Message from Literacy Team
What a month...

I started working on this newsletter in February but now much of what I had planned to send no longer applies... just proof that we are not control!

This newsletter will be a mix of "normal" Literacy Mentor news/updates as well as resources for supporting our community in light of COVID-19 closures.

Internal update: Our fun, bubbly, and very thoughtful Monique Jackson "Ms. Mo" offered to go on furlough to help cut costs as ENP tries to ride out the financial wave. Once this all settles, we plan for her to join us again. So in the meantime please direct all communications to Jenessa or Erika.

Praying you and your family are staying safe and connected. Let us know how we can help!
-Jenessa, Erika (and Monique from afar)


" Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life.
Psalm 143:8
Current School Year by the Numbers
Welcome to our newest sites!
  • Kepler Parents at Kepler Elementary
  • Fresno State at Olmos Elementary
  • Fresno State Read Fresno at Williams Elementary

Curious where all of ENP's sites are?
Upcoming Dates

  • April 6-13: Official Spring Break, No School for FUSD and CUSD
  • Tuesday, April 14 (Tentatively, may postpone to May 4): FUSD, CUSD, and OCSD return to school


2019-20 School Calendars (click and print for reference throughout the year):
Service Opportunities
Looking to serve still?
Need volunteers for a project you have?

Check out servefresno.org !

If you have any projects to add to the site, please email Gabrielle Wong at gabrielle@everyneighborhood.org
Little Free Libraries
Not all libraries are closed!
ENP, Reading Heart, and The Well are working together to make sure our kids have access to books during this time.

How to help?
  • Share the ENP map of Fresno's "Little Free Libraries"
  • Consider setting up a space in front of your house, church, or park for free books. It doesn't have to be a full LFL right now. Even just a box or table with a sign "Free Books" works!
  • Would you like to drive around and help distribute books? Email Andrew Feil at andrew@everyneighborhood.org

Food and Resource Distribution Hubs
ENP is working with the schools, Fresno Metro Ministries, the Food Bank and others to make sure all neighborhoods and kids have access to food.

How to help?


Literacy News & Resources
Downloadable Literacy Mentor Kit!
Sharing is Caring...
Feel free to access, print, play, and share the pdfs for all of the LM Kit materials and games.
How to Connect with your Kids from afar...
A team of Literacy Mentors and Site Leads met virtually this week to brainstorm how we can still support our schools and kids.
Feel free to view the meeting video and notes.

A few ideas:
  • Write letters to your students. (Ask teacher for mailing address.)
  • Create a video of you reading a favorite book or leading some Sight Word practice. (Send video to Jenessa or teacher to be sent out to kids.)
  • Send digital sight word practice lists to students and teachers. Book 1 and Book 2 (see image above)
  • Chalk the neighborhood sidewalks with sight words and encouraging words!
Take Care of Yourself too!
Inspiring Coloring Pages

Beautiful and encouraging coloring pages to download here.

Phone Calls, Groceries, Cards

Remember to check in with others- via phone calls, texts, cards...

If you or someone you know needs groceries or just a friendly chat, let us know!
For the Love of Literacy Fundraiser Updates


We surpassed our goal of $500!


Thanks to Chic-Fil-A, Mimi's Cafe, Fresno Breakfast House, and Sweet Tomatoes for partnering with us to raise the funds for 10 more Literacy Kits!

And many thanks to those of you who dined out with us!

Shout out to Jerri Plassman and her husband David for attending ALL FOUR of the meal fundraisers. Thanks!!
Loving on our Schools! 

We enjoy seeing you all bless schools in different ways. Here are a few highlights from the past couple of months...

  • Michelle and the congregation of Calvary Worship Center wrote an encouraging card for each staff member! Given out along with a delicious breakfast.
  • Carol and the Well Team did a book giveaway where EVERY student got a new book and a cookie!
  • Bill from University Presbyterian Church added to the ambience at a staff breakfast with beautiful hammered dulcimer music.
  • Anna, Coraima, and Sabrina are Read Fresno mentors at Columbia Elementary and Sequoia Courts. They went out to their students' basketball game to cheer them on!

You all are a true blessing!
Literacy Mentor Spotlight
Vangie Carrillo and Ms. Rosa Avalos
Columbia Elementary FUSD, Image Church

For this month we wanted to highlight a dynamic teacher-mentor combination! We love when mentors and teachers hit it off. Hope their relationship inspires you to love on your teacher too!
UPDATE: This relationship has only further blossomed in light of the school closure. Vangie is working with Ms. Avalos to check in on all of her kids and even play with them outside their homes as able/safe. So great!

From LM Vangie...
What made you decide to become a literacy mentor?
I decided to become a literacy mentor because I wanted to give back to our schools. I come across a lot of students who struggle with literacy and by the time they get to 6th grade, they do not want to attend school. If we help them while they are young we can give them that extra push.  

What do you enjoy most about mentoring in Ms. Avalos's room?
The respect and love they have for me. I have not had one issue or challenge with any of the students. They are excited to learn and start working. They usually tell me what we are going to do. They are so behaved and that represents their teacher.

How did you form a relationship with Ms. Avalos?
I check in with her at least every 6 weeks. I see the kids' struggles and challenges. Sometimes the kids will tell me what’s going on at home. Ms. Avalos and I team up and are on the same page to support our kids. Teachers always need the extra hands. I was a teacher's aide for 7 years and helped teachers. So now to see them with no aides it’s a lot more work. We connect well because we have the same goal and that is for our students to succeed. She is an awesome teacher.

From Ms. Avalos...
What do you enjoy about having Vangie and other mentors in your room?
I love the support that they provide my students with and seeing my students get excited when they come.

How can volunteers best support/appreciate their teacher?
Giving us feedback about how students are progressing would be great.

What is your favorite thing about Vangie?
My favorite thing about Vangie is her style and the relationship she has developed with my students. She's Awesome! They are all awesome, but she's amazing!


Thank you Vangie and Ms Avalos!