Site Menu
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| Greater Hartford |
| Literacy Council |
| One Union Place |
| Hartford, CT 06103 |
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(860) 522- 7323
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(860) 522- READ |
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Announcements
More announcements and events can be found in our Event Calendar.
Annual Book Survey
Through Books at Home, the Literacy Council makes new and gently used books available to member literacy programs in two ways, 1) through our First Book grants, and 2) through our annual spring/summer distribution of donated books. As a partner, the role of providers of literacy services is to use any books received from us in literacy activities and then send most books home with the participants.
To be eligible to receive books or book grants, we ask our members to complete a book survey each year. The book survey provides us with information about a program's need for books and helps us make book allocation decisions (completion of this survey does not guarantee the receipt of books).
Please note that organizations must meet the eligibility guidelines to receive books from the Literacy Council. If you would like to be considered for our summer book distribution, we must receive your completed book survey (and membership materials if not already a member) by Friday, June 9, 2006. We would be happy to receive the survey by fax, e-mail or through conventional mail:
Books at Home
Volunteers are Needed this Summer!
IF YOU ARE:
- An individual or group interested in supporting literacy programs
- A civic group, faith-based group, or other community organization
- The parent of a high school student interested in community service
WE NEED YOUR HELP!
The Literacy Council's Books at Home initiative, designed to provide books for literacy programs serving low-income families, is gearing up for our annual summer distribution of more than 10,000 books. We are looking for volunteers to help with the many tasks involved with preparing the books for distribution at our storage area at 100 Pearl Street in Hartford. (Parking is available in the parking garage below the building. We will validate parking for volunteers.)
Specific Tasks:
- Sorting books (by condition and reading levels)
- Counting books
- Inserting bookmarks and stamping the books
- Filling allocation orders and packing books
Skills Needed:
- Basic clerical skills (counting and recording numbers and titles)
- The ability to lift and carry books
Hours Needed:
- Volunteers are needed from mid-June through mid-August
- Hours to be covered are between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday
- If you have two hours a week, two hours a day, or more time to commit, your time will be appreciated
Interested individuals should contact the Literacy Council at (860) 522-7323 to request an Application to Volunteer. Youth ages 14 and over are welcome to apply to volunteer with a parent's permission.
Take Action for Literacy: The TANF Workforce Literacy Pilot Project 2006
- Full Report and Recommendations (May 2006)
- Executive Summary (March 2006)
To examine and improve the educational and workforce skills of Temporary Family Assistance (TFA) recipients, the Greater Hartford Literacy Council implemented the TANF Workforce Literacy Pilot Project in 2005. Administered as a partnership with Capital Workforce Partners and involving several other project partners, the Pilot Project was funded with $250,000 from the Connecticut General Assembly.
This report provides an overview of key issues and recommended action steps that address the educational needs of people with low literacy skills who are receiving Temporary Family Assistance (TFA). While the educational needs of TFA recipients is the focus of the report, many of the issues and recommendations have implications for the educational needs of more than one million Connecticut adults who have low literacy skills.
The Pilot Project report makes the following recommendations to increase the long-term success and economic self-sufficiency of TFA recipients whose low literacy levels and/or limited English proficiency present a significant barrier to securing family supporting employment:
- Improve Assessment at the CT Works One-Stop Career Centers
- Improve Adult Basic Education and Job Training Services
- Bridge Traditional Divides Across State Agencies and Funding Streams
What is the significance of the Pilot Project and report?
- An opportunity has been created to leverage additional funding to address workforce literacy in Hartford and the region.
- The value of the Literacy Council as a champion and resource for literacy has been demonstrated.
- Pilot Project results demonstrate the value of an intermediary organization.
- Hartford programs and residents benefited from the Pilot Project.
- The TANF Pilot Project serves as a model for systemic reform.
Literacy USA
The National Alliance of Literacy Coalitions
Carl Guerriere Elected President of the Board of Directors
At its annual meeting in Washington, D.C., Literacy USA voted new officers and members to the board of directors. Carl Guerriere, Greater Hartford Literacy Council Executive Director, was voted in as President of the Board. Headquartered in Houston, Texas, Literacy USA: The National Alliance of Literacy Coalitions, is a network of member organizations including literacy coalitions from 27 states, representatives of state directors of education, literacy funders and others involved in building literate communities. The 66 members of Literacy USA (including the Greater Hartford Literacy Council) represent more than 4,400 literacy service providers and more than 2.7 million clients. Literacy USA's mission is to promote and strengthen literacy coalitions as they create literate communities, thereby enhancing the quality of the lives of individuals and the vitality of our society.
Rebecca Humphrey, Executive Director of Literacy USA said, "Carl Guerriere's leadership skills and ability to understand the needs of those we serve are of the utmost benefit to Literacy USA. As Carl assumes the leadership of the Board of Directors of Literacy USA, he brings a dedication to the greater good and a passion for doing the work that impacts the lives of those around us. That passion and a commitment to all people will lead Literacy USA to have a greater impact across the nation."
According to Guerriere, "The Board of Directors of Literacy USA is an esteemed group of colleagues representing literacy coalitions, government agencies, and funders from across the country including Alabama, New York City, Texas, Massachusetts, Wisconsin, South Carolina, Florida, Louisiana, and Washington, D.C. I am looking forward to working with them and the members of Literacy USA to strengthen the work of local literacy coalitions."
Greater Hartford Literacy Council's Quarterly Luncheon Meetings
Join the Literacy Community at the Literacy Council's Quarterly Luncheon meeting. Each meeting features an update on the activities of the Literacy Council, networking opportunities, a keynote speaker, and a delicious lunch.
| Next Meeting Dates: |
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Location: |
May 18, 2006
August 24, 2006
November 16, 2006
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11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. |
Pond House Café
1555 Asylum Ave.
West Hartford, CT
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(Please note: reservations are required)
For more information on future meetings, please visit our Events Calendar or call us at (860) 522-7323.
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