Property Managers RE-MAX Advantage Richard Tubb Interiors Southern Natural Gas Steel Urban Lounge Stephen Bradley and Associates Superior Bank Tomeck’s, LLC Urban Standard
Welch, Horsby and Welch The Wine Loft
Organizations Children’s Policy Cooperative First United Methodist Church Saint Martin de Porres Telecom Pioneers
Foundations Catherine and Edward Friend Fund Edwaldan Foundation Susan Mott Webb Charitable Foundation Thompson Foundation
In Honor Of Association of Fundraising Professionals In honor of Maria Kennedy Blue Horizon Travel In honor of Scarlotte Kilgore Children’s Policy Cooperative Speaker’s gift to Debra Des Vignes Herring, Sally In honor of Robert Walton Hiatt, Morris and Harmony In honor of Grant Hiatt Leach. Bill and Joan In honor of Frank Helderman Kelley, Annah Lauren In honor of Joe and Jean Whatley, and Gran
Steele, Judith In honor of Lee Steele Smith, Lisa T. In honor of Carlton Ambrose Wuska, Andrew T. In honor of Jackie Wuska Hurt
In Memory Of Leach, Bill and Joan In memory of Eloise Gray Tortorici, Leigh Leigh In memory of Lloyd Burris
Support the Literacy Council with your taxdeductible donation. Please use the enclosed envelope.
United Way of Central Alabama
Today, he is an avid reader and is usually reading several books at once. However, as a child, reading did not come easily to him. Fortunately, even though he and his family lived in humble circumstances, someone recognized that he needed a little extra help and reached out to him. Now a successful businessman, he wants to reach out to others to give them the gift of reading. “Reading gives you so much leverage to do other things,” he says. “I would be a poor tutor,” he says, so “I look for other ways to help and to stay involved.” Doug and his son, David Dutton, are partners in The Dutton Group Prudential South O’Town Realty. In addition to gifts he makes on behalf of himself and his family, Doug sends a letter each year to major clients to let them know he is making a contribution to The Literacy Council in their honor. They receive a holiday card from The Literacy Council, and it is his hope that these end-of-year gifts multiply themselves as his clients are introduced to the cause that means so much to him. The Dutton Group Prudential South O’Town Realty is also a regular sponsor of The Literacy Council’s Historic Footnotes Loft Tour, and Doug enjoys attending the Signature Series. Doug was chairman of the board on the first occasion during which Rick Bragg was a featured author of the Signature Series. Doug enjoyed having the opportunity to spend time with the well-known author and discussing shared experiences. In his introduction, he shared his observation that Rick Bragg writes for the same reason we all read, which as C. S. Lewis noted is “to know that we’re not alone.”
Spring 2009
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C A L E NDA R OF E V E NTS Community Literacy Events Event Name: Teen Connection Event Description: The Family Guidance Center has openings in their “Teen Connection” Program. Time: 6 - 8 p.m. Place: Groups meet at Lawson-Bessemer on Tuesday evenings from 6 - 8 p.m. Groups meet at FGC- Homewood on Thursday evenings from 6 - 8 p.m. Price: This is a free class for Parents and Teens. Classes can also be provided at your business, church, or group. Contact: Please call Amy McDuffee at (205) 945-6000 for more information. Event Name: Fairy Tale Ball Benefiting Childcare Resources Event Description: Dust off your glass slippers and get ready for the Fairy Tale Ball on Saturday, August 29, 2009 from 6 - 9 p.m. Put on your dancing shoes and join Cinderella, magicians, stilt walkers, jugglers and other fairy tale and whimsical characters, for the 3rd annual Fairy Tale Ball, a magical night for children and adults alike. No need for a sitter; dress up the children and experience this one-of-a-kind event to benefit children and families in central Alabama. Time: 6 - 9 p.m. Place: Sheraton Birmingham Ballroom, 2101 Richard Arrington Blvd. North Birmingham, AL. Price: $150 for a family of four (up to 2 adults and two children). $15 per additional child (age 12 and under) Individual adult tickets are $70. Information and Tickets are available online at www.ccr-bhm.org. Contact: For Information and Tickets are available online at www.ccr-bhm. org or call (205) 252-1991 x 306. Event Name: Dr. Maya Angelou presented by UAB Minority Health & Health Disparities Research Center and BBVA Compass Event Description: The Fifth Annual UAB MHRC Gala Literary icon Maya Angelou will bring her powerful poetry and captivating delivery to the fifth University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Minority Health and Health Disparities Research Center Gala, presented by BBVA Compass, on Friday, Sept. 25 in the Cahaba Grand Conference Center. Time: Friday, September 25, 2009 5:30 p.m. reception with honorary chair Charles Barkley and Friends, 7:30 p.m. an evening with Maya Angelou. Place: Cahaba Grand Conference Center. Contact: For ticket or sponsorship, call (205) 975-5659 or visit www.uabmhrc.com/gala. Event Name: Better Basics Holiday Card Fundraiser Event Description: Better Basics Schoolwide Enrichment program will hold a holiday card contest among students and Better Basics will select the winner. The Holiday Card winner will be announced on the Better Basics website: www.betterbasics.org. All proceeds from the holiday cards will benefit Better Basics’ four main programs: the Reading Intervention program, Motivators of Reading Enrichment Program, the Schoolwide Enrichment Program, and Ready 2 Read. Place: Holiday Card requests can be sent to the Better Basics Office located at 200 Beacon Parkway West, Suite 200 Birmingham, AL 35209. Price: Price information will be updated on our website. Contact: Rachel Dresher at (205) 944-2928 ext. 302 or by email devdir@ betterbasics.org to sign up for Holiday Cards. Stay tuned to Better Basics website for more details to come! _________________________
Literacy Council Events Event Name: The Literacy Summit Event: The Literacy Summit is an annual luncheon that recognizes those who have made significant contribution to improving literacy. More details soon! Contact: The Literacy Council 205-326-1925 or 1-888-448-READ (7323).
