Hello Voter Literacy, Talk Time, and Reading Success this month!
Sept. 21: Voter Literacy Trivia Night, sponsored by Madison Family Enterprises - McDonald's Collierville, and Delta Life Fitness
Thank you to Circuit Court Clerk Temiika Gipson, Mayor Lee Harris, and Shelby County Commissioner David Bradford for sharing their knowledge and helping players with trivia of civics, US citizenship, and voting. Trivia host and University of Memphis Law Professor Steve Mulroy said it best: for our democracy to work we must understand it.
English Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) classes in session!
We have 16 students currently enrolled in fall classes, and new students join every week for in-person and virtual classes and conversation. Space is available in our early morning beginner and evening advanced sessions.

Talk Time conversation class is back every Thursday from 10-12, and has grown to a point where we are moving to Collierville Presbyterian Church, who generously donates use of the space. This is open to the community.
Reading Intervention Success!
Andy Smith joined us this summer for Reading Intervention. When he started the program, he would hide in the bathroom, and tell his tutor Cathy that it wasn't any use to teach him because he would never get it. Last year's virtual school was very hard for Andy, and he said he disliked school.

After 12 sessions, Andy is up three reading grade levels, and now he's working to help other children in school with their homework.

"I believed in the program when he started," said his mom Melissa Smith, pictured to the right with Andy. "Now that I've seen these results, I'm an even bigger believer."
Thank you to Alston Construction for the donation of a SMART Board

Thank you to Chad Lindsay and Alston Construction for sponsoring the purchase of a SMART board for our teaching and volunteer tutor staff! Support from our community makes serving our students possible, and we thank Alston for their generous support to help us more effectively share the gift of literacy.

Are you interested in supporting the work we do with a sponsorship? Email Penny to find out how you can help.
Volunteers needed!
IT Professionals: We have a need for application support, a web developer, and hardware support -
Development: help with event planning and fundraising
Reading Intervention Tutor (In-Person and Virtual)
ESOL Conversation (Virtual)
ESOL Cultural Programming

Volunteer opportunities are 2-4 hours each week, and are available depending on your schedule. Please contact Dawn Eichhorn if you're interested in volunteering.
Save the Dates (through November):
Global Tea on Oct. 27, 2021 from noon - 3 pm
Students and community members are welcome to bring a tea or sweet treat from their native country to share and talk with each other. Open to the community to attend. Contact Sinaria El Hassan for more information.

Family Literacy Day on Nov. 7 2-4 pm at Collierville United Methodist Church
The PTO leaders of Collierville Schools will host an open family literacy event around Pumpkin Stew. Open to the community. Contact Penny Aronson for more information.

ESOL End of Fall Semester Potluck/Celebration on Nov. 17
Students from morning and evening classes will bring dishes to share and talk about with each other. Open to the community to attend. Contact Sinaria for more information.