Our Mission is to increase literacy awareness and

Our Mission is to increase literacy awareness and improve adult literacy in
Duval County through a volunteer-based reading program.
“The World, One Word at a Time.”
December 2013
As I reflect back on 2013 at Learn to Read, one word that comes to mind is “dedication.” The
clients we serve overcome many obstacles to get to class in an effort to better themselves and
our city. Their dedication is what draws in and inspires our volunteer tutors, the heart of Learn
to Read. Learn to Read’s Board leadership and persistence through several tough years sets a
great example of dedication for all of us. And, of course, the staff of Learn to Read exhibit
dedication that inspires me everyday. Contained in this newsletter is a list of all of our
dedicated financial supporters. Without their support, there would be no Learn to Read at all!!
This year at Scrabble, we saw years of dedication honored with generous donations for the
Moses Meide Scholarship, established for LTR students who want to continue with their
education, yet are not able to pay for the rising cost of GED preparation programs.
We saw new dedication from community partners at Community Connections, Clara White and
ARC, in addition to continued dedication from the Center of Adult Learning, the Jacksonville
Public Library, and the YMCA.
Learn to Read is proud of the gains our students made in 2013. We are proud of the impact
that becoming a better reader has had on our students...The new jobs and promotions, the
books read for class, for fun, and to children, the adults that enrolled in GED classes, and the
medicine that was given and taken correctly. We are proud! As our dedicated partner, you
should be too!
2013 In Review:
Students served by the
Learn to Read program
501
Students who achieved at
least 1 Academic Goal
207
Students who achieved at
least 1 Workforce Goal
147
Students who achieved at
77
least 1 Personal Goal
Students who improved
their TABE score
117
Students who achieved at
least 1 EFL gain
102
Students who were referred back to FSCJ
36
Students who entered
employment
30
WELCOME
New Tutors!
Francie Peters
Gene Sheridan
Warmly,
Matt Loesch
Judy Bradshaw
Pat Chatfield
Executive Director
SAVE THE DATE:
JANUARY 14, 2014
TUTOR MEETING
6pm-7pm
@the Main Library
JANUARY 20, 2014
MARTIN LUTHER KING
JR. DAY
LIBRARIES CLOSED!
HAPPY HOLIDAYS
JANUARY 25, 2014
TUTOR TRAINING
10am-3pm
From the crew at Learn to Read!
@ the Main Library
Thanks to all of you that made this year so special. The LTR staff is so thankful to be able to provide
what we see as a critical service to the Jacksonville community; none of this would be possible without the support of volunteer tutors, community partners and sponsors, and the hard work and dedication of our students. We look forward to serving you in 2014!
Letter from the Literacy Program Manager
Think of the Rosa Parks bus station as the literal heart of Jacksonville, Florida. The main muscle of the Urban Core, where citizens of the
largest city in the U.S. line up to ride networks of arterial bus lines to all corners of town. It’s the central “You Are Here” star on a circulatory system that interweaves and connects our piecemeal, gigantic city. If you have ever had to navigate your way to a different side of Duval from the Rosa Parks bus station, you’ve had to read a bus schedule. As a degree-holding adult, I’ve got to say; that bus map should come
with Cliff’s Notes. And I’ve never even had to make a transfer!
The Rosa Parks station is a place I can always count on running in to a current or past Learn to Read student. Whether coming or going
from this central hub, we are all looking upward at the names of arriving buses, at their destinations, and at the screens scrolling with last
minute changes to the schedule. In the midst of the confusion, I think to myself how tangled the lines of the bus network must become for
non-readers. I imagine the names of streets look like they are written in hieroglyphics. I recall students who call me and say they are going
to miss class because they took the wrong bus out to the beaches. I think of stories of students losing their job because of the same mistake, caused by a misreading of street signs or bus stops. While these accounts seem like a worst-case scenario to many of us, for nearly
one out of every five adults in Jacksonville, these are real life situations in a real world that requires reading for just about everything.
