THE VOLUNTEER VIEW
 May 2015           Volume 3, Issue 3
From the Volunteer Coordinator

Hello Literacy Kansas City Volunteers and Supporters!

 

We are now in the 2nd week of Term 2 classes and everything is going great! I hope your summer is starting off great as well!

 

In this Issue:

  • Success Stories - This is a monthly feature highlighting student and literacy successes to remind us all that our efforts are changing lives!  If you have a story to share, please email it to [email protected]
  • Volunteer Needs - We have several outreach and other needs coming up this summer. Please help us out! 
  • Activities - Open to everyone and their families!
  • Tutor Training information
  • Staff Spotlight - There are many new faces on staff at Literacy Kansas City. Here is a chance to learn a bit more about us.
  • Math Information

We are so grateful for your time and commitment to Literacy Kansas City.  Please let me know what I can do to make your volunteer experience fulfilling.

 

Linda Braly  
Celebrating Success Stories!

Spring 2015 Student Goal Achievement Final Report

 

Term 1 of the Impact Initiative has come to a close! Literacy Kansas City is extremely grateful for all of the support and time put in by our students, tutors, instructors, staff, and volunteers. The time and effort is truly reflected in the total number of achievements our students have reached. In Term 1, our students read over 100+ books, 49 visited the library as adults for the first time, 20+ improved a level on our digital reading plus program, and 11 were able to improve their spoken English. Being an adult learner takes a lot of time and dedication to see growth and our students are doing just that. Literacy Kansas City staff and constituents are looking forward to the great things to follow in the future terms.

Term 2 sees a 50% increase in student enrollment!

 

We are proud of the new classroom model of literacy instruction and its successful first term.  Our program continues to rapidly expand as we saw a 50% increase in the number of students we serve. We now have 15 classes at 7 different locations in the metro.  This is a success we can all celebrate!
Foundations I students write essays 
 
Instructor Becky Holst challenged two of her Foundations I students, Richard and Sherrian, to write a short essay on an animal of their choice. We think they did an awesome job!
 

 
New student gets a boost of confidence

 

All new students are required to take a Digital Life Skills class to make sure they are comfortable with a computer before classes begin.  Jacqueline, a student in the Digital Literacy class, had never used a computer before so she was pretty nervous and not sure of herself.  During the Mouse Tutorial when students were  learning to click, it took her a few tries but the first time she was successful she broke out in the biggest grin!  That little success boosted her confidence and she went on to learn more complicated mouse maneuvers.  Every success brought a big grin. 
 
Little successes boost the spirit and self-confidence! 
Father is committed to learning to read

 

In Michele Paynter's Foundations II class, Ray is a kind, family-centered, and motivated student.  Ray always had problems with reading and pronouncing words correctly, but he was a great athlete in school. Teachers would readily allow him to leave the classroom for extra practice before a game, but never took the time to help him with reading after school. When  Ray got married and had children, he and his wife wanted better for their children, and wanted them to receive a quality education.

Ray says he is committed to learning to read. His wife encourages him in reaching this goal. Both parents have always supported and encouraged their three adolescent children to be  successful in their lives. Ray has two children already in college, neither of them knowing their father's inability to read.

We so respect this learner, rising above his own station in life, to encourage and support his children to achieve their goals, which, seemingly, they have begun to do! YEA Ray!

 
Volunteer Needs
Community Outreach/Student and Volunteer Recruitment

We have several opportunities coming up for volunteers to help us reach out to prospective students and volunteers. I have listed the events and hours below.  Please click on links to sign up for one or more two hour shifts. 

First Fridays - June 5th, July 3rd,  and August 7th, 5:30-9:00PM   Stand at our table near Hammerpress on Southwest Blvd.  Help sell T-shirts, water bottles, and totes as well as hand out literature. Sign up here: First Fridays 

Rainy Day Books Event at Unity Temple - June 15th, 6:15-8:45pm 
Author, Emily St. John Mandel, discusses her new book. We would like to have volunteers give out information to prospective volunteers before and after this event. Sign up here: Rainy Day 
 
Rainy Day Books Event at Unity Temple - June 17th, 6:15-8:45pm 
Author, Annie Barrows, discusses her new book. We would like to have volunteers give out information to prospective volunteers before and after this event. Sign up here: Rainy Day 

Convoy of Hope at Macendonia Church - June 20th, 7am-2pm  Convoy of Hope is at multiple locations this year.  We would like to have volunteers give out information to prospective students and volunteers during this event. Sign up here: COH-Macedonia 
 
