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Literacy
Volunteers of
Fulton County
199 South Main St.
Gloversville, NY
12078-4223
Phone: (518) 725-1440
Fax: (518) 773-8202
email: lvfc@fmsworkforcesolutions.org
www.fultonliteracy.org
Office Hours
Mon-Thurs 9-3
Also by Appt.
Staff
Donna Hunter - Executive Director
Melissa Kenyon -Program Director
Eric Christensen - Training
Coordinator
Board of Directors:
Laurie Bargstedt
Charlene Cornachia
Maurice Farhart
Cheryl Peeler
Gene Reppenhagen
Stephanie Andrews
Newsletter Staff
Editors - Terry Conaway, Eric Christensen
Layout/Graphics - Autumn Blanchard
Important Reminder: paticipation in in-service training
is required to maintain active tutor certification status.
Trainings are scheduled at least twice yearly, with more scheduled
as needed. Contact Eric Christensen or Melissa Kenyon for
more details on trainings and re-certification requirements,
725-1440.
Calendar
Save These Dates
May 18-Student/Tutor Recognition Dinner
June 6-10-Literacy Conference @ White Eagle, in Hamilton
NY 17 - Brooks BBQ at Wal-mart 19-Father’s Day 27-Annual
Board Meeting
Literacy Volunteers of Fulton County does not discriminate
on the basis of gender, age, race, color, creed, religion,
disability, political belief, physical appearance, sexual
orientation, or family status. Literacy Volunteers of Fulton
County maintains strict confidentiality of tutor and student
records. Information pertaining to individual tutors
and students is not to be shared with anyone unless prior
written consent is obtained. General statistical information
may be released anonymously. Students and tutors are welcome
to share their experience publicly as long as they do not
violate the privacy of other tutors or students.
Mission Statement
Literacy Volunteers of Fulton County, Inc. recognizes that literacy,
including reading, writing,and speaking English, computing,
and problem solving is necessary to function on the job, in
society, and to raise a family. Literacy is also necessary
to achieve individual goals and to develop knowledge and potential.
Literacy is valuable to develop and function as citizens,
to realize rights and freedoms and to fulfill responsibilities
as members of a free society. Therefore, it is the mission
of Literacy Volunteers of Fulton County, Inc. to develop and
support volunteer resources to serve adults and families of
the Fulton County area and to provide services consistent
with increasing literacy and promoting the value of Literacy
to the future of the Fulton County area. Adopted May 22, 2000.
Student Writings
Tutors may submit student writings for the newsletter and
website. They may be mailed, e-mailed, or faxed to the office.
Submissions should include original text, and can be anonymous
when printed. This is a great way to recognize student progress
and success. Tutors can also nominate students to the staff
for recognition of goals met, attendance, improvement, distance
travelled, etc. Student submissions and nominations should
be sent to the Program Coordinator Melissa Kenyon.
Required Tutor Reporting
Reminder- Monthly tutor activity reports are required to maintain
active tutor status. This information is mandated for State
and Federal reporting requirements. Report sheets are available
at the office, or contact Program Coordinator Melissa Kenyon
at 725-1440. Reports may be mailed or delivered to LVFC, 199
S. Main St. Gloversville , N.Y.
12078-4223.
National Volunteer Week is April 17 - 23.
LVFC gratefully acknowledges
the outstanding work of its volunteers. Your contribution
is invaluable. Our volunteers are our greatest asset. Thank
you all!
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October
Open House/In-service
LVFC
Treasurer Cheryl Peeler gives an inspiring presentation on
self-esteem and motivation.
Those attending the LVFC Open House/In -Service Training on
October 27, 2005 witnessed a personal testimony that was both
inspiring and instructional. LVFC Treasurer Cheryl Peeler
shared her story of personal empowerment with volunteers and
students, with a brutal honesty that was very moving.
Cheryl told of being caught in the same web of abuse that
her mother had endured, she told of homelessness and substance
abuse, and she told of a life with no self-esteem.
"What
happens to your self-esteem ? The world keeps tearing us down.
Why should my life be any better than my mother's?" This
self-doubt kept Cheryl in abusive relationships. Terry-Gordon
Sprung asked Cheryl what she realized that started her on
the 'path from the street to success," to which Cheryl
replied: "I realized that my mother didn't deserve to
be beaten, and neither did I." She also learned that
"everyone has something to contribute." Cheryl abandoned
the victim mentality and took charge of her life. She began
studying for her G.E.D., persevering when things got tough:
"Learning takes time. We have to keep pushing ourselves
to do a little more."
