|
Total Volunteer Hours in March
1033
|
Volunteer Hours in 2018-19 School Year
10436
|
|
 |
|
|
Hello
Literacy Source Volunteers,
This week, we are taking an extra
moment
to show
our
deep appreciation
to you,
our volunteers.
Whether you
volunteer as a
board member, tutor, instructor, class a
ssistant
, evening off
ice manager, library volunteer, or p
rogram support volunteer, we thank you for being such an important part of our community.
As v
olunteers,
you are a key component to the success of
our mission
of
reaching and teaching
adults
to help them achieve their goals
. Our goal is
that
you find volunteering here
a rewarding experience
,
and feel
well-supported in your work
.
We hope you see the rewards in the success of
your
students, and
in the sincere
appreciation from
all of our
staff.
Literacy Source volunteers come from a variety of backgrounds. Some of you are computer software developers, retired teachers, university students, realtors, entrepreneurs, artists, former Literacy Source students, and stay-at-home moms. Like our students, each one of you adds to the richness that is Literacy Source by bringing your own unique set of talents, expertise, skills, and experiences, and these in turn contribute value, diversity, and depth to what we do here. We really appreciate your willingness to commit the time and put in the thought and care that teaching or program support requires.
We
sincerely thank you for your service and
continued commitment.
Literacy Source Volunteer Program Manager
|
|
|
|
We are so lucky to work with so many fabulous volunteers!
|
|
You're Invited to our Next Literary Mixer!
|
Please join us for our Spring Literary Mixer on Thursday, May 9 from 6-8:30 pm!
How it works
: Choose a favorite book, and bring the book for an informal show and tell with other volunteers while enjoying a glass of wine or beverage. It's a great way to meet other Literacy Source volunteers and share your love of reading.
P.S. This is not a book donation - you get to take your book home with you. E-books and Kindles are also welcome!
|
|
These emergency procedure signs can be found in various places throughout our learning center, including in each of our classrooms.
|
|
|
Many of you are aware that the Lake City community was hit with a senseless act of violence a couple weeks ago: a car-jacking and shooting very close to our building. We immediately implemented our lockdown and safety procedures, and soon after followed up with our students to ensure we provide any support they might need. While everyone at the center is safe, we thought it would be helpful to provide a reminder of our lockdown procedures:
5 Steps: Lockdown Procedures
Step #1. Lock and close all doors (2 front doors locked and close all doors inside the center).
Step #2. Close all blinds in the center and shut off lights if needed.
Step #3. Do not leave the center until directed to do so.
Step #4. Stay away from windows and doors.
Step #5.
Wait for further instructions from the Executive Director or designated person managing the situation.
There are tri-color notices in all classrooms that outline this along with all our emergency situation procedures (fire, earthquake, and lockdown). Thank you to everyone who reached out to us for assistance and support. While we hope a situation like this doesn't happen again, we will continue to be prepared for all emergency and disaster situations.
|
|
|
ABE 4/5 students administering surveys for a class project on the scientific method.
|
|
Many people are under the impression that Literacy Source only serves immigrants and refugees with beginning-level English skills, however we also work with students who are native English speakers or who have high listening and speaking skills in English. This program is our Adult Basic Education (ABE) program.
Our ABE program offers classes and tutoring from levels 1-5. We are one of the only schools in King County that offers level 1 reading and writing instruction to adult emergent readers. In our ABE level 4/5 class, students are typically interested in getting their GED, obtaining employment, or attending community college, and our ABE program offers classes and tutoring designed to help them reach these goals. Our ESOL program also focuses on the basic skills of reading, writing, listening, speaking, and math. As stated in our Literacy Source Instructional Principles: "By focusing on needs of our learners, we often blur the traditional lines between ABE and ESOL, focusing on the basic skills we all need: the ability to listen, speak, read, write, use math, think critically and creatively, and use technology to navigate our lives."
Part of our current strategic plan is to increase the number of ABE students we serve. You can help us by talking about the ABE program when you talk about Literacy Source!