Convoy of Hope at Paseo Baptist Church - June 20th, 9am-2:30pm
 Convoy of Hope is at multiple locations this year.  We would like to have volunteers give out information to prospective students and volunteers during this event. Sign up here: COH-Paseo 
 
Job and Health Fair at Linwood YMCA - June 20th, 12-3pm  Another event happening on June 20th!  We would like to have volunteers give out information to prospective students and volunteers during this event. Sign up here: Linwood YMCA 
 
Kidsfest at Bethel UCC Church - July 25th, 10am-12pm  We would like to have volunteers give out information to prospective students and volunteers during this event. Sign up here: Kidsfest-Bethel 
Urgent Need!  Wednesday Evenings during Term 2

We need at person for Wednesday evenings from 5:00pm-6:15pm to buzz students and volunteers into the building for class. An easy, but crucial job! Please contact Linda Braly, Volunteer Coordinator, to sign up.
Volunteer Orientation
We have many volunteer opportunities at Literacy Kansas City.  We encourage you to learn more by attending one of our 30 minute Volunteer Orientation sessions.  They are held at our offices on the 1st Monday of each month at 6:00pm and the 3rd Tuesday of each month at 11:30am.  Please contact Linda Braly, Volunteer Coordinator, to sign up.
New Tutor Training
Term 3 classes will begin on September 8th.  Tutors are assigned to a 12 week class with an instructor.  Planning and tutor time is about 4 hours/week.  All new tutors are required to go through 15 hours of training.  If you are interested in becoming a tutor for Term 3, please contact us to enroll in one of the following New Tutor Training series:


Series 4 - Tuesday and Thursday evenings, 6pm-8:30pm
August 17th - Part 1a
August 19th - Part 1b
August 24th - Part 2a
August 26th - Part 2b
October 5th - Part 3
Series 5 - Saturdays, 9am-2pm
August 22 - Part 1
August 29th - Part 2
October 10th - Part 3

Please contact: [email protected] to enroll.

Activities for All LKC Volunteers and Students
Join us for some fun activities! These are open to all Literacy Kansas City Volunteers, Students, Tutors, Staff and their families!



Staff Spotlight
Julia Wendt, Instructor Leader

Julia is the newest member to the Literacy Kansas City staff, but she is jumping in with both feet!  We asked her to tell us a bit more about herself:

  

When did you start working for Literacy Kansas City?

May 2015 

 

What is your favorite part of working at Literacy Kansas City?

My favorite aspect is the dedication of the people involved here. There is a deep dedication from our students, generous tutors and staff.  


Where did you work before Literacy Kansas City?

I've spent the last five years working in the Kansas City Public School District (KCPS). During my most recent three years there, I worked in K-6 Reading Intervention at various school sites.  


What do you like to do outside of working?

I like spending time with my silly family, and being outdoors as much as possible. I also like watching the Kansas City Royals play good baseball.

 

What is your favorite book?  

My favorite book is The Great Plains, by Ian Frazier. I read David Sedaris for fun.
What is your favorite animal?

My favorite animal is my adorable Pug/Chihuahua named Zuzu.

 

Do you collect anything?

Like most teachers, I collect books. I have an enormous library of leveled books that is ever-expanding.

 

Where is the place you would most like to travel to?

I would most like to travel to Europe because three of my four best friends live in Europe; Ireland, Brussels, and Germany.

 

If you could ask your future self a question, what would it be?

I would ask my future self for detailed parenting advice on how to raise my 9 year old son, Elijah.

 

What is something unique about you?

I like to make art and make music. I enjoy drawing and painting (watercolors and oils). I also play guitar ukulele, and I am learning banjo and piano.

 
Attention all Tutors: Please tell your students

MATH CLASSES ARE COMING

 

Math classes and tutoring sessions are only open to Literacy Kansas City students who:

  • Are currently enrolled in a reading class (or are meeting with a 1-on-1 tutor)
  • Have good attendance in their reading class

If you would like to be matched with a math tutor or placed in a math class, y ou MUST attend one of the following orientations:

  • Monday, June 1- 5:30-7:00 at Literacy Kansas City
  • Wednesday, June 6- 9:00-10:30 at Literacy Kansas City
  • Friday, June 5- 1:30-3:00 at Literacy Kansas City

CALL 816-333-9332 TO SIGN UP FOR A MATH ORIENTATION OR TALK TO EMILY.

If you cannot attend any of the math class orientations, you must call Emily at 816-333-9332 to schedule an individual appointment.  
LINDA BRALY
VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR
LBRALY@LITERACYKC.ORG
(816) 333-9332 x107
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211 W Armour Boulevard, Third Floor, Kansas City MO 64111
(816) 333-9332