For Cheryl, doing a little more included getting her G.E.D.
and going on to become the Alternate Proctor for the G.E.D.
Exam.
She offered practical advice for tutors and students preparing
for the exam, focus is important, "Know your abilities,
work on your disabilities." She said that students need
to have realistic time frames, also. Cheryl works hard as
a proctor, to accommodate students, saying she "didn't
want people to be closed out, because they might not come
back." Cheryl extends this attitude of inclusion to lobbying
for literacy education, telling legislators, "Remember
this face, this is the face you shut out." Her attitude
is a combination of street credibility and professionalism.
Cheryl, while working to better herself, finds great value
in helping others, saying that "when you volunteer, you
receive as well as give." Some students were moved to
share some of their own experiences.
Later, Donna Hunter demonstrated literacy toolkit materials,
and Melissa Kenyon outlined an upcoming computer literacy
course.
Computer
Literacy Training Held
If you’ve ever felt frustrated because you don’t
know a hard drive from a monitor, or a program from a pop-up,
we have the answer.
Program Coordinator Melissa Kenyon has started a new Computer
Literacy training class. This course is designed for the absolute
beginner in computer literacy, and with the literacy student
in mind.
This class will give you hands-on experience with a computer
and access to the internet in a safe, supported environment.
Learn basic computer and internet skills from Melissa and
assistant instructor Jeffrey Evans. The first set of training
classes was held in the Gloversville Library Resource Room,
on April 12, -27, from 1-3 pm. Due to high demand for this
type of training, the class was full. But Literacy students
have first priority for subsequent classes, and others have
second priority, as we have a limited number of computer terminals.
We are planning a second series of trainings, possibly in
our Northville satellite location.
To sign up, please call LVFC at 725-1440, or email Melissa
at lvfc@fmsworkforce
solutions.org. We hope to see you there, and look forward
to helping you start on the path to computer literacy.
Canojaharie
Reactivated
This past November 13th, Tutor Trainer Donna Hunter travelled
to Canojaharie Library and Art Gallery to conduct a one day
tutor training course.
These newly trained tutors will be part of the Montgomery
County literacy Group, under the guidance of Marget Barnett.
The tutors are all retired or current school teachers, which
made for a smooth training session.
The Canojaharie
Library already has a literacy room and tutoring materials
at the Canojaharie Library, along with the support of Library
Director Eric Trahan.
LVFC welcomes the Canajoharie tutors, and looks forward to
supporting their efforts in the future.
Presenting
a beautiful quilt to Donna Hunter, are Christine Bush, center,
and Cathy Jo Rogers of the Sew Busy Guild of Gloversville.
Other Guild members involved in the design and sewing of the
quilt include Nancy Frank, Karen Brown, Trina Zimmerman, and
Olga Amico. Thank you, Sew Busy Guild!
Spring Tutor Training Grads
June Coleman
Susan Davis
Robert McCullough
Deborah Noles
Carol Ashley
Joyce Broswski
Pamela Hanson
Lindsay Shippee
Geraldine Anderson
Donors
The following individuals contributed to Literacy Volunteers
of Fulton County during the 2004-2005 fiscal year, which began
on July 1, 2004, and will end on June 30, 2005. We are eternally
grateful for your support. On behalf of the students who directly
benefit from your contributions, thank you.
Gifts of $1,000+
Special Legislative Grant from Hugh T. Farley
Gloversville Free Library
NBT Bank
Walmart Foundation
Gifts of $500 - $999.00
Mohawk Valley Library System
Gifts of $250 - $499.00
Nelson A. Taylor Co.
The James W. Taylor Trust
City National Bank and Trust
Stewarts Shops, Inc.
Gifts of $1 - $249.00
Carroll and Dorothy Walsh
CAR Program LLC
Norman and Doris Clo
Joan and Ernest Clapper
Carol and David Quick
S. Peter Feldstein
Sandra Mercaldi
Michael and Rebecca Tibbitts
Varghese D.Pynadath
Roderick W. Correll
The Waldo Family
Francis and Florence Reed
Marguerite and Lee Guild
Henry and Virginia Baker
David and Maureen Heacock
William and Joan Loveday
Walter and Joan Jerome
Nancy Reynolds
Sophie Nessel
Carol Carle
Fulton County Retired Teachers
Johnstown Chapter DAR
Alexander Poole & Spa Co.
Anne Burton
Cheryl Peeler
Laurie Bargstedt
Anonymous
Family
Literacy Presentation
Terry Gordon-Sprung, Family Advocate with Family Counseling
and LVFC member, teamed up with LVFC Director Donna Hunter
this past November third, at the Family Counseling Center
office in Gloversville, to conduct a family literacy workshop.
