Date post: | 06-Apr-2016 |
Category: |
Documents |
Upload: | michelle-hudson |
View: | 224 times |
Download: | 4 times |
® Bonita Springs Cape Coral Fort Myers Lehigh Acres
www.literacygulfcoast.com
Annual Report 2012-2013
1
Our Mission:
To assist adults and children to acquire the literacy skills
necessary to improve their quality of life
Our Beliefs:
We believe in the power of literacy to improve the lives of
our students, their families, communities and society.
We believe in providing our students with the highest quality
of literacy education and related services where respect,
integrity, inquiry, creativity and diversity contribute to
individual achievement and the transformation of lives and
communities.
We believe in the power of tutors and our partners to make
a difference in the lives of our students, helping them to reach
their full potential.
History/Facts
Literacy Council was formed in 1989.
Literacy educational services include English language,
conversation, reading, writing, pronunciation, computer
classes, GED readiness study and U.S. Citizenship classes; the
Carol DeJoy Moms and Tots Family Literacy Program and
worksite literacy.
The Literacy Council employs three full-time employees and
12 part-time employees. The average cost to teach a student
English is less than $200 per year.
The current operating budget is approximately $500,000.
Tutors and volunteers contribute time that is valued at excess
of $1 million. Around a third of our funding comes from
United Way, one third from individual donations and a final
third from grants. The Literacy Council receives no
government funding.
The Board of Directors currently includes 14 members.
Our organization includes the Board and four standing
committees: executive (officers), finance, marketing, program,
and technology – with a combination of board, staff,
volunteers and operating staff and tutors.
The Board has a long term strategic plan and yearly
objectives.
Serving as a United Way Resource House host agency in
Bonita Springs, we partner with over twenty-five agencies.
Some partners include Goodwill, Hope Hospice, Good
Wheels, ACT, Bonita Assistance, Healthy Start, Café of Life,
Catholic Charities, Family Health Centers, Red Cross, School
District’s Early Head Start, FGCU, local health care providers,
area churches and city facilities, libraries and area banks.
We partner with many businesses throughout the area in the
following ways: we offer classes/tutoring for their
employees; we partner for special events and provide partner
companies with visibility on our website.
Accomplishments/Special Events
2012-2013
Summer (July-September 2012)
Literacy Council Gulf Coast Fort Myers office opened at
the East United Way House on Palm Beach Boulevard,
bringing us closer to the large Hispanic population in the
East Fort Myers corridor. Our Data Manager serves as
the Council manager for programs there. This is another
example of our partnerships with other United Way
agencies.
27 tots graduate from Bonita Springs and Fort Myers
Carol DeJoy Moms & Tots Family Literacy Program.
A new partnership formed with FGCU Spanish
professors to offer their student opportunities for credits
in collaboration with the Council. Advanced FGCU
students gave oral Spanish presentations to our evening
students. Intermediate students also worked with the
Council. The work with Literacy Council Gulf Coast was
written into the class syllabus.
Fall (October-December 2012)
Literacy Council Gulf Coast Women’s Committee
formed and inaugural meetings held.
Legacy Appreciation Bistro event held at the Council.
Winter (January-March 2013)
Big Rig Books began children and adult book giveaway
partnership with the Council.
Annual winter in-service tutor training held at Council
offices.
Susan served on a regional panel hosted by the United
Way and Southwest Florida Community Foundation, to
discuss the merger process, highlighting the process and
results.
Norris Fine Furniture, in conjunction with Barnes and
Noble Booksellers, held its first “The Writer’s Domain”
event in the Fort Myers showroom to benefit the
Literacy Council. Proceeds for the Council included
$2,323.
United Way invited Literacy Council Gulf Coast to
present its Kids+ Lifelong Learning program to the
Hendry County School Board to explore the literacy
needs in Hendry County.
10th Annual Literacy Legacy Breakfast fundraiser held at
the Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort on March 1,
2013. Over $118,000 in donations received.
Kathy Anderson, Moms & Tots Coordinator was
honored by the Literacy Council Gulf Coast at the
annual Good Wheels, Inc. Recognition Luncheon.
Spring (April-June 2013)
Annual Tutor/Volunteer recognition luncheon held at
the Council to honor volunteers’ service to the
organization and its students.
Women’s Committee hosted a shopping event at
Chico’s Family Store. Proceeds included $533.
Edison College Partnership began with Literacy Council
Gulf Coast to explore ways to expand Kids+ Lifelong
Learning program to reach remedial college students in
danger of dropping out due to limitations in English
language comprehension and college level writing
ability.
Literacy Council Gulf Coast awarded $6,399 in a
Gannett Foundation Community Action Grant for the
Kids+ Lifelong Learning program at area Title I schools.
Literacy Council Gulf Coast met with Senator Marco
Rubio’s staff regarding immigration reform to begin a
proactive working relationship.
United Way increased our annual allocation from
$158,000 to $165,000.
Annual Accomplishments:
Enrollment in three of our Moms & Tots programs,
Leitner Creek, Manna, and Interfaith, has doubled.
