December 2022 - Share the Joy!
Literacy Delaware Newsletter
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From the Desk of the Executive Director |
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Dear Friends,
During the holiday I am reminded of the many blessings I have. If you are reading this newsletter, then you’ve been blessed with the gift of literacy and all the opportunities and potential it provides.
In the US 130 million Americans - 54% of adults between the ages of 16-74 years old lack proficiency in literacy, reading below the equivalent of a 6th grade level. Delaware’s statistics are just as staggering - 54% as well.
I’m so grateful for the many lives we have impacted thanks to your generosity. As we approach the end of the year, we need your continued support. Together we can offer hope to Delaware families through proficient literacy skills.
From our family to your family – Happy Holidays and best wishes for a New Year filled with many blessings!
Cindy
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Welcome New Board of Directors Member Colin Murphy |
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Mr. Murphy is an Executive Director at JPMorgan Chase and is currently serving as the Area Product Owner for the firmwide Digital Communications platform and has worked in digital product development and marketing roles for over 25 years. While attending UD, Mr. Murphy volunteered as a tutor at the Latin American Community Center in Wilmington where he saw firsthand the challenges facing adults with low English proficiency. Mr. Murphy has always believed in the power of language to increase understanding and open opportunities for economic advancement. He is thrilled to join the board of Literacy Delaware, and excited to support the organization's mission to empower personal success through literacy.
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Please make your tax deductible donation to help our learners continue to reach their goals! They can't do it without YOU! |
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License to a Better Job – Learner Nora |
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Nora had driven in her native Venezuela for many years. She wanted to get her driver’s license here in Delaware in hopes of getting around more easily and getting a better job. She studied the questions on the test with her volunteer tutor Christiane over a couple of months. Christiane would make up questions from the DMV test and she and Nora would discuss them in addition to completing their regular lessons. While many people taking their driving test are nervous, this was not the case for Nora who confidently asserted: “I knew I could do it because I studied so it made me feel comfortable. I understood the rules and the streets and the directions.”
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“It has made it easier to get to work” says Nora about achieving this milestone. And she has received a promotion. Now she’s able to drive others to the job and “the driver is in charge of the group; they tell everyone who does what.”
Way to go, Nora and thank you for your efforts to help Nora succeed, Christiane!
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A New Citizen Realizing Her Potential – Learner Debora |
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Debora came to the United States from Italy not speaking a word of English. She worked with her husband in a pizzeria. Working with her Literacy Delaware tutor Anita as well as participating in a Conversation Group, Debora continued to improve her ability to speak and understand English. Her enhanced skills allowed her to secure a better job in the cafeteria of a local school. “I work in nutrition in the cafeteria. I make sandwiches and serve the students in the high school” explains Debora.
In addition to improving her employment status, Debora worked with her tutor to study for the citizenship exam, which she recently passed. “The test was easy (for me) because my tutor is fantastic! She helped me with every question, and I studied for the questions too.”
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Debora credits her work with Literacy Delaware for her achievements. “My tutor is very patient. She encourages and helps me in every way.” Conversation group has helped Debora understand more about her new home country. “I like it when there is a holiday in America and I learn the history about it (in conversation group). When I started in the group, I muted my microphone. Now I feel more comfortable, and I speak too.”
Further enhancing her English skills, Debora enjoys reading romance novels she finds at the Greenwood library in English on her own as well as reading with her 9-year-old daughter at night. The two are currently reading books from The Dork Diaries series. “She reads to me, and I read to her. The books are not really my thing, but she likes them.”
“I like it in the United States. I’m so happy for everything because when I came to America, I didn’t speak a word of English” summarizes Debora of her current situation. Brava, Debora, and continued success!
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Founded in 1983, Literacy Delaware will be celebrating our 40th year in 2023! Please watch for information about special events, etc. in our anniversary year!
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A very special shout out to tutor Barbara Rafte and to Learner Svitlana for taking the time to share their Literacy Delaware stories with our Board of Directors at a recent board retreat. They were so inspiring!
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On behalf of the staff of Literacy Delaware, we are pleased to announce and introduce to you, our inaugural cohort of AmeriCorps members, Kimberly Taylor, Dawn Gonzalez, Christina McDermott, Sharron Gates, and Jennifer Marrero. They bring a wealth of professional experience, compassion, and drive to help us “Get Things Done”.
In September 2022, Literacy Delaware was awarded a grant from AmeriCorps Delaware. This grant opportunity has allowed us to recruit and onboard five new members to our team. Over the next 10 months, these members will complete 900 hours of service, and help us achieve our mission and meet the needs of learners throughout the state of Delaware. In recognition of their service with us, all AmeriCorps members receive a monthly stipend and an education award for completion of the program requirements.
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This group will help bring back in person classes, increase intensity of instruction, eliminate the learner waitlist, and provide overall support to increase the capacity of our organization. These folks are complementary to our AmeriCorps Vista, Andre Pellegrin and we are thrilled to have their support.
If you have any questions about our AmeriCorps program or want to learn more about joining the team, please contact Leslie McGowan, Operations@literacydelaware.org.
For more information about our AmeriCorps members and their work, please follow our Facebook page!
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Meet AmeriCorps Vista Member Andre Pellegrin |
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Andre Pellegrin is our AmeriCorps VISTA member who joined Literacy Delaware this past June. He graduated from St. John’s College, Annapolis in 2018, studying Philosophy and then went on to Goucher College to earn a Master’s degree in Nonfiction Writing in 2020. Previously, Andre worked as an AmeriCorps member helping to serve wounded, ill, and injured military veterans with Warrior Community Connect where he listened to their stories and assisted in their struggle to reintegrate into society after catastrophic mental and physical injuries.
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His work has focused on helping to uncover strategies to increase the operational capacity of the organization and create methods of bringing awareness to the problem of illiteracy in the state of Delaware. Andre has assisted the team with consolidating videos for social media and for tutor/learner usage, assisted in community events like the recent Blood Drive, met with community leaders like the Rotary to spread information about the problem of illiteracy, assisted Operations Director Leslie McGowan in bringing on 5 new AmeriCorps members. A particular highlight of Andre's work was the creation of a written report for the Delaware Department of Health and Human Services bringing together all the statistics and offering potential questions that will guide the state in its efforts to eliminate poverty.
This opportunity has been rewarding for Andre who did not realize how dire the problem of illiteracy in Delaware truly was. He came to learn that about half of the Delaware population struggles with illiteracy.
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Andre appreciates all the work that such a small staff has been able to accomplish in the organization’s 40-year lifespan and appreciates all the work the volunteer tutors do – their motivation and dedication day in and day out are inspiring. “It has been a continual learning process to strategize the ways we can help the most people who need it” says Andre, who will continue his work with Literacy Delaware through June.
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Interested in tutoring or know someone who might be interested?
We need YOU!
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Did you know Literacy Delaware has a Facebook page?
Please "like” us on Facebook and share our posts to help us spread the news!
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Please donate to help us reach more learners throughout Delaware! |
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Literacy Delaware, Inc.
P.O. Box 2083
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