Life as a non-reader poses more problems and creates more barriers to an individual’s right to upward social mobility and active participation in the daily tasks of modern society than just about any other affliction I can think of. Of the 501 clients Learn to Read has served since
January 1, 2013, 471 qualify as “Economically Disadvantaged” by Community Development Block Grant/HUD standards. That’s 94%. In my
opinion, 94% constitutes a correlation, rather than a simple coincidence. Non-readers and/or readers who have difficulty comprehending
the things they can read encounter roadblocks to their success every day. When you can’t read the prescription labels on your medicine
bottles, you end up sick. When you can’t help your child with their homework, they end up behind in class. When you can’t read the newspaper, you can’t chime in when your coworkers are having a conversation about the Affordable Care Act, the NSA, or the new scoreboards at EverBank Field. When you can’t fill out a job application, you won’t even have coworkers or a job in the first place.
2013 was a great year for Learn to Read students all over Jacksonville. We were able to open a satellite site at Community Connections in
addition to our sites at the Johnson YMCA, Tiger Academy, and our main offices in the Jacksonville Public Library’s Center for Adult Learning. Growing outwards in to the community and following those bus lines to different sides of town has allowed us to reach
more adult learners that we have in years. Combined with the help we’ve received from Florida State College at Jacksonville, the ARC, and the Clara White Mission in identifying struggling readers, our program’s capacity has nearly doubled. In
2014, we look forward to building strong partnerships and networks with more community based organizations in an effort
to ensure not only the educational needs, but also the basic needs for food, shelter, financial security, and healthy families
are met for our students. We want to work together to eliminate as many barriers for students as possible so that they can
come to class with a clear head and an open mind. When we work together to provide access to education and other social
services to our fellow Jacksonvillians, we ALL benefit!
Cheers to 2014!
Alicia Harris
December 2013 Tutor of the Month:
Michael Cary!
LTR: What brought you to LTR?
MC: I was volunteering as a computer instructor at the Pablo Creek branch of JPL and saw that the library needed computer lab assistants. Since I love to read, and teach with and about computers, this
seemed like a great fit for me. I figured I'd try it for a few months to see if I liked it.
LTR: What is your favorite aspect of volunteering with LTR?
MC: Getting to know the students in the lab in which I help, figuring out places they're stuck, planning
some "homework" or the next lessons for them.
LTR: What is your best moment/story with a student?
MC: The first day in lab that I helped out, one of the students was stuck on a computer screen and did not know how to proceed. I showed
him a quick solution, and saw that first "Aha" from that student, to me, on my first night. I was hooked. I didn't need a few months to see that
I loved helping others Learn to Read. It took about 15 minutes! I can't think of too many skills more important than knowing how to read. If
you can use some help in reading, come on in! If you can give some help in reading, come on in!
Student Learns to Use Technology With His Tutor
Martin and his tutor, Sanjana Sailesh, have been working together in the computer lab for almost
two months. We sat down with them last week to check on their progress.
LTR: So, what have you guys been working on?
Martin: Reading, word lists, getting an email and a Facebook account.
LTR: Oh! So why did you want an email and a Facebook account? [Sanjana helped Martin set up
and learn how to use his email and Facebook account earlier in the motning.]
Martin: I wanted to connect with my friends, see how they are doing.
LTR: So Martin, has working in the computer lab and with Sanjana helped you with your reading
skills?
Martin: Yes, I’m reading better. It’s been easier to read street signs, directions. I’ve been reading
labels on food. I pay attention to my health. I look at sugars, salt. Sometimes I eat junk food, but…
Above: Martin and Sanjana
LTR: Tell us more about how you stay healthy!
Martin: I do line dancing to have fun and keep in shape. I do it at Mavericks down at the [Jacksonville] Landing. I would like to learn
how to do Ballroom Dancing; I watch a lot of Dancing With the Stars! I live on the Northside, but I come Downtown for fun and dancing.
LTR: Sanjana, tell us a little bit about your experience with Martin.
Sanjana: Martin has been coming in Wednesdays and now Fridays. We have a lot of fun together! Right now he is working on word endings, like –ed and –ing and reading short stories. He is much more confident, and today, he is using his email independently.
LTR: Martin, what are your plans for the future?
Martin: I’m looking for a job. My caseworker helps me fill out applications. I am good at stocking shelves, and putting things together
with my hands. I worked at Food Lion, but then they all closed down around 2011.
LTR: Sounds great! Anything else you guys want to add?
Sanjana: Martin is a wonderful writer. He is very self motivated, too. Martin; you
need to like the Ballroom Dancing page on Facebook so you can get all of the updates!
