Summer 2012

Special Thanks to These Sponsors:

Oh, What a Night! Reading Between the Wines is a success raising over $65,000 for literacy

Critically acclaimed best-selling author Lisa See charmed

guests with a humorous and vivid account of her life, her Chinese-American background and the process of writing her latest novel, Dreams of Joy, to a crowd of 280 guests in attendance at the 5th Annual Reading between the Wines in March. The signature fundraiser was presented by Bank of America, headline sponsor and longtime supporter of literacy, and was held at the DoubleTree by Hilton Downtown Orlando. Attendees dined on delicious hors d’oeuvres and wine from local restaurants

and wineries. Guest emcee Laura Diaz of XL106.7FM entertained the crowd while a sampling of students shared personal stories of how the Adult Literacy League has helped them achieve their literacy goals.

This year’s silent auction, managed by a new electronic bidding system, featured all kinds of exciting items including: home entertainment packages, signed books, and sports memorabilia donated by local businesses and community supporters.

A team of talented and dedicated volunteers worked their magic to

make Reading between the Wines a huge success this year, raising over $65,000 to support the Adult Literacy League and the literacy services it provides in Central Florida.

The generous support of numerous business partners, including Ms. See who donated her appearance, ensured that funds raised will directly benefit the students and families served by the League.

From left, Photo 1: Author Lisa See talks about her novels, family, and Chinese-American history to an enthralled crowd. Photo 2: Adult Literacy League VISTA, Latisha Walker, assists a guest with the new Silent Bidz electronic bidding system. Photo 3: ALL staff member and student, Nadya Mishutina, wel-comes guests to Reading between the Wines.

Headline Sponsor

Best Cellar Sponsors

Page Turner Sponsors

Book Mark SponsorsBill and Lisa WarrenCentral States Enterprises, LLC.Datawise, Inc., Kate KinsleyDick Batchelor Mgmt. Group, Dick BatchelorFoley & Lardner, LLPKillgore, Pearlman, Stamp, Ornstein & Squires, P.A.KMPG, LLPLake Nona Ladies’ Book ClubLittler Mendelson, P.C.Lowndes, Drosdick, Doster, Kantor & Reed, P.A.M & I Bank, a part of BMO Financial GroupPam Brandon Editorial ServicesUstler Group of CompaniesFeatured DessertsHeartsong CookiesMelina & Michael Berry, pastry chefsYum Yum Cupcake Truck

Food SponsorsAnatolia Mediterranean CuisineCabot CreameryChianti’s Pizza & PastaFlippers PizzeriaInternational Delights CateringOLV CaféWine SponsorsDardenDon Sebastiani & SonsGruppo MezzacoronaTrinchero Family EstatesPremier Beverage

Thank you to these sponsors: Books-A-MillionDoubleTree by Hilton Orlando DowntownKM ProductionsLa Belle Vie PhotographyPenang NurseryRandy Bailey at SmartSourceSilent Bidz

Orlando Magic’s Exec Encourages Students to be Champions

Orlando Magic executive Lucas Boyce believes champions

are not only on the basketball court. “The Adult Literacy League and everyone involved are champions,” Boyce told a group of students learning English as a second language. Boyce, who is the Director of Community Relations, Government Affairs and Multicultural Insights for the Orlando Magic, visited the League this month and spoke to students

with hopes of encouraging them to remain motivated and dedicated to achieving their literacy goals.

Lina Puerta, Humberto Herran, and Rosario Valencia are the

latest successes resulting from hours of instruction in the Adult Literacy League’s citizenship classes. The classes are taught by popular literacy instructor, Vince Scalise, who has been tutoring and teaching at the League for 11 years. Puerta, Herran and Valencia are among the more than 24 students currently enrolled in the citizenship classes which meet twice weekly to help students prepare for the U.S. citizenship interview and exam. So far this year, 17 students have been sworn in as U.S. citizens. The students enrolled in Scalise’s class have a 100% success rate of passing their citizenship test. The national success rate is 90-94%, according to the U.S. Department of Citizenship and Immigration Services.