For a taste of how interesting the ABE program is - in our ABE 4/5 class this term, we're approaching the social studies section of the GED by studying the American military presence in SE Asia during the Cold War and Vietnam War period (known in Vietnam as the Resistance War against America). We'll be analyzing both the Vietnamese and American histories of this war, and investigating the effects in Laos and Cambodia as well. To incorporate some language arts, we'll also be reading an excerpt from Thi Bui's graphic novel, The Best We Could Do.
|
|
|
Thi Bui's 'The Best We Could Do' was selected for Seattle Public Library's 2019 Seattle Reads program. Our ABE 4/5 students are reading part of the book in class this quarter.
|
As you may know, this book is also this year's selection for Seattle Public Library's
Seattle Reads
program. If you haven't already picked up a copy, please join us in reading the book. One goal of our ABE program is to facilitate the participation of our adult learners in a broader reading public. That Thi Bui's graphic novel was chosen this year was a fortuitous opportunity for us! If you're in the North Seattle area, Thi Bui will be giving a talk at Northgate Community Center on Sunday, April 14 at 1:30 pm. More information about that event can be found
here.
For additional book discussion locations, click
here.
|
|
Recap: "Challenging English Only" Workshop
|
|
|
On March 21, Literacy Source instructors Taiko Aoki-Marcial and Lauren Plitkins gave a talk at Literacy Source about incorporating students' home languages into lessons as a means to foster equity and inclusion. They also examined the ways in which English has been used as a tool of colonization throughout history, and the importance of being mindful and critical of "English only" approaches that ESOL has commonly been associated with. Lauren and Taiko
presented a similar version of this workshop at the
Coalition on Adult Basic Education
(COABE) Conference in New Orleans last week.
If you missed their presentation, fear not! The slides from their COABE talk are available
here
for all to review. We encourage you to do so, as they offer practical tools you can use with learners in your teaching and tutoring sessions, as well as a great list of resources at the end.
"In the classroom setting, I encourage students to use their first language and translate it so they do not feel that seeking higher education will necessarily estrange them from that language and culture they know most intimately." -bell hooks, Teaching to Transgress
|
|
|
Registration Open for Community Volunteer Training
|
|
|
|
Saturday, May 4
8:30 am-1 pm
Location:
King County Goodwill Job Training and Education Center
700 Dearborn Place South, Seattle, WA 98144
Registration is now open!
Click
here
to register.
All are welcome to attend a morning of free classes, workshops and conversations to support ESOL and ABE students in the greater King County area. Presented by Seattle Goodwill, The Seattle Public Library Foundation, King County Library System, OneAmerica, Literacy Source and Seattle Central College.
WORKSHOPS:
Keynote: Student Panel Discussion: The Adult Immigrant Learning Experience
Sessions:
- Strategies for Teaching Literacy to Adult Emergent Learners (Literacy Source foundational training)
- ESOL Teaching Techniques (Toolkit, Literacy Source foundational training)
- *Adopting a Cultural Humility Approach with Adult Learners (Literacy Source foundational training)
- *Teaching Digital Literacy to Beginner Level Adults
- *Supporting Currently & Formerly Incarcerated Clients
- Teaching Strategies to Develop Reading Skills (Literacy Source foundational training)
- Working with Adult Learners (Literacy Source foundational training)
- *Becoming a Trauma Informed, Resilience-Building Community Volunteer
- *Education in Jail: Building a Foundation for the Future
*New workshops at the Community Volunteer Training
|
|
Digital Literacy Tutors:
We are in need of volunteer tutors interested in working one-on-one with students who want to improve their basic computer skills. Focus areas will vary based on student interest and need. If you or someone you know is interested, please contact Marisa.
Mock Interviewers:
We're still looking for volunteers to assist us during our
Phone Interview Workshop on Tuesday, May 28, from 2-3:30 pm. Volunteers will help out as mock interview partners for students who would like to hone their phone interviewing skills. Interviews will take place on-site here at Literacy Source during the second half of the workshop. If this sounds like something you would be interested in, please contact Meskerem.
|
|
Congratulations to Idris Ali and Jeff Kalombo - our newest U.S. citizens! Thank you to the many volunteers who support our citizenship program at Literacy Source.
|
|
|
|
|
Our Annual Breakfast is less than one month away! Please join us on
Tuesday, May 7
at Seattle Pacific University, for an inspiring morning of student speeches and superstar librarian/best-selling author Nancy Pearl sharing her top books of the year. The program is from 7:30-9 am, with doors opening at 7 am.
Our community partner, Phinney Books, will also be there selling Pearl's recommended reads and donating 15% of the proceeds to Literacy Source. Please
register online
, and help us spread the word by telling your friends and family! There is no cost to attend, but guests are asked to make a donation (suggested minimum $150). The entire cost of the breakfast is underwritten by sponsors, so every dollar given goes directly to providing basic education services to low-income adults.