Martin: Okay. Yeah, I’m going to use the writing to update my Facebook. Everyone
is using Facebook nowadays. I just want to let my friends know what I’m doing and
connect with people.
Martin and Sanjana will continue to meet until Martin accumulates the 50 hours he
needs for re-assessment in the program.
☺
Above: Martin’s new Facebook page.
Left: He did it! Bruce H.
graduated from the
Learn to Read program
in November 2013. Here
is Bruce holding his
TABE test scores as he
prepared to walk over to
FSCJ and enroll in GED
classes. A special congratulations also goes
out to Minette L. for
scoring over a 6.0 on the
TABE test!
Right: When LTR
Literacy Program Specialist Sherri Jackson
threw a Thanksgiving
feast at Community
Connections, she had
no idea her students
would be surprising
her with a birthday
cake! Happy Birthday
Sherri, from your
Learn to Read family!
Thank you for your support in 2013!
Grants
Adventure Landing
Fans and Stoves Antique Mall
Ponte Vedra Animal Hospital
Community Development Block
Alice & Pete’s Pub
Florida Aquarium
Ponte Vedra Plastic Surgery
Grant
Allen’s Jewelers
Florida Theatre
PRP Wine International
Public Service Grants- City of
Aqua East Surf Shop
The Grotto
Red Train Tours
Jacksonville
Aqua Grill
Home Depot
Reddi-Arts
United Way Grant
The Artist Series
Hovan Mediterranean Gourmet
Regeana’s Hair
Bare Minerals
Inksmith & Rogers, Inc.
Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Museum
Beaver Dental Care
Jacksonville Jaguars
Riverside Liquors & Village Wine
Bed Bath & Beyond
Jacksonville Suns
Shop
Belk
Jacksonville Zoo & Gardens
Roy’s
Bennie Mac’s Barber Shop
Jacques Guillaume
San Marco Strands Hair Salon
Betsy’s Hallmark
Just Fitness
Sawgrass Country Club
BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse
Noel Kuhn
St. Augustine Alligator Farm
Buchanan Sign & Flag
Larry’s Giant Subs
St. Augustine Scenic Cruise
Carla’s Hair Design
Latitude 30
Strike Zone
The Casbah
Longhorn Steakhouse
Sun-Ray Cinema
Cason’s Photography
LUSH Cosmetics
Sweet Theory Baking Co.
Chamblin Bookmine
Marsh Creek Country Club
Thoughtful Therapy
Cinemark Theatre
Marsh Landing Country Club
UnitedHealthcare
Cool Moose
Massage Envy
Veggie Bin
Cosmopolitan Hair
Montcalm Wine Importers, LTD
The Wardroom LTD
Cross Training San Marco
Moon River Pizza
Wild Adventures Theme Park
The Cummer Museum of Arts
Native Sun
Winn Dixie
and Gardens
Oceanside Cleaners
Zen Soul Therapy
Daniel James Salon
Myra Oh
Nancy Devereux
Planet Fitness
European Street
The Players
Foundations
Sontag Foundation
Dollar General Literacy Foundation
Donald C. McGraw Foundation
BBVA Compass Foundation
Wells Fargo Foundation
TD Charitable Foundation
CSX Foundation
Businesses
121 Financial
Fidelity National Financial
JaxPort
PricewaterhouseCoopers
Reynolds, Smith & Hills, Inc.
Tom Nehl Trucking
Trees, Inc.
Unisource
In-Kind
Thank you for your support in 2013!
