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A newsletter from the
Literacy Alliance of Northeast Florida
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Literacy Alliance Program Manager Sherri J. teaches a math class to students in the classroom as well as an additional six students who participated virtually on Webex. The technology available through the Jessie Ball duPont building has made our online instruction a success |
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The new year is starting without many changes… yet! We are looking forward to the COVID-19 vaccine in the coming months so that more students feel safe attending classes and labs in person. Please get the word out that we are accepting new students for online and in-person classes. We want our students to achieve their educational, work, and personal goals! We asked our students and staff, “What are you looking forward to in 2021?”
- Hugging
- The Presidential Inauguration
- Seeing friends smile
- Sporting events & crowds
- The Tokyo Olympics
- Getting my GED
- Visiting my family
- Going to church
- Visiting Walt Disney World (50th Year Anniversary)
- Going to the movies and restaurants
- Ditching the mask!
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ADULT LEARNING AND TUTORING CONTINUE THROUGH THE PANDEMIC |
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Pat Carlton - VISTA Volunteer
Pat joined our team in late October through the Volunteers in Service to America (VISTA) program. You may see her learning about our organization by helping in classes, assisting in workshops, getting us ready for the holidays, and recruiting and training volunteers. Pat is not new to adult education programs. She has extensive experience in her home state of Virginia and in the Atlanta area. Pat shared, “I am grateful to be able to contribute to the lifelong learning opportunities the Literacy Alliance provides the citizens of Jacksonville.”
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Andrea Billups- Digital Literacy Navigator
Welcome, or should we say “welcome back,” to Andrea! She taught reading classes with us in 2015 and 2016. She recently moved back to Jacksonville and is joining the team as the Digital Literacy Navigator which includes supporting computer lab students, preparing and delivering Digital Literacy workshops and also teaching a reading class. Andrea graduated from the University of North Florida with a Bachelor of Science in Communication. Andrea shared that literacy and technology are her passions. “My mom is a teacher and began reading to me before I could walk. She’s always inspired me to read and learn every chance I get.”
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AMERICORPS MEMBERS. WE WANT YOU!
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Thanks to the support of Volunteer Florida and AmeriCorps, the Literacy Alliance will be launching the first adult literacy program in our community that leverages the skills, talents and time of national AmeriCorps Members. We will be recruiting at least 10 AmeriCorps members who will help us expand adult literacy services in our community.
AmeriCorps members will come on board in the Summer of 2021. If you, or someone you know, is interested in being an AmeriCorps Member who works to address the adult literacy needs of our community, let us know today!
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Congratulations to the four Literacy Alliance students who graduated in Fall 2020! Your hard work and dedication has allowed you to reach your goals. We wish you the very best as you continue your education.
Frednicia W
Kristopher W
Tarik W
Timuquana W
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WIN A KINDLE FIRE!
Those with perfect attendance between Monday, November 30th and Friday, January 29th will be entered into a drawing to win a brand new Kindle Fire tablet! Drawing will take place on Monday, February 1, 2021.
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Call for Student Essays! Become a Published Writer!
17th Annual Florida Adult Learner Essay Book
Deadline for Submissions: January 28, 2021
Students from throughout Florida are invited to submit original short stories, poems, or autobiographical narratives to be included in a published book that will debut at the 2021 Florida Literacy Conference. All selected authors and their programs will receive a hard copy of the book.
The goal is to encourage adult learners to build confidence while also helping them to improve reading, writing, and critical thinking skills. Read the contest rules and submit an essay at https://floridaliteracy.org/call-for-essays.html, or speak to your teacher or a staff member. Good Luck!
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Navigating an Increasingly Online World
The Literacy Alliance is excited to announce further expansion of our Digital Literacy program through a partnership with the Jessie Ball duPont Fund. The duPont Fund's grant of $15,000 has allowed us to hire a Digital Literacy Navigator to lead our efforts to increase digital equity for low-income students. The Literacy Alliance has also become an official testing center for Northstar Digital Literacy which allows our students to earn certifications as they progress through computer instruction. The duPont Fund joins Comcast and RS&H as sponsors of our Digital Literacy program.
The Financial Impact of COVID-19
The Community Foundation of Northeast Florida has awarded the Literacy Alliance a grant of $4,360 to offset the extra costs incurred by operating though the COVID-19 epidemic. Cleaning supplies are just the tip of the iceberg! Running parallel in-person and online instruction has increased our personnel and technology costs. Support from foundations and individual donors has allowed us to be responsive and flexible in finding ways to best serve our students. Thank you to this winter's Verse Sponsors ($5,000 - $9,999) Vickie & Jim Robinson and Page Sponsors ($1,000 - $4,999) Michael Maguire, Linda Crank Moseley, Frances & Michael Peters, Janice & David Sleap, and Nancy & William Thompson.
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Going on a Target run?
Every time you check out with the Target Circle app through March 31st you earn a vote that can be cast for the Literacy Alliance. Votes earn us cash!
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Our first Lottery for Literacy was a huge success! The Literacy Alliance raised over $8,000 to provide services to the adult learners of northeast Florida. Thank you to all who donated and congratulations to the winners! |
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Computer Workshops
Wednesday, Jan. 20; 1-3 pm and 3-5 pm
Learn the keyboard! What does QWERTY mean? Practice using a mouse. What’s a modem and why do I need one? Connecting to a network and the Internet. What is telehealth and how to use it?
Upcoming in February – Smartphone skills
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Math Workshops
Saturday, Jan. 23; 10 am-12 pm
Fractions & Decimals
Saturday, Feb. 6; 10 am-12 pm
Ratios, Proportions, & Percents
Saturday, Feb.20; 10 am-12 pm
Solving Equations & Inequalities
Saturday math workshops may be attended in person or online. Sherri will lead these math workshops to get students ready for the GED. Volunteers will also be in the classroom to help students one-on-one. Sign up now to become a math whiz!
Want to sign up? Tell your teacher, stop in the office, or call us
(904) 238-9000
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In February, classes and computer labs will highlight African American accomplishments. Students may read a poem, read and study short biographies, discuss black mathematicians, and learn about The Jessie's "Lift Ev'ry Voice Project" by doing a walking tour and reading about the artwork at the Jessie Ball duPont Building. |
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Our instruction includes financial, health, and digital literacy. Material is available for tutor/students pairs, or you can encourage your student to participate in our workshops. Ask us how you can be involved! |
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Interested in becoming a volunteer?
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Online Tutor Info Sessions:
Friday, January 22, 8:30 – 9:15 am
Tuesday, February 9, 5:30 – 6:30 pm
Friday, February 19, 12:00 – 12:45 pm
Tuesday, March 2, 5:30 – 6:15 pm
Wednesday, March 17, 5:30 – 6:15 pm
Friday, April 9, 8:30 – 9:15 am
Tutor Training:
Saturday, January 23, 9:30 am – 1:30 pm
Saturday, February 20, 9:30 am – 1:30 pm
Saturday, March 20, 9:30 am – 1:30 pm
Saturday, April 24, 9:30 am – 1:30 pm
*Note: Tutor Training may be completed 100% on-line if you prefer.
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WELCOME AND THANK YOU
NEW TUTORS!
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Chelseyelane Gaines, Jim Lee, Erika Reyes, Jim Robinson, Terri Spock, Nancy Walker, and Vicki Witherspoon
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Our mission is to increase literacy awareness and improve adult literacy in northeast Florida through formal instruction and volunteer-based tutoring.
(904) 238-9000
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