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ADULT LITERACY PROGRAM The majority of our adult learners and families in the library literacy programs are disadvantaged, unemployed, or underemployed, non-literate, limited English speaking Hispanics who come to us seeking help to improve the quality of life for themselves and their children. Our mission is to teach English reading, writing, math and job market skills by providing one-to-one volunteer tutoring for adults who need instruction in all academic areas in order to be competitive in the job market. In addition to academics, we also offer a limited ESL program using small classes, tutors, English language tapes and computer program. These classes meet once a week(2 hrs.) with the instructor and once a week on the computer, for 12 weeks. FAMILIES FOR LITERACY This program provides parent(s) with children 2-8 years old, in discussion groups and workshops that focus on making reading a family fun activity by teaching parents how to read to their children. This program stresses the importance of parents as early teachers and assists parents in influencing their children to stay in school. Children work on creative handicrafts while parents meet, and they then select free books to take home and keep to begin their own home library. This encourages children to see reading as a source of enjoyment. Last year we served 29 families and 55 children in this program. This year we have already enrolled 37 families and have had to close enrollment and start a waiting list for next year. PARENTING PROGRAM Another component of our Families For Literacy is the Parenting Program. It is designed to provide guidelines in parenting skills to any adult who functions in a parental capacity. The curriculum, facilitator's training and instructional resources for this program were developed and provided by our Families For Literacy California state consultant. ANGEL PROGRAM The Angel Program is made up of a group of community volunteers who are recruited and trained to work with children with academic problems who attend a school in the Santa Paula Elementary School District. Volunteer tutors are trained to work with one specifically assigned student during school hours, one or two days a week. Students to be tutored are selected by principals and teachers because they are not learning successfully for a variety of reasons. These tutors do not work with students who are eligible for Special Education services as, by law, they are provided an appropriate education. The students we serve in this volunteer program are those children who are not eligible for any mandatory services but are having difficulty being successful in school. They are, in effect, slipping through the cracks. |
Last revised 06/04/03 mlb.