Individuals
Susan Daniels
Julia Johnson
E. Nash
Gregory Achatz
Maggy Dartiguenave
NaLonda Johnson
Suzanne Nelson
Emelyn Agulto
Catherine Devanny
Janet Jones
Joseph Nowland
Carl and Cindy Anderson
Nancy Devereux
Valencia Kidwell
Erin O’Brien
Jane Atkinson
Mary Duncan
Mike King
Donna Orender
Patricia Auth
Sandy Flaschner
Greg & Renee Kleffner
Teresa Owens
Gregory Baity
Vince Ferrigno
Laura Kraus
John Peters
James Bradshaw
Mark Fry
Linda Krepp
Rebecca Pike
Deidre Brearley
George Gabel
Nancy Kyle
Maritza Rivera-Clapp
Monique Brown
Jennifer Goodwin
Fred Lee
Vincent Ross
Sheri Brown
Karen Green
Kelly Legler
Caley Scanlon
Michael Castillo
Meghan Green
Al Letson
DiAnne and George Scanlon
Gloria Catalan
Paul Gregory
Dr. Kathryn Logvin
Michael & Jannaee Sick
Irene Chiang Gilchrist
Barbara Gubbin
Romana Lopes
Leslie Skipper
Pamela Christon
Don & Ashley Halil
Dr. Margo Martin
Charles Smires
Maribel Claudio
Katrina Hall
Maureen McCormick
Cindy & Clyde Sullivan
Josh & Jessica Clifton
David & Betsy Harris
Jonathan & Sherry McGuire
Morgen Sullivan
Jodie Coleman
Kathy Harrison
Joyce McGuire
Barry & Linda Townsend
Linda Collins
Earlis Harvey II
Julie McNeil
Kelly Valentine
Mary Clare Coyle
Leeland Hayden
Lyle Miller
Kim Wheeler
Mary Dale
Ken Horton
Laura Minnich
Dr. Carolyn Williams
Susan D’Amico
Charles Hubsch
Tonnie Minor
Karen Wishart
Diana Daniel-Lorente
Sharon Jaskula
Wendy & Vernon Mummaw
Ann Johnson
Sheila Murphy
DECEMBER: STUDENTS OF THE MONTH
MAIN
JOHNSON
COMMUNITY
LIBRARY:
YMCA:
CONNECTIONS:
Camille Jones
Jaleesa Johnson
Sarah Beane
“Camille is extremely selfmotivated. She takes time to
ask questions, and knows what
she needs to work on. She always requests more homework!”
Above: LTR staff member Diana and the students at the Johnson YMCA during their 2013 Holiday Party!
-Kat M.
“Jaleesa is mother of two boys
“Sarah is so determined and
who is actively looking for a full- focused. She helps out her grandtime job. She volunteers for a non- mother and sister, who is also a
profit on a daily basis. Her attendstudent here. She is always an
ance is excellent and she always
completes her homework.”
-Diana D
asset in the classroom.”
-Sherri J
2013 VOLUNTEER TUTORS
2013 BOARD OF DIRECTORS
President
We couldn’t do it without you!
Giuseppe Abatangelo
Jeff Getsy
Shelby Miller
Salwa Adly
Linda Giles
Susanna Miller
Roger Aldrich
Michael Goodbread
January Moore
Carl Anderson
Linda Hagan
Virginia Morrison
Audrey Antee
Angela Hall
Jeremy Paul
Gloria Artis
Kathy Harrison
BeBe Pearson
Rasheed Baker
Cynthia Harvey
Kathy Pollard
Jacqueline Best
Ann Harwood-Nuss
Scott Pope
Sidney Bishopp
Mary Haugan
Christopher Potter
Robert Blade
Marilyn Henry
Denise Pringle
Bradley Bowers
Pamela Hicks
Kathleen Rawdon
Desiree Brewer
Patty Hill
Jessica Richter
Karen Britt
Lynze Hoffert
Ingrid Roebuck
Stephen Brott
Dorothy Hollwarth
Bob Rogers
Michael Cary
Ken Horton
Wilma Rubio
Robin Causey
Lutricia Hundley
Sanjana Sailesh
Dotti Celso
Chanda Jones
Cynthia Shelton
Bernard Cosalan
Brianne Kelly
Don Stupp
Mary Clare Coyle
Gabrielle Kendrick
Vanessa Suggs
Susan Crum
Laura Kraus
April Tate
Annquenette Daniels
Molly Kuhn
Lance Taylor
Sylven Delpesche
Sarah Laidler
Sally Thompson
Nancy Devereux
Eve Lee
Viola Tibbles
Radiah DiPiano
Lenny Maiman
Lynda Turner
Brian Donovan
Renee Marsh
Jim Whitmire
Dan Dundon
Peggy McBride
Carrie Willis
Brandi Gaspard
Marian Mclean
Garland Wilson
Ann Johnson
1st Vice Chair
Joshua Clifton
2nd Vice Chair
David Diaz
Secretary
Dr. Carolyn Shehee Williams
Treasurer
Mark Fry
Past President
Dr. Margo Martin
Maggy Dartiguenave-Peck
Leslie Demps
Nancy Devereux
Thomas Flowers
Kathy Harrison
Margaret Hill
Dimetrius Madden
Troy Smith
Marshelly Stephens
Students at the Johnson Y are competing to see who can win the most grains of rice. That’s right; I mean rice.
