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The Igniting Superhero Readers Internship is in full swing!
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Our 32 interns are working with more than 90 students this summer. Through reading, writing, and 1:1 tutoring support, we are promoting the power of literacy at each of our partner sites.
Our interns attend professional development training on Thursdays, and we’ve learned from many of our community partners.
First Bank provided financial literacy to our interns during their professional development. Carolina, Karen, and Katie offered insight into budgeting, goal-setting, and maintaining good credit. Our interns came with questions and were eager to soak up the wisdom of these community partners.
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Lindsey from Read to Succeed also partnered with us this summer! As the Elementary Literacy Director, Lindsey provided essential insights into Early Childhood 101 and introduced our summer interns to the idea of “serve and return.” As young learners offer their curiosities and interests, we can return their engagement with questions, activities, and connections to their learning goals. This reciprocal relationship is essential to working with young children, and we appreciate learning from Lindsey!
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We also learned from Literacy Together ESOL tutor and board member Aimee Kling. Aimee spoke with interns about Culturally Relevant Teaching and Linguistic Justice. How does our Power, Privilege, & Positionality impact our relationships in a learning environment? She helped interns brainstorm powerful questions to ask students while reading and reflecting on a book.
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Finally, we had a great time with Gillian from Misfit AVL. Her team put together engaging and fun improv-style activities. We worked on skills like active listening, adaptability, decision-making, and teamwork—all important when tutoring young scholars. Gillian reminded us that we each play a part in the story of Literacy Together.
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We are excited about these young leaders and appreciate all our community partners' support!
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We need more Youth Literacy tutors and interns!
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We are recruiting volunteers and paid interns for our academic year tutoring program. Our volunteer and intern tutors can choose from the following options:
✔️Work 1:1 with elementary-aged students on literacy skills at our partner after-school programs (YMCA at West Buncombe Elementary, the Christine Avery Learning Center, or Youth Transformed for Life at Grace Presbyterian Church). Tutors work with their students for about 45 minutes, two days a week, sometime between 3:30 and 5:30 (M-Th).
✔️Work with middle school students during United Way of Asheville and Buncombe County Community Nights for about an hour, sometime between 5-7, at Enka Intermediate or AC Reynolds Middle School. Enka meets on Mondays, and Reynolds meets on Wednesdays. You’ll work with individual and small groups of students on any combination of homework help, reinforcing literacy skills, math support, executive functioning skills, etc.
Linda, our Youth Literacy Program Director, met with Ginny from United Way to share boxes of materials for their weekly Community Nights. Loaded with books and games for middle school students, we hope that tutors and community members can use these resources to promote the power of literacy.
The next Youth Literacy training will be September 10-12, from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm, but we can offer additional training if needed if those times don’t work.
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For the last six years, Marilyn Cortes has devoted so much of her heart, brains, and compassion to Literacy Together through her board service. We bid her farewell as she begins her next chapter - and we will remain grateful for the gift of her leadership (that keeps on giving). Thank you, Marilyn!
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Thank you, High Five Coffee Asheville!
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From April 1 through June 30, High Five Coffee raised money for Literacy Together, and we're so grateful!
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We've loved our ESOL meetups at the North Asheville location!
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| We had a blast at New Belgium Brewing!
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From left to right: Gigi, Linda, Laura, Rebecca, Amanda, and Emily (New Belgium)
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Last week, part of our team went to New Belgium Brewing to talk about the work of Literacy Together, which has been chosen to be a beneficiary of the New Belgium Brewing Liquid Center Annual Donations Program. Emily greeted us, treated us to fantastic beer, and gave us a fun tour. Of course, going down the slide was the highlight of our visit! We had huge smiles after that wild ride.
We’re so grateful for everything New Belgium does to be the change they want to see in the community! Here, you can learn more about how New Belgium gives back. THANK YOU!
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Our partners from United Way of Asheville and Buncombe County included 2,500 Dolly Parton's Imagination Library registration forms with their 2024 School Supply Drive! Thank you!
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We had so much fun at the Asheville Dream Center Summer Bash! Thanks to our interns Abraham, Roxana, Nolan, and Claire for representing Literacy Together and Dolly Parton's Imagination Library!
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Dolly Parton's Imagination Library puts books into the hands and hearts of children worldwide. We're mailing a free book monthly to over 5,500 registered children in Buncombe County.
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92 people have attended our online volunteer orientation meetings in 2024 so far! We've modified the format of our online orientation meeting to be more inclusive. Everyone is welcome to join us, from prospective volunteer tutors to community members to local business owners and nonprofits wanting to learn more about Literacy Together's work. This is what one participant said after an orientation meeting this month:
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I wasn't aware that the Literacy Council has been in existence for 37 years!! Even more noteworthy is the need for volunteer tutors here in Buncombe County for both English-speaking and non-English-speaking citizens and refugees!
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| Upcoming Online Orientation Meetings
Tuesday, August 6th, 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Thursday, August 8th, 10:00 am - 11:00 am
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| Your generosity provides literacy services to our neighbors of every age.
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