LCoM Literacy Blog- September 18, 2014

LITERACY CENTER NEWS

My Dream

When I was a small girl I always dreamed about visiting the USA. I read a lot of things about this country; I looked at the pictures all time.  I called a small playground “Central Park” in my hometown and was always hopeful to visit  the real Central Park in New York. After finishing my high school, I started study at University in Poland. My dream remained only dream from my childhood. One day I have met person who told me that we are able to get whatever we want provided that we try to do it.
After this conversation I thought, “ It is my chance to try.”  Read more…

Literacy Award Night is Coming

The Literacy Center of Milford is holding a student and tutor recognition night. Literacy Awards: Student Essays and a Celebration of Anniversaries and Accomplishments will be on Thursday, September 25 at 7:00 P.M. at City Hall, River Street.  English as a second language students will have an opportunity to read their stories.  For some it will be the first time reading English in public.  The Junior Woman’s Club of Milford sponsors the event.
We will be celebrating several volunteer and student accomplishments;
20 year volunteer -Jean Cianciolo and Enid Heyse;
10 year volunteer – Janice Fodero, Melinda Karwon and Bonnie Sandel;
5 year volunteer- Marilyn Moger, Amy Zovner and Don Hastings. 
Student Accomplishments – Citizenship- Savun Bou Zander.
Drivers License- Maryam Rahim, Pavel Sharshniou, Nabila Amrani and Esperanza Castillo.

Employment advancements- Magdalena Simon and Halina Korwek and John Collins.

Milford teacher Casey Schwing has been selected to receive the Callahan-Holzwarth Award.  Casey works at St Gabriel School.  This memorial was started to honor one of our volunteers who was a tutor and also one of our office staff. She died suddenly in 2001. Betsy Callahan-Holzwarth was very active promoting reading to children and participated at her daughter’s school in that activity.  The PTA had honored her with the Parent of the Year Award.

We will also be honoring Gail Haas and Martha Salmon with our volunteer award. Read more…

 

Middle School Afterschool ”SUPERSTAR” Literacy Program

Literacy for Children

Interested in reading to children? 

The SUPERSTAR Reader After-school Program focuses on the individual middle school-age kid who struggles with reading and requires additional instruction. After-school “reading time” is from 2:30 PM – 3:15 PM on Monday through Friday at West Shore Middle School and Harborside Middle School.  Call 203-878-4800 to find out more information.

 

Challenges and difficulties that are stressing you.
Multiply those five-fold for immigrants who have left home to live in a new country.
We are all stressed; the environment is stressed. Wars, money troubles, unemployment, water shortages, pollution, violence, unsafe schools, fears, horrendous fare on TV and in movies and video games, addictions, addictive junk food, dieting, divorce, disasters, death of loved ones…we can make ourselves sick just from reading this (sadly partial) list.
Add: language barriers, culture shock, prejudice, dangerous living conditions, poverty to the levels of stress our immigrant students cope with.  Read more.

Tutor Training in West Haven begins September 29
The Literacy Center of Milford is offering a five-week volunteer TUTOR TRAINING class in ESL (English as a Second Language) for West Haven’s non-English-speaking adults, beginning in September 2014. Classes will be held at the West Haven Community House, 227 Elm St, in West Haven from 6:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. on Monday, September 29, Oct 6, 20, 27 and Nov 3rd.  There is a $25 fee for course materials. Knowledge of a foreign language is not necessary. All prospective tutors will be interviewed in advance.  For further information, call The Literacy Center office between the hours of 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. at 203-878-4800.  Read more…

POWER UP AND JOIN OUR
COMPUTER CLASS

Our modern world is rooted in the computer so you need the skills. The Literacy Center of Milford is turning on its computer just for you and offering a hands-on computer class and workshop designed for individuals to learn basic computer skills and become comfortable with using computers for personal use. Our program also may increase your chances of getting a job. Participants will learn how to search the web, open and manage an email account, read and send emails, search for documents, and attach documents to emails. It also will help you ‘join the conversation’ by engaging in social media. Participants will also learn how to use Microsoft Word to write documents. All tutors and students (past and present) are invited.

Read more. 

 

MASQUERADE BALL

 This year, The Literacy Center of Milford has good cause to celebrate! 2014 marks our 20th year of enriching the lives of so many residents and their children in need of our vital literacy programs and services in the Greater Milford Area and, beginning this fall, will include West Haven and Stratford. 

Read more…