Lastly, we are still accepting Table Captains if you would like to attend the breakfast and bring a few friends or colleagues! You don't have to fill a whole table to be a Table Captain. Please contact Anshika if you are interested or have any questions.
|
|
|
Our community event calendar highlights some of the events happening in the greater Seattle area that pertain to social justice, diversity, and equity. If you know of any other events we can share with the Literacy Source community, please let us know!
Emergent Strategy: An Evening with Adrienne Maree Brown
Thursday, April 18
Seattle Public Library, Central Library
|
Artist Talk with Zhi Lin
Tuesday, April 23
Odegaard Undergraduate Library Room 220, University of Washington (Seattle)
|
More than Just Coffee: A POC Coffee Panel & Happy Hour
Thursday, April 25 ($5)
The Riveter: Capitol Hill
|
First Person Plural
Saturday, April 27 ($12-25)
Rainier Arts Center
|
Who Gets to be a Taxpayer? Race, Tax Policy, and Segregation
Tuesday, April 30
McMenamins Anderson School (Bothell)
|
Gathering to Center Native Teacher Education
Thursday, May 2
Kane Hall 225 Walker-Ames Room, University of Washington (Seattle)
|
Rapid Response Training from Washington Immigrant Solidarity Network
Saturday, May 4
Meridian Park Elementary Library (Shoreline)
|
5th Annual Equity and Inclusion Conference
Friday, May 10 ($25)
ARC Building, University of Washington (Bothell)
|
|
|
Staff Reads features
books that Literacy Source staff are currently reading or would recommend. Read along with us and let us know what you think!
|
Staff: Sarah Olson
|
|
|
|
Current Volunteer Needs and Upcoming Trainings
|
Citizenship & ESOL
Tutors
Daytime, 2 x 1.5 hrs per week (6 month commitment, flexible times)
Digital Literacy Tutors
Daytime or evening, 1 hr. per week (
1 term commitment, flexible times)
Student Assessment Proctors
2-5 hr shifts every 7-10 weeks (daytime or evening)
Sight Words and Phonics Testers
1-3 hr shifts, 2 times every 7-10 weeks (daytime or evening)
Interpreters and Translators
As needed basis (1-3 hrs each time)
Languages needed: Amharic, Arabic, Chinese, French, Somali, Tigrinya, and Vietnamese
Outreach Helpers
As needed basis. Mulit-lingual a plus!
Training and ongoing support provided for all positions. For more information, please visit our
website
or contact
Caroline.
|
|
|
GED Toolkit
Tuesday, April 16
4-6 pm
Location: Literacy Source
|
|
Saturday, May 4
8:30 am-1 pm
|
|
Teaching Reading
Saturday, May 18
9 am-12 pm
Location: Literacy Source
Register here.
|
|
Roundtable - Teaching Writing
Tuesday, May 28
4-6 pm
Location: Literacy Source
Register here.
|
|
Roundtable - Teaching Writing
Wednesday, May 29
9 am-11 pm
Location: Literacy Source
Register here.
|
|
Tutor Orientation
Friday, May 31
9 am-12 pm
Location: Literacy Source
Register here.
|
|
|
New Volunteer Orientation
|
Please help us spread the word!
Our upcoming New Volunteer Orientation will be on Wednesday, May 1, at Literacy Source. Sessions will take place at 1 and 7 pm.
|
Important Dates and Center Closures
|
|
Literacy Source is open:
Mon and Wed, 8:30 am-8:30 pm
Tues and Thurs, 8:30 am-7:30 pm
Fridays, appointment only
Upcoming important dates and office closures:
May 6-9: No classes, tutoring only and center open for New Student Registration
May 27: Center closed for Memorial Day
June 17-20: Last week of spring classes
June 24-27: Center closed for classes and tutoring
|
Miss any of our past volunteer newsletters? Check out our last one here for
additional tips and resources. You can also access the newsletters at the bottom
of the
Volunteer Resources page of our website.
|
|
Literacy Source is on the traditional lands of the Duwamish people,
and we pay our respect to elders both past and present.
|
Literacy Source recognizes the inherent dignity, equality, and value of every person and strives to create and maintain a learning community that is respectful and welcoming. To foster and maintain a safe and inclusive community of respect, openness, understanding, and civility, it is crucial that students, volunteers, and staff are aware of their rights and options when confronting a discriminatory or bias-related incident. To read more, click here.
|
|
|
|
|
Copyright © 2019. All Rights Reserved.
|
|
|
|
