Literacy Connection:
September 2020 Newsletter
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Dear Houston Community,
Another school year has begun for hundreds of thousands of Houston children. Unfortunately, the ringing of bells, the pitter-patter of feet and the glee of excitement will not echo down hallways or fill classrooms in many schools. Children will not eat breakfast or lunch with their peers while sharing stories of their summer experiences; they will not visit their school library or sit cross-legged in a circle on the alphabet-printed rug and listen to a story read aloud by their teacher; nor will they climb on the monkey bars or chase each other in the playground, screaming and laughing with joy. Indeed, this year is vastly different than those of the past.
As educators and parents grapple with the complexities caused by the pandemic and seek to find ways which address the safety and health of staff and students, as well as the individualized socio-emotional and academic needs of children, the enormity of the situation at hand and its potential consequences on children, families and our community simply cannot be underscored. In our city, nearly three out of every four schoolchildren are considered ‘economically disadvantaged’ and slightly more than half tested at or above grade level on state standardized reading tests in 2018-2019. Dire short- and long-term consequences of widening the racial and socio-economic achievement gaps and jeopardizing the vitality of our society, socially and economy, are inevitable if we do not create a sense of urgency and take action.
We must not succumb to the amorphism “perfection is the enemy of good” and proselytize one specific strategy. Complex situations oftentimes require multi-faceted solutions. Each of us can and should participate in making progress. Our children require and deserve it.
I hope you will read further to learn more about the role the Foundation is playing and how you can join us to support literacy and education in our city. Your engagement is deeply appreciated.
Sincerely,
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Julie Baker Finck, Ph.D.
President
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Ways to Support Our Cause
September is National Literacy Awareness Month, so we are making a greater effort to spread the word about our important mission and encourage you to get involved. Our team has assembled the following list of practical, yet meaningful, ways in which you can support literacy and education in our city and be a difference-maker in the life of a child or family.
1. Sign up and serve as a virtual reading mentor to an HISD elementary classroom. Learn how.
2. Participate in our Annual Giving Week by sponsoring a home library for a child by texting HTXReads to 41444. Your donation will be doubled thanks to Phillips 66.
4. Share this newsletter with friends, family and colleagues and invite them to sign up.
5. Follow us on social media @bushhoustonlit. Like, share and engage.
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In recognition of National Literacy Awareness Month, we are partnering with Entercom and its stations -- Mix 96.5 (KHMX-FM), 100.3 The Bull (KILT-FM), 95.7 The Spot (KKHH-FM), Sports Radio 610 (KILT-AM) and Mega 101 FM (KLOL-FM) – to host our inaugural Annual Giving Week taking place now through September 11. Annual Giving Week is a campaign in support of our My Home Library program, which powers children’s learning by empowering them with books to read and love at home. Through the campaign, we aim to raise $100,000 to build and distribute home libraries to thousands of underserved children during the 2020-2021 school year.
“Our mission at Entercom is to serve the Houston community by not only connecting our listeners with their favorite music, news and sports content, but by supporting the community through initiatives that impact meaningful change in their lives,” said Sarah Frazier, Senior Vice President and Market Manager, Entercom Houston. “As our kids go back to school, whether in person or online, knowing how to read is a cornerstone of all future learning. We want to put as many books in our children’s hands as possible, as they are the future of our city.”
Thanks to a matching commitment from Phillips 66 of up to $25,000, your donation’s impact will be doubled. We invite you to participate and make a difference in the life of a child. Every dollar counts. To give, simply text ‘HTXReads’ to 41444 or donate online.
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New Authors and Entertainers Join
A Celebration of Reading Line-Up
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We are excited to announce that #1 New York Times bestselling author John Grisham has joined the stellar line-up of featured authors, including Jean Becker, H.W. Brands, Kevin Kwan and Kathy Reichs, for A Celebration of Reading. Special appearances will also be made by T.D. Jakes, Jeff Kinney, Brad Meltzer, and James Patterson. In addition, Grammy Award-Winning Singer/Songwriter Lee Greenwood, America’s Got Talent finalist comedian Preacher Lawson, and the Texas Southern University Choir will provide entertainment. Additional entertainment and speakers to be announced soon! Be sure to visit our A Celebration of Reading event page frequently for updates and mark your calendar to tune in to KPRC Channel 2 on October 17 at 7 p.m. to watch the one-hour, commercial-free program. This event is made possible by Title Sponsor Phillips 66, Presenting Sponsor Quanex Foundation, our media partner KPRC Channel 2 and many other generous sponsors and donors. See full list of A Celebration of Reading sponsors and be sure to extend your appreciation for their gratitude.