In an effort to give back, Ms. Puerta and her daughter, Catalina, are facilitating a 4-week intensive workshop to help students prepare for the U.S. citizenship test.

The workshop is held on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Students study the questions on the exam, prepare for their citizenship interviews and take part in mock interviews scheduled for the last day of the workshop, June 2nd. Materials for the workshop are provided by the U.S. Department of Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). USCIS volunteers will also be in attendance to review the citizenship process with students and conduct mock interviews. For more information, call 407-422-1540.

Proud to be an American New citizenship class offers tips to help more students pass exam

Above: Humberto Herran and Lina Puerta are proud to pass their American citizenship tests. Below: Catalina Perez works with a group of eager learners at the Adult Literacy League.

Below: Students in Vince Scalise’s ESOL class pose with Magic executive Lucas Boyce. Right: Boyce shares some wisdom with an Adult Literacy League class.

From left, Photo 1: Volunteers Katie Farmand and Sandy Nawrot pose for a picture after helping set up a silent auction display. Photo 2: Laura Diaz of XL106.7FM and ALL Executive Director Joyce Whidden enjoy the night. Photo 3: Guests check out the amazing silent auction items. Photo 4: One of the fantastic donations from SeaWorld Orlando. Photo 5: Volunteers Beryl and Rod Wiltshire take time to bid on items. Photo 6: Lisa See signs and presents her book to Disney’s Angie Sola.

Adult Literacy League volun- teers have logged in more

than 20,000 hours in the last 12 months! The League recognized the hard work and dedication of these volunteers with a Volunteer Appreciation Reception on April 24th. This year’s event featured a People’s Choice Award, where students, staff, and volunteers nominated some of our volunteers who have made special contributions above and beyond our request.

The winners were Ron Schorsch, for his outstanding work as a tutor and interviewer; Ian Schneider, a Board member, tutor, and key computer lab volunteer; Mary Recchia Brown, who for over 2 years has taught a weekly English as a Second Language class; and Magda Jabouin & Marie Joseph, a daughter-mother team who teach 2 English classes for Haitian-Creole speakers.

Our Volunteers are the BEST!

Staff, volunteers, and an Adult Literacy League founder enjoy a fantastic dinner. From left: Joyce Whidden, Lisa Warren, Mary Reccia Brown. Mary Esther, and Melissa Sublette.

So far this year, the Adult Literacy League has provided books and training materials to 300 low-income preschool children and their parents enrolled in its Read to Me! Book Club. The program encourages parents to read to their children and engage them in learning activities that will help them prepare for school. The Read to Me! Book Club is currently featured in a number of Head Start centers in Orange County and at the Orlando Day Nursery.

The program’s continued success is very much a result of corporate support from the Orlando Magic Youth Foundation, the Universal Orlando Foundation, and the Disney Helping Kids Shine Grant Program. The program continues to grow due to the generous support of these community partners.

Read to Me! Book Club Family Literacy Program Receives Major Grants to Serve Low-Income Children

The class erupted in laughter and cheers as volunteer instructor Magda Jabouin passed out handmade Mother’s Day cards to her students. Jabouin teaches English to Haitian-Creole speakers twice a week at the Adult Literacy League. The classes started in February, and since then, attendance has more than tripled from 4 students to nearly 32.

Jabouin’s energy and sparkling personality makes it hard to believe that the 44-year-old mother of 3 was bed-ridden just two years ago

as a result of fibromyalgia and rheumatoid arthritis. “I couldn’t hold anything, I couldn’t eat. I would just stay in bed crying,” Jabouin said. In 2010, she slipped into a coma that lasted for 13 hours. Days later, she recovered and had a new lease on life.