Students in each class work individually or in pairs while learning new vocabulary words at Freerice.com.
The class that gains the most grains will be awarded treats of their choice. Just to make it a bit sweeter, the
rice total goes to feeding people all over the world. On their website, Freerice.com states, “All money
(100%) raised by the site goes to the UN World Food Program to help feed the hungry. Sponsors make all
payments to the WFP directly.”
Once my students began to use Freerice.com, it was hard to get them off. Several students have made word
lists and shared them with classmates. They also like the idea that they were doing something to help those in
need. It’s a fun and effective tool to increase vocabulary. If you have any questions, please email me at dianadl.ltr@gmail.com.
-Diana Daniel-Lorente
Above: LTR volunteer tutors at the
November 2013 Tutor Meeting
DOLCH SITE WORDS: Want to learn more? Visit http://bogglesworldesl.com/dolch/lists.htmm
Grade One
Grade Three
Grade Two
after
give
live
take
again
going
may
thank
an
had
of
them
always
fast
pull
use
about
far
light
six
around
first
read
very
better
full
long
small
because
five
right
wash
bring
got
much
start
been
found
sing
which
carry
grow
myself
ten
before
gave
sit
why
clean
hold
never
today
best
goes
sleep
wish
both
green
tell
work
cut
hot
only
together
done
hurt
own
try
draw
if
pick
warm
drink
keep
seven
any
has
old
then
ask
her
once
think
as
him
open
walk
by
his
over
were
buy
its
their
would
could
how
put
when
call
made
these
write
every
just
round
cold
many
those
your
fly
know
some
does
off
upon
eight
kind
shall*
from
let
stop
don’t
or
us
fall
laugh
show
Letters from LTR tutors
“I believe it’s all about the students! When I look into the eyes of the Students I tutor through the Learn to
Read Program, I actually see myself.
My life began in an impoverished environment, however, through the grace and favor of my Creator— I was rescued by my adoptive parents. They are both deceased now, but I thank them for caring about another human being.
Today, I choose to give something back to my community and the world in which I live. The joy and delight in the
faces of my Learn to Read Students-- as they gain confidence in themselves and learn to read better is greatly celebrated in my heart.
Thank you Learn to Read Students for helping me to become a better person!”
-BeBe Pearson
“My stint as a Learn to Read tutor has just begun, with just over a month’s worth of Wednesday and Friday sessions assisting in the computer lab to report on. I originally pledged to the volunteer effort to make a contribution and a
difference in the lives of those who would most benefit through adult literacy. I had previously taught in the Duval County school system for seventeen years and wished to see that sense of joy experienced by those who had reached adulthood and somehow missed the opportunity to learn to read at an earlier age.
Thus far, I have been profoundly heartened by the courage and commitment of the students pursuing their
dreams; that being what most of us take for granted in our ability to make sense out of our world by deciphering our
written language. Likewise the dedication of the staff and fellow volunteers has made this endeavor a pleasure and a
fulfilling calling.
Though new to the program, I see myself transitioning to a one-to-one tutor in the coming year or perhaps becoming involved with the initiatives to bring the Learn to Read program to the Clara White organization or the Association for Retarded Citizens. I look forward to a fruitful and rewarding association with Jacksonville’s Learn to Read program.”
-Stephen R. Wallis
LTR Main Office: 904.238.9000 Fax: 904.630.7162 E-mail: learntoread.jax@gmail.com Website: www.learntoreadjax.org Facebook: www.facebook.com/learntoreadjax
Main Library
Johnson Family
Tiger Academy
Community
303 North Laura St
Jacksonville, FL 32202
Classes: Monday-Friday,
10am to 7pm
YMCA
5700 Cleveland Rd
Jacksonville, FL 32209
Classes: Monday &
Wednesday 8:30am2:30pm
6079 Bagley Rd
Jacksonville, FL 32209
Classes: Monday 5pm8pm
Connections
327 E. Duval St
Jacksonville, FL 32202
Classes: MondayThursday, 9am to 8pm
904.238.9000
Learntoread.jax@gmail.com
www.learntoreadjax.org
www.facebook.com/learntoreadjax
303 North Laura St
Jacksonville, FL 32202