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Power of Literacy Luncheon
Beyond the Pearls: Wit, Wisdom and Wonder of Barbara Bush
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This year's Power of Literacy Luncheon will be a virtual “literary fête.” In keeping with the theme, Beyond the Pearls: Wit, Wisdom and Wonder of Barbara Bush, the event will feature treasured tales masterfully strung together by those who knew and loved her best. Melanie Lawson, ABC 13 Eyewitness News Anchor, will be joining us as event emcee. Current speakers include Neil and Maria Bush, Doro Bush Koch, Jenna Bush Hager, Jay Leno, Rev. Dr. Russ Levenson Jr., Courtney and Jim Nantz, Secretary Robert Gates, Ambassador Sichan Siv and Pulitzer Prize-winning author and historian Jon Meacham. More special guests will be announced in the coming weeks, and we are confident that you will not be disappointed! Mrs. Bush loved a good surprise, so of course we will have a few in store for you.
Thank you to Phillips 66 for graciously serving as Title Sponsor of the Power of Literacy Luncheon. We are grateful for their support and the many others who have already made an event pledge.
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Virtual Volunteer Opportunities are Here! |
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We are pleased to announce that, in partnerhsip with HISD, our virtual reading mentorship programs – Reading Roundup, Read Houston Read, and Real Men Read – will continue this Fall virtually. We invite you to become a reading mentor to an elementary classroom today!
Now, more than ever, reading mentors are needed to help bridge the learning gap and keep students on track. Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation and HISD piloted these virtual mentorship programs during summer school. We are grateful to the volunteers who made the pilot a success.
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Corporate Literacy Point of Light:
Region 4 Education Service Center
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Region 4 Education Service Center is a part of the 20 regional education service centers established by the state of Texas to support school districts by providing services and resources to improve student performance, make school districts as efficient as possible and to help implement statewide initiatives. Under the leadership of Executive Director Dr. Pam Wells, Region 4 has collaborated with Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation’s on several of our key literacy initiatives. Region 4 Education Service Center was one of My Home Library’s first community partners, coming on board in in early 2018 to provide the space needed for the first ever major book sort event, aptly named the Big Awesome Book Sort.
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Individual Literacy Point of Light:
Trish Morille
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Trish Morille, President and Founding Lifetime Member of the Ladies for Literacy Guild, is a volunteer who has long exuded light into our Foundation.
Since helping to establish the Ladies for Literacy Guild, Trish has played an instrumental role in establishing crucial literacy programs, including the Curiosity Cruiser mobile libraries and the Foundation’s recent #WeRead initiative to support students’ at-home learning amid the pandemic.
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Individual Literacy Point of Light:
Victoria Villarreal
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Victoria Villarreal first discovered the Young Professionals Group (YPG) as a result of a simple Google search on local organizations she conducted over five years ago. She joined the Executive Leadership Team of the YPG just months later and has served as Chair for the past three years, a position she presently holds. Victoria has become an indispensable member, dedicating countless hours to help develop the auxiliary group into a thriving body making a big difference in the community. |
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Second Annual Thank-a-Thon a Success
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Last month marked a very special event—our second annual Thank-a-thon. Together with some wonderful members of the Ladies for Literacy Guild and the Young Professionals Group, our team called, emailed, and sent notes of thanks to more than 500 donors and volunteers who helped us make a difference in the lives of Houston children and their families over the past year. From our amazing Big Awesome Book Sort and #WeRead volunteers to our event sponsors and corporate partners, our supporters are the lifeblood of our Foundation. We truly could not accomplish our work to improve lives through literacy without every one of you, and for this we extend our most sincere thanks! |
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Building Capacity for Change through AmeriCorps VISTA
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Since our inception seven years ago, we have continued to be blessed to partner with OneStar Foundation and the Corporation for National and Community Service to host a team of AmeriCorps Volunteers in Service to America (VISTA) members to advance our mission of improving lives through the power of literacy. AmeriCorps VISTAs commit to give in service to address pervasive community problems which are root causes to poverty – low literacy is one of those important issues. We recently welcomed five new and a returning VISTA to build capacity for change by focusing on strengthening partnerships between schools and community/corporate partners and growing the size and deepening the impact of our auxiliary groups – Ladies for Literacy Guild and Young Professionals Group.