Literacy Council Gulf Coast has secured enough tutors
for our Goodwill and Tice Moms & Tots programs,
which has improved the instruction and has allowed
consistency of instructors for our students.
ESL classes offered at FGCU for employees of the
university.
GED preparation classes offered with childcare
provided.
In Partnership with the Lee County School District, our
Kids+ Lifelong Learning program taught English to 849
students at 15 area Title I schools. Among the many
benefits of the program, the schools report increased
volunteerism by the parents. This program has grown
tremendously from one school in the 2011-2012 school
year.
15 schools (listed below) offered 42 classes per
week. 602 adults and 247 children studied during
the 2012-2013 school year.
o Bonita Middle School
o East Lee County High School
o Edgewood Academy
o Harns Marsh Elementary
o Headstart Parent University
o J. Colin English Elementary
o Lehigh Acres Elementary
o North Fort Myers Arts
Academy
o Orange River Elementary
o Orangewood Elementary
o River Hall Elementary
o Sunshine Elementary
o Tice Elementary
o Treeline Elementary
o Villas Elementary
Active Tutors and Students
Students Tutors
FY 2000 141 133
FY 2001 277 146
FY 2002 511 304
FY 2003 776 337
FY 2004 962 393
FY 2005 1,252 419
FY 2006 1,379 490
FY 2007 1,549 594
FY 2008 1,752 563
FY 2009 1,797 549
FY 2010 1,957 543
FY 2011 2,554 599
FY 2012 3,246 830
FY 2013 3,301 816
Group Programs
Active Group
Classes
Teachers Students
11 Moms & Tots Family
Literacy Classes:
Manna Christian (1 BS)
Old 41 (2 BS)
San Carlos Park (2)
Fort Myers (5)
Lehigh (1)
36 volunteers
5 PT paid
1,410 mothers
and children
115 Group Classes
281 volunteers 1,891 adults
Moms and Tots 1,410
Adult students: 1,891
Total students: 3,301
Other individual and small group classes are held throughout Lee
County and North Naples.
Worksite Programs
7 Active Programs Tutors Students
Collier’s Reserve
Imperial Golf Course
Bentley Village
Shadow Wood
West Bay Club
Pelican Sound
Cypress Cove
17
4
11
39
7
20
6
14
4
11
27
17
23
10
Seven active worksite programs had 104 tutors and 106
students. Pelicans Nest will begin a new program this fall and four
sites have undergone changes in management and volunteer
coordinators resulting in individual tutors relocating to offer
students instruction at the Literacy Council offices.
Student Accomplishments
According to the 2012-13 Student Survey: a majority are
meeting goals to:
Be able to communicate with others in English.
To learn to speak English to get a good/better job.
To help children with their homework.
To get a GED.
To go to college.
To become a U.S. citizen (in 2012, 16 students
became citizens).
From our students:
“We learn so much vocabulary, phonics, and
grammar.”
“I don’t feel as scared as I used to now that I
practice my English in class.”
According to our annual study, 100% of Moms and Tots
graduates began school average or above average as
compared to their classmates.
Over 98% of students are satisfied or very satisfied with the
school.
Student Assessments
The first two rounds of the Assessment Refinement Initiative
were completed for all students in the Moms and Tots
program and those in one worksite literacy program.
Students were assessed in 2012 and one year later in 2013 to
determine progress. Students showed decisive improvements
in their levels of English language expertise.
Moms, in particular, have lower levels of ability due to
limited education. Many have never been to school and
are illiterate in their own languages. As a result, when
entering our program, they begin at the low beginner
stage. After one year, they showed dramatic results
given their educational challenges and family
responsibilities.
Moms & Tots Family Literacy Program
2012-2013
The West Bay worksite program has been operating for
one full year and these employee/students began at a
higher level than the moms. Their results were equally
dramatic.
West Bay Worksite Program
2012-2013
Thanks to the hard work and dedication of our volunteer tutors
and staff, this assessment piece shows that our students are indeed
improving their abilities as a result of study at the Literacy Council.
Their life challenges create many obstacles to learning, but for
those who are regular attendees, the results are dramatic and their
lives are truly improved. We are thrilled with the growth our
students have exhibited.
Value of a volunteer’s work
Independent Sector, in 2012, calculates the value of volunteer
work at $22.14 per hour (Based on average hourly,
nonsupervisory wages + 12% fringe benefits). Volunteers gave
approximately 84,300 hours to students and the Council in FY
2012-13.
84,300 hours x $22.14 = $1,866,402
Literacy Benefits Everyone
In our economy:
Adults improve job performance
Adults improve job status
Adults make informed purchases
Our community benefits from a more educated
workforce
In our schools:
Adults participate in their children’s education
Children start school ready to learn
The school district saves time and money when
children arrive with necessary skills
In society:
Adults learn to assimilate to the American
culture. Our community benefits when families
become part of our cultural fabric.
®
Bonita Springs Cape Coral Fort Myers Lehigh Acres
Improving Lives through Literacy