Today, Jabouin struts into class wearing three-inch heels and a big smile. The Haitian native teaches a second English class for the League at the Oak Ridge Neighborhood Center for Families. She teaches all of her classes with her mother,

Marie, who assists her with students who need extra help with their schoolwork. Her lessons involve the basics from learning the alphabet, colors and numbers to opening a bank account and paying bills. Jabouin loves watching her students eyes light up when they learn a new concept. “Honey, this is heaven!” she said.

Volunteer Discovers New Lease on Life, Helps Adults Learn English

Photo on left: Adult Literacy League Development Director Janel Stephens accepts a Helping Kids Shine trophy from Disney ambassador Jennifer Mason.

From left, Photo 1: Marie Joseph works with a Basic ESOL Haitian-Creole class. Photo 2: Magda Jabouin poses with her Haitian-Creole class. Photo 3: Jabouin shows off her handmade Mother’s Day cards.

ALL Remembers Longtime Volunteer and Literacy Advocate

The Adult Literacy League is deeply saddened at the loss of one of our most dedicated and supportive volunteers, Barbara Sweat, who passed away in December. Mrs. Sweat, 80, was a volunteer at the League for more than 30 years and, for several of those years, served on the Board of Directors. She played a key role in shaping the League’s strong fiscal management: when the Board decided to open a high

interest savings account, Mrs. Sweat promised to pay the $25 monthly service fee so the League would not have to absorb the cost. Months later, when the Board transferred the money into an account with no service charges, Mrs. Sweat promised to continue her $25 monthly gift to help more Central Floridians improve their literacy skills. She kept her promise until the day she died.

Barbara, thank you for being a literacy advocate and champion for our students, their children and

our community. You are truly missed!

PhotoScrapbook

Photo 1: Seasoned professional Rick Singh celebrates with ALL staff and volunteers at the Young Executive Committee of the Citrus Club’s inaugural Cocktails for a Cause event. Photo 2: Author Lisa See and Dr. Puxiao Cen pose for a photo at Reading between the Wines. Photo 3: Orlando Magic Youth Foundation awards the ALL $30,000 in support of its Read to Me! family literacy program. Photo 4: ALL VISTA, Lauren Dziechciarz (far right), celebrates volunteerism with her fellow Orlando Cares VISTAs. Photo 5: Zyad Bawatneh prepares his children to talk about ALL’s family literacy program during the Orlando Magic Youth Foundation’s spotlight on FOX Sports Florida. Photo 6: Fleur de Lys Healy and Carol Egolf enjoy dinner at the 2012 Volunteer Appreciation Reception. Photo 7: ALL volunteers Susie Findell and Lori Luedtke take a break from helping set up the silent auction at Reading between the Wines. Photo 8: Orlando Magic executive Lucas Boyce poses with ALL student Carla Cucurella. Photo 9: Author Lisa See poses with Asia Trend Magazine’s Shally Wong. Photo 10: ALL board member Shannon Owens Green enjoys a glass of wine with her husband Emory Green and volunteer Lesslee Corneilus. Photo 11: Tutor and board member Sandra Blossey smiles for the camera with tutor and former student Rynaldo Deshauteurs at Reading between the Wines.

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A D U LT L I T E R AC Y L EAG U E ‘12 B OA R D O F D I R EC TO RS

PresidentLeslie Golden, Esq., Valencia College

Vice PresidentS. Brendan Lynch, Esq., Lowndes, Drosdick, Doster, Kantor, & Reed, P.A.

TreasurerRick Caron, Esq., Foley & Lardner, LLP

SecretaryJessica Kepple, Fifth Third Bank

Heidi Bedell, Starwood Vacation OwnershipSandra Blossey, Ph.D. Community VolunteerSean Christiansen, Ph.D., UCFAmy DeYoung, Orlando HealthSuzanne Eustache, ALL StudentShannon Owens Green, Orlando Sentinel Mari Jones, St. Cloud Regional Medical Center

Morgan Knezovich, OUC – The Reliable OneKatie Stocz Miller, Orlando Magic Mary Ng, Darden RestaurantsDianne Randolph, Community VolunteerIan Schneider, Flippers PizzeriaPeggie Yu, KPMG

A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION FOR ORGANIZATION #SC01925 MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS BY CALLING TOLL FREE WITHIN THE STATE 1-800-435-7472. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE. NO OUTSIDE INDIVIDUAL OR FIRM HAS BEEN HIRED TO SOLICIT FUNDS ON BEHALF OF THIS ORGANIZATION. 100% OF CHARITABLE GIFTS ARE RETAINED BY THIS ORGANIZATION.