School & Community Partnership VISTAs Aubrey Blake and Nadia Tamez-Robledo, Operations and Logistics VISTA, VISTA LaKendra Johnson, Volunteer Recruitment and Engagement VISTAs Clair Hopper and Eleni McGee joined our team. And, we are excited to welcome back Serjio Brereda, for his second term to serve as Data Management VISTA.
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Barbara Pierce Bush Headlines Virtual Luncheon |
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We wish to acknowledge and extend our sincere gratitude to the Sisterhood of the Congregation Emanu El for shining the light on literacy and featuring Barbara Pierce Bush, daughter of President George W. and Laura Bush, during the Words Change the World luncheon. Chaired by Kathy Parven and Shelley Wisner, the Sisterhood graciously donated books to stock the Curiosity Cruiser mobile libraries and called upon attendees to volunteer in service through the Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation.
Barbara Bush joined the event virtually while visiting family at Walker’s Point and was interviewed by Foundation President Julie Finck. During the conversation, Barbara shared heartfelt and humorous stories from her childhood and her unwavering love for family. She also discussed the Bush legacy of service to others and her drive to co-found Global Health Corps in 2009. Barbara also spoke of the special bond she has with twin sister Jenna Bush Hager and their experience writing Sister’s First: Stories from Our Wild, Wonderful Life.
In the end, the event just continued to confirm how special the Bush family is and how the legacy of President George H.W. and Barbara Bush will continue for generations to come.
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Join Us! Virtual Literacy Partner Network Meeting |
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This month we invite members of our Literacy Partner Network to join us virtually on Wednesday, September 16th (1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.) for our third quarter Literacy Partner Network meeting to discuss Digital Development featuring keynote speaker Mary Claire with Dini Spheris Consulting.
With digital technology at the forefront of our “new normal” during the COVID pandemic, many nonprofit organizations are innovating at the speed of light to roll-out new virtual fundraising and overall stakeholder engagement. During the Literacy Partner Meeting, Mary Claire will discuss emerging best practices to:
- Utilize common digital platforms such as Zoom and social media channels to engage all audiences in impactful ways, including major donors and program partners
- Refine your organization’s online presence for both loyal and newly engaged donor
- Engage volunteer leaders in digital fundraising
We will also highlight the successes of a few of our Literacy Partners and friends at Big Brothers Big Sisters, Hype Freedom School, Interfaith Ministries for Greater Houston and St. Anne School Foundation, who are planning or have completed great fundraising events during the pandemic.
This is a great meeting for leaders in non-profit development, marketing and communications to attend. If you are part of a non-profit organization that is interested in becoming a member of the Literacy Partner Network or joining us at our third quarter meeting, please email [email protected].
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Overcoming Barriers with Sanctuaries of Learning
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Thanks to a partnership between The Texas Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church and HISD, and with support by the Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation, hundreds of children will find refuge for learning at ten local churches. Appropriately called “Sanctuary of Learning”, the program will provide approximately 1,000 students access to a safe and supportive learning environment, a computer and the internet, breakfast and lunch, a home library and trained volunteers to help facilitate their learning and development. The program is designed to help parents who work away from home and can’t stay home and help their kids virtually learn and for those without computer or internet access at home.
Students enrolled at Blackshear Elementary School entered the doors of Trinity United Methodist Church in Third Ward bright and early on September 8th and were cheerfully greeted by church, district and partner staff, along with volunteers. After receiving assistance donning headphones and connecting to the internet, students began engaging with their teachers and peers to kick off the academic year.
“During this unprecedented school year, it’s imperative that our community partners continue to support HISD students," HISD Interim Superintendent Grenita Lathan said. “I am incredibly grateful for our partnership with the Barbara Bush Literacy Foundation, who is supporting HISD children by providing them with books to read while at home, and to Trinity United Methodist Churches, who opened Sanctuaries of Learning for HISD elementary school students in need of safe learning spaces during the pandemic.”
Individuals interested in volunteering at a Sanctuary of Learning may email Reverend Jill Daniel at [email protected].
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