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Event Name: Basic Literacy Tutors needed in Jefferson County Event Description: Literacy Tutors are able to see the growing sense of self-worth that struggling adult readers gain as they experience improved communication skills, increased involvement in their children’s education, job advancement or eligibility, access to educational opportunities, and a growing ability to participate in our community. After registering, you will be sent a reminder letter with further details and directions. Time & Place: A volunteer tutor training workshop will be held on two consecutive Saturdays: August 8 and 15, 2009 from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. (both days) at The Literacy Council 2301 1st Avenue North, Suite 102, Birmingham, AL 35203. Price: Free training and materials Contact: Theresa Sterling at (205) 326-1925 or 1-888-448-READ (7323) or by email at tsterling@literacy-council.org to register for this workshop. Event Name: Basic Literacy Tutors needed in Shelby County Event Description: A volunteer tutor training workshop will be held on two consecutive Saturdays: Saturdays, August 22 and 29, 2009 from 9 a.m. -3 p.m. (both days). Literacy Tutors are able to see the growing sense of self-worth that struggling adult readers gain as they experience improved communication skills, increased involvement in their children’s education, job advancement or eligibility, access to educational opportunities, and a growing ability to participate in our community. After registering, you will be sent a reminder letter with further details and directions. Time: Saturdays, August 22 and 29, 2009 from 9 a.m. -3 p.m. (both days). Place: New Jerusalem Christian Church 8960 Hwy. 31 Calera, AL 35040. Price: Free training and materials. Contact: Theresa Sterling at (205) 326-1925 or 1-888-448-READ (7323) or by email at tsterling@literacy-council.org to register for this workshop. Event Name: Basic Literacy Tutor Training in St. Clair County Event Description: Literacy Tutors are able to see the growing sense of self-worth that struggling adult readers gain as they experience improved communication skills, increased involvement in their children?s education, job advancement or eligibility, access to educational opportunities, and a growing ability to participate in our community. After registering, you will be sent a reminder letter with further details and directions. Time: 5 - 9 p.m. Place: This training workshop will be held at the Pell City Civic Center September 22, 24 and 29, 2009. The Civic Center is located at 2801 Stemley Bridge Road in Pell City. Price: Free training and materials. Contact: Theresa Sterling at (205) 326-1925 or 1-888-448-READ (7323) or by email at tsterling@literacy-council.org to register for this workshop. Event Name: Community Opportunities Fair Event Description: The “Community Opportunities Fair” is a one day event that offers an opportunity for local agencies and organizations to provide re-entry and adjustment information for persons previously involved in the criminal justice system. Time: Wednesday, October 7, 2009 from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. Place: Boutwell Auditorium. Price: No cost. Contact: Steve Hannum. Event Name: The Literacy Council’s Inaugural ESOL Educator Conference for Volunteer-Based Programs Event Description: This one-day conference targets community organizations and individual volunteer tutors who provide ESOL services in The Literacy Council’s five-county service area. It provides professional development with the goal of increasing knowledge of ESOL best teaching practices across programs in order to maintain high quality instruction for English language learners (ELLs) in our community. Time: October, 30th, 9-3 p.m. Place: At the offices of The Junior League of Birmingham. Price: $30 Contact: To register for or be a presenter at this workshop contact Theresa Sterling at (205) 326-1925 or 1-888-448-READ (7323) or by email at tsterling@literacy-council.org.
8/7/2009 11:00:16 AM