We make connections every day. We connect adults who

struggle to read with volunteer tutors who are committed to helping them achieve their goals. We connect low-income preschool children and their parents with books and materials so these children can become successful readers.

We need your support to continue to connect our literacy services to our friends and neighbors who need our help in East Orange County, Pine Hills and Eatonville.

Dr. Phillips Charities has provided an amazing opportunity for you to have DOUBLE the impact in our community. They will match, dollar-for-dollar, every NEW donation our friends make today through June 30, 2012.This means your gift of $25

instantly becomes $50. Your gift of $100 doubles to $200 and your gift of $250 becomes $500.Your gift of $500 supports students like Angel, who has struggled with reading and writing his entire life. After dropping out of school in the 5th grade, most of his adult life has been spent in a state of homelessness. His inability to complete a job application meant being chronically unemployed and underemployed. Angel was referred to the Adult Literacy League by one of our community partners. He now attends literacy classes weekly and has dreams of one day earning his GED.

Please help us reach more students like Angel through this great matching grant challenge. Your gift of any amount will help us touch twice as many lives! Donate today at www.adultliteracyleague.org.

THANK YOU!Recent Grants Received

Dr. Phillips Charities Matching Grant

Friends Host Events to Benefit ALL

In March, the Young Executives of the Citrus Club hosted its inaugural Cocktails for a Cause event to benefit students at the Adult Literacy League. FemCity Orlando president Leah Nash kicked-off the group’s first meeting with proceeds to benefit ALL. Branch Manager Steven Alch also organized a “Casual for a Cause” event at the Merrill Lynch’s Winter Park office. Employees made donations to ALL in exchange for wearing jeans on Friday. Monies raised from these events support the League’s one-to-one tutoring program.

New Book Club for ESOL Students

Earlier this month, ALL kicked-off a new book club for advanced ESOL students. The club meets on the first Tuesday of each month and is led by ALL volunteers Katherine Vaccaro and Laura Regier. This month’s reading selection is “Hoot” by Carl Hiaasen. Donated books are welcomed; future book club titles will be posted on our website at adultliteracyleague.org. For more information, please call 407-422-1540.

What’s the Buzz?

It’s that time again. Plans are firming up for the 3rd Annual Lawyers for Literacy Spelling Bee benefitting the Adult Literacy League. This award-winning event features a spirited competition among some of the sharpest minds in the legal community vying to become the next Spelling Bee Champion of the Year! Interested in competing or being a sponsor? Contact Alana Brenner at alanabrenner@hotmail.com or Daryl Gottlieb at dgottlieb@fisherlawfirm.com.

6th Annual Max Starks Football Camp

The Adult Literacy League is excited to participate in the 6th Annual Max Starks Football Camp on June 9th at 8 a.m. at Lake Highland Preparatory School. The camp is free for boys and girls ages 7 to 17 years of age. The camp incorporates life skills and literacy along with the importance of staying in school. To register, visit www.ncaafootballclinics.com. Call 407-423-2476 for more information.

Darden Restaurants FoundationDisney Helping Kids Shine Grant ProgramDollar General Literacy FoundationEdyth Bush Charitable FoundationPublix Super Market CharitiesUniversal Orlando Foundation

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@ALL4Literacy

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Photos in this newsletter courtesy of: Asia Trend Magazine La Belle Vie PhotographyChris Whidden Sung Chiu