|
|
The book drive is on FIRE! 🔥
| |
We've received hundreds of books - thanks to all who have donated! So far, the books have gone to Beloved Asheville, Leaf Global Arts, Weaverville Primary School, and W.D. Williams Elementary in Swannanoa.
We are still collecting books through the end of November! Please bring new or gently used books to our office so we can keep getting them into the hands of children in the community.
Thank you so much to The Whale WAVL for receiving books while our office was closed! Since the storm hit, they've done much in the community, from serving free hot food daily to organizing free family events. Please consider supporting their business now that it is open and working regular hours.
| |
Below are some suggestions for books that help kids cope with the aftermath of a hurricane. We'd greatly appreciate them. Some are available in a bilingual Spanish/English format. Please consider ordering them from a local bookstore like Malaprop's Bookstore and Café!
📚 "Hurricane" by John Rocco
📚 '"Hurricane Child" by Kacen Callender
📚 "Ninth Ward" by Jewell Parker Rhodes
📚 "Alicia and the Hurricane" by Leslea Newman
📚 "Zane and the Hurricane: A Story of Katrina" by Rodman Philbrick
📚 "Upside Down in the Middle of Nowhere" by Julie T. Lamana
📚 "Lupita's Hurricane Palomitas", by Alexandra Alessandri
📚 "The Water Princess" by Susan Verde
📚 "The Coquíes Still Sing" by Karina Gonzalez
📚 "A Storm Called Katrina" by Myron Uhlberg
📚 "The Night the Lights Went Out" by Angela Shelf Medearis
| |
| Our ESOL pairs are starting to resume classes!
| |
It's so good to see tutors and students in class again here at the office! Hugs abound as we see each other for the first time since before. We are all carrying some measure of pain and loss, along with gratitude for our blessings and perhaps a new appreciation for the connection we have with each other.
Not all tutors and students have resumed their classes; some still have more pressing needs to take care of before they can return their focus to the learning and teaching of language. But we look forward to welcoming more and more back to class in the coming weeks, and we'll continue to support our students in whatever ways we can: sharing information about resources, helping them fill out FEMA applications, bringing supplies to their homes if that's what they need.
We've encouraged all students to reach out to us with any questions or needs they may have so that we can help direct them to resources. Meanwhile, we rejoice in seeing one-on-one tutoring sessions resuming in our office and group classes starting back up at our community partner sites across the county!
Gabriela and Alice had a fun, not-so-scary Halloween-themed class! 🎃
| |
| Update on the Adult Literacy Program
| |
Photo credit: Rene Treece, whose studio in the RAD flooded. You can help her recover here.
| |
In the month since the hurricane, we've either been able to connect directly with every student and tutor in the Adult Literacy Program or have received word that they are alive and safe. But of course we've all heard many stories of devastation and loss in our community. In every phase of this process we're going to need each other's patience, understanding, encouragement, and love.
October was about connection and making sure everyone was okay. Students were contacting their tutors to see if they were all right. Tutors were bringing food, clothing, and supplies to students and their families. Everybody has been out there serving the community, needing help and giving help in equal measures. These stories have been inspiring and encouraging to hear. This month we spent a lot of time on the phone hearing about people's experiences, and that was important work - just listening. We feel closer to a lot of our students now, and we hope they feel the same. We were also contacted by multiple people outside of our region, even outside of the state, who offered to help us in any way they could.
In November, the majority of tutors and students will probably be stable enough to get back to tutoring. But we’ve all been knocked backwards, using another part of our brain to adapt and get by, so it will take time to acclimate to the hard work of tutoring again. We have been operating in a very different mental space since Helene.
Although there has been unimaginable destruction and loss, if we can remember these experiences of kindness, reciprocity, gratefulness, resilience, and interdependence, we can make a better world out of the ruins. That's our hope.
| |
Rebecca Massey, Adult Literacy Program Director
| |
Youth Literacy post-crisis tutor training
| |
The Youth Literacy Program continued to serve students and families in Buncombe County during Helene by collecting and donating books for distribution (PEAK Academy, Christine Avery Learning Center, WD Williams Elementary School). In addition, our volunteers and interns have used their time and skills to support our community in amazing ways during this crisis.
In preparation for returning to work with students, 20+ tutors attended training with experts from Child Life Disaster Relief. This 1.5 hour training from Certified Child Life Specialists provided practical knowledge and skills to help tutors recognize and understand the effects of trauma at different ages and share strategies for mitigating stress and trauma for children. Topics included:
✔️Overview of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), Trauma Informed Care, and 5 Essential Needs of Children after Disasters
✔️ Details on the effects of trauma on children at different ages (handout provided)
✔️ Practical strategies for mitigating stress and trauma for children and providing emotional safety
✔️ Specifics on why play is essential
✔️ Modifications for neurodiverse children
| |
Give!Local 2024 is November 1 through December 31!
| |
We are honored to be among 52 of the outstanding local nonprofits featured. 100% of donations go to your chosen nonprofit, thanks to First Bank and Mountain Xpress covering all transaction fees! We are partnering again with our friends at Malaprop's to offer incentives at certain levels.
| |
Dolly has been a constant positive role model and inspiration thanks to her unwavering kindness, generosity, and resilience. Rising from humble beginnings in rural Tennessee, she built an iconic career while staying true to herself and her values. Known for her philanthropy, Dolly has invested in education through initiatives like the wonderful Imagination Library we proudly represent in Buncombe County, thanks to funding from Buncombe Partnership for Children, Smart Start, and the Dollywood Foundation.
Through her music and life story, Dolly inspires millions to dream big, work hard, and lead with kindness and an unwavering sense of humor. So, we end this newsletter with this beautiful and encouraging song. Amid the grief, devastation, and confusion, we are starting to see the light of a new morning.
| |
|
So far, 127 people have attended our online volunteer orientation meetings in 2024! We've modified the format 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.
| |
| Upcoming Online Orientation Meetings
Tuesday, November 12th, 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Thursday, November 14th, 10:00 am - 11:00 am
| |
| Your generosity provides literacy services to our neighbors of every age.
| |
|
|
|
|
