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Message from Literacy Team
Back in (mostly) full swing!

Hi Literacy Mentors and supporters,

Lots of updates but first we're thrilled to welcome Andrea to the Literacy team.

"I’m Andrea, an AmeriCorps VIP Fellow serving with ENP. I joined the ENP family in September of this year. Previously, I worked for the U.S. Department of Agriculture and recently felt a calling to serve my community. I’ve always had a heart to serve and decided I wanted to make a more direct impact. I’m excited to begin this new chapter of service. 

I’ve really enjoyed working with the Literacy Team and helping students become stronger readers. I struggled when I was learning to read and didn’t enjoy it much until I discovered the R.L. Stine’s Goosebumps series. That series ignited my love of reading, and I’ve been an avid reader since. I’m looking forward to the year ahead, working with our partners and volunteers supporting schools and seeing children excel."

Blessings!
Jenessa, Erika, and Andrea

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. - Philippians 4:6-7

Upcoming Dates
Orientations:​​

Wednesday, November 3:
  • VLM Training K-2, 4:00-6:00pm on Zoom
Thursday, November 4:
  • K-2 Training 10:00am-12:00noon at 1719 L St (Leadership Training Center)
Tuesday, November 9:
  • 3-6 Training, 1:00-3:00pm at 1719 L St (Leadership Training Center)
Wednesday, November 10:
  • VLM Training 3-6, 4:00-6:00pm on Zoom


Important Dates:​​
  • Monday, November 11 - Veteran's Day Holiday, no school
  • November 22-26 - Thanksgiving Holiday, no school


Save the Date:
  • Wednesday, December 10 - Literacy Holiday Party 10am-12noon
Current Literacy Sites
31 Virtual Literacy Mentors,
84 Literacy & Read Fresno Mentors

working with

  • 47 kids online
  • 245 kids in-person during the school day
  • 110 kids in-person at after school

Literacy News & Resources
What was the impact of remote learning?
Remote learning was not easy for any of our students. As we've started back at school, we've seen that our kids are further behind across the board. But the gap that already existed between middle-class and low-income neighborhood schools has grown exponentially (see chart above). *Note these are the averages of the lowest readers at both schools- just the students referred for Literacy Mentoring.

Many of our low-income families did not have access to quality and affordable internet, digital devices in the home or the same level of digital literacy before the pandemic. These disparities made a bad situation worse.

Schools and teachers are working hard to make up lost time, but they could use your support! Email us to get plugged in!
New this year!
Upper Elementary Support
For years, our 3rd-6th grade teachers have asked “When is it our turn?” and we’re so excited to finally be launching a pilot program to support their classrooms! 
Thanks to 12 Fresno State Psychology Masters program students, we’re piloting our 3rd-6th grade curriculum with 59 students at Kirk Elementary. 

We’re also working with a handful of upper elementary students online as well.
See an outline of the program online in this video:
Read Fresno After School Support
Our Read Fresno program with Fresno State is taking their work to the next level! In past years, mentors supported existing after school programs at schools and apartment complexes, but this year they are running 4 of their own programs! The program includes an hour of intensive reading intervention so school sites refer specific students that need the support. We are proud of our mentors’ learning and hard work!

To learn more contact Erika@everyneighborhood.org
Virtual Literacy Mentoring Update!
If you are working with students online you will now be logging in at

Tutorfly rebranded to GoSchoolbox but still gives us access to their platform for free!
To learn more about Virtual Literacy Mentoring,

More Reading Resources!
Madison Herron, who volunteered this summer with us through the Wonderful Butterfly Project, put these great Wonders Decodables into an online format for you to use with kids! They are even matched to ENP sight word lists. Click link below to check out those and other great resources (scroll down to the "Decodables" tab).

Partnership Resources
Health Survey
Our Neighborhood Health and Wellness Team is helping collect data for the local health department.

Please take 10 min to fill out this survey, the link is below.
Thank you Fresno Rotary and Golden 1!
We’re so grateful for the financial support of local organizations that allows us to keep helping our students. Fresno Rotary supported our classroom literacy kits and take-home literacy kits (for virtual mentors). Golden 1 support allowed us to hire Andrea Ricci who is running our Virtual Literacy Mentoring program and recruiting volunteers in all programs for us- talk about exponential growth!
Have a Saturday free in November?
Saturday Sports
Our Saturday Sports program at Olmos Elementary could use a couple extra hands on Saturday, November 20 from 9-11am. You can bring your kids with you too!

Email justin@everyneighborhood.org if interested in learning more about Saturday Sports!
Literacy Mentor Spotlight
Dominick Cardenas, Read Fresno at Fresno State, Parks at Fig Gardens

How did you hear about ENP and Read Fresno? What made you decide to become a mentor?
I was first introduced to the organization and the RF program through a friend. As I had finished my very first semester of college, I wanted to attempt to branch out and find a manageable job, while also being able to balance school. When I heard of the opportunity to become a member of Read Fresno, I felt that mentoring was a perfect fit. The concept of mentoring for me was a no-brainer. Despite the title of “literacy mentor”, the ability to help students outside of just literacy but also serve for them as a life coach is an opportunity that I could not pass up.

What do you enjoy most about working at the Parks?
Working at the Parks is enjoyable for a variety of reasons. First and foremost, work does not feel like work there. After being there for about two years, I have gotten into a groove with my staff, students, parents, and fellow Read Fresno mentors regarding how to run the ASP. Despite the movements from in-person assistance to a completely virtual program, I go into work every day happy to help students continue developing their young minds for the future ahead of them.

What is your hope for your students at the Parks?
My hope for students at the Parks is simple. I strive to see these students outgrow me in terms of academics, personal life, and many other aspects. As a diehard Star Wars fan, I think Grand Jedi Master Yoda stated it best: “We are what they grow beyond.” To have my students one day move on from the program, and one day hopefully serve their community in a similar manner is a success within itself.

Who was an encouraging adult in your life?
A longtime teacher, friend, and overall great individual that has encouraged me in the course of my life would be my high school teacher and former robotics coach Xiong Cha. At a very important stage of my life and academics, Xiong was always there to guide and offer advice. Taking situations outside of the classroom and boiling them down into simple yet understandable teaching moments influenced me heavily to want to be the best man I could be in anything I do.

What was your favorite book as a child?
My favorite book as a child was without a doubt Heir to the Empire by Timothy Zahn. Being introduced to Star Wars at a young age, this was the first book that truly expanded a movie franchise for me in a satisfying and universe-accurate manner. If I had to choose a book that was not related to Star Wars, my second favorite book/series was The Hunger Games. 

CHW highlighted Dominick and one of his students, Athena, in their annual fundraiser.  Proud of them both!
Thank you Dominick for sharing your story! We are thankful for you!