August 2020
In this issue: LaAmistad Afterschool Volunteers Needed, Clairmont Blessing, Gala Sponsorships Available, ESL Virtual Classroom, Children Read Atlanta, The 2020 Census, and more
LaAmistad Afterschool Online Taking Shape: Volunteers Needed!
In a year like none other, LaAmistad has been working tirelessly to effectively shift Afterschool programming to an easily accessible online platform for fall 2020. Recognizing a unique opportunity, we've adopted a one-on-one online tutoring model for the fall, electing to individually pair volunteers up with one student with whom they will work for the entire year. It's a large undertaking, and we are thrilled to report that the hard work is paying off for the students and families we serve. As of August 31st, LaAmistad has already matched 80% of its nearly 200 students with their dedicated volunteers!

Our deepest appreciation to all of the incredible volunteers who have already signed up to be virtual tutors. Your willingness to continue making a difference in the lives of our students in spite of the uncertainty we now face is nothing short of remarkable. When students think back on what will hopefully be a brief moment of chaos during otherwise stellar academic careers, they will recall the open hearts and kind faces of those that helped them weather the storm. On behalf of all of us at LaAmistad, thank you.

While we are proud of what we've accomplished so far, there are still many LaAmistad Afterschool students waiting to be paired with a dedicated volunteer to invest in their academic success this fall. Can our students count on you to tutor them this year?
Click the button below to be part of LaAmistad Afterschool's digital journey!
If you've previously served with us please email vrodriguez@laamistadinc.org to let us know you're interested in online tutoring this fall!
Clairmont Pres. Holds School Supply Drive Benefiting LaAmistad Students
Keeping up one of their most beloved traditions, our partners at Clairmont Presbyterian Church held a drive-thru version of their annual Blessing of the Backpacks ceremony this month.

In past years the church has invited LaAmistad students and families to join them for worship, presenting students with brand new donated school supplies for the coming year. Realizing that Afterschool students will need their support more than ever during distance learning, Clairmont had congregants drop off donations the week prior to the ceremony. Students were then able to safely and securely retrieve the donated items drive-thru style with the help of LaAmistad volunteers and church officials.

We are so inspired by Clairmont's sustained dedication to our mission. Click the link below to read more about LaAmistad at Clairmont Presbyterian Church!
Tickets and Sponsorships for LaAmistad Annual Gala Now Available!
Support our Heroes March 13th, 2021
An elegant evening of dinner, a silent auction, and celebrating community heroes is set for March 13th! Join us at the Four Seasons Hotel as we celebrate the amazing people making a difference in Atlanta's Latino community. Purchase your tickets and sponsorships below, and help us celebrate the heroes of our community!
Four Seasons Hotel Atlanta
March 13, 2021
Cocktail Reception: 6:30 pm
Dinner: 7:30 pm
LaAmistad ESL: Summer Students Thriving, Fall Registration Now Open
LaAmistad's ESL Virtual Classroom keeps the community together even when they're forced to be apart
Our ESL Summer session has been so successful! Students have been learning English proficiency at all levels from Basic to level 5. We are so impressed by their progress and can’t wait for you to join the ESL family!

Listen to how much Ana enjoys her level 4 classes!
Look at what Alma shared about her level 2 teachers in our new
Registration for fall is now open! You can register with this link: https://www.laamistadinc.org/Forms/ESLRegistrationForm
Dates: Our online sessions run very similar to that of our in-person English classes. Sessions last for 7-10 weeks, leaving room for extra testing time or time to review the curriculum before students move on to the next level.

Fall session begins the week of October 5th

Cost: You can sign up to take English classes online by paying a small registration fee of $30. Students will purchase their own books through Amazon. 

ESL is always looking for volunteers and program assistance. Do you think teaching virtually is for you or would you like to provide support? Please reach out to ESL@Laamistadinc.org!

You can also support this program by donating: https://www.laamistadinc.org/Giving/ 
Share this opportunity with friends and family!
LaAmistad Teams Up with Children Read Atlanta to Provide 6,500 Books
LaAmistad's new bus continues to have tremendous impact for the students and families of our community during the pandemic. This month, staff collaborated with Children Read Atlanta and Atlanta Public Schools to collect 6,500 donated children's books. The books will be included in virtual learning kits for students to utilize during distance learning.

Children Read is a 501(c)(3) designated non-profit organization designed to improve reading skills of children by giving them books of their own before they reach kindergarten. To do this, Children Read collects and repairs used and new books and then distributes them free of charge. Find out more about Children Read with the link below!
Census Bureau Ending Counting Efforts Sept. 30th. Be Heard! Complete the Census!
For months LaAmistad has been encouraging the participation of the families it serves in the 2020 Census. It is now more critical than ever before that the Latino community be accurately represented in the data. Federal resource allocations, like the one designed to ease the economic impact of COVID-19, will be based on the collected data for the next ten years.

We must not forget that, even during this time of crisis, participation in the 2020 Census carries profound longterm implications for the students and families we serve.

Click below to respond to the 2020 Census!
Success Spotlight: Generous Donations Supporting Students from a Distance
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