Donna and Terry gave a breakdown of LVFC services available
to families, while stressing the importance of literacy, for
both parents and children. Family literacy materials were
displayed and demonstrated.
Donna
also outlined the components of the 3B's concept for promoting
family literacy in the home: book baskets, placed in living
areas of the home to make books available, booklamps, allowing
children to read for 15 to 20 minutes after bed time, and
of course, books which were distributed to the partipants
free of charge to share with their families.
Legislative Days
On April 7, 8, 9 2005 LVFC Board President Laurie Bargstedt,
Treasurer Cheryl Peeler, and Director Donna Hunter travelled
to the state capital to lobby for literacy funding with state
legislators.
They met state senator Hugh Farley and assemblyman Marc Butler
to seek increased Adult Literacy Education funding. ALE funds
are the main source of state revenues allotted for LVFC. In
the adopted state education budget, ALE funds were kept at
previous levels, while Employment Preparation Education funding
was increased.
Northville
UMC Site Reopens
Literacy Volunteers of Fulton County has renewed a partnership
with the First United Methodist Church of Northville, opening
a new outreach site at the church on Main Street in Northville.
In March,
the UMC Board of Directors voted to re-open the church to
literacy services. The church last hosted a literacy site
in 1999.
UMC Reverend
Michael Terrell looks forward to promoting the cause of universal
literacy in the church, "Our hope is that we will able
to do more with your program and to assist you with educating
the community about your program and its availability."
The United
Methodist Women (UMW) and LVFC have partnered to form Little
Red Bookshelf, a program to collect and distribute donated
books in the community.
The Northville
Methodist church is a great setting for literacy education
activities, including testing and screeening, tutoring, and
tutor training.
This
new outreach site is part of LVFC's continuing expansion of
services in the north country. Thanks to the Northville 1st
UMC for joining us in the fight against illiteracy.
Tutor
Training Tips
Be Positive
Praise
goes a long way with learners who struggle in reading. Provide
positive feedback when correct responses are made ("Great!
The word is Sequoia.")
Be
Attentive
Stop
learners immediately after an error. Show them what to do
and provide them an opportunity to do it correctly. ("That
word is 'trouble.' What word is this?") Try not
to use the word "no."
Be
precise.
Provide
clear and direct instructions ("Say this word" rather
than "Would you say it?")
Be
mindful of mistakes made during the session
Record
learner performance. Review anything that learners miss. Remember,
learners "should say it like they know it."
Be
diligent
Work
from beginning to the end of the tutoring session.
Be
innovative
Keep
tutoring seessions lively and dynamic.
Be
focused
Try
to ignore minor misbehavior. Only recognize good behavior.
Be
patient
Show
learners that you care about them through your committment
and encouragement.
Be
on time
Arrive
at least 15 minutes before the tutoring session begins. Make
sure plans for the session and materials are ready so the
session may begin as soon as the student arrives.
Be
committed
Once you have begun to tutor a student, remain with that student
throughout the year.
Be
results-oriented
Gather
learner performance data on a daily basis, and chart the dat
a (using graphs, stars, etc.) to allow a visual display of
improvements made in the program.
Student-Tutor Corner
Doreen Canzius Gloversville, NY
I am 70 years old housewife I came to this country from Guyana.
I have worked for and received my citixenship. My aim is to
study the words of God and be baptized. I like to try new
recipes. when I cook. I learned to travel by bus.
Presentation
on Medical Literacy
On Thursday, January 18, 2005, Director Donna Hunter gave
a workshop on Health Literacy for 25 participants in the FMCC
Bridges Program. Dorothea Smith is the Director of the Bridges
Program, which provides counseling and services for people
with health issues, learning disabilities and accident victims.
Donna's
presentation included an outline of LVFC services. She also
dicussed the need for easily accessible health care information
for families and individuals. In her Workshop on Health Literacy,
Donna had participants attempt to discern the cotents of pill
bottles with instructions in languages other than english.
The resulting confusion highlighted the need for medical literacy.
By the end of the workshop, Donna had a new literacy student,
and a new volunteer as well!
In-service
Trainings/Open Houses Held
Tutors Blanche Muzyka, Sheila McDonald, and Pamela Hanson
discuss tutoring with Training Coordinator Eric Christensen.
On February
22, 2005 LVFC held an in-service training/open house for tutors,
students, and volunteers. Dual sessions were held, at 2-4
pm and 5-7 pm, to accomodate tutors and students schedules.
A video on learning disabilities was viewed. The tape, called
“FAT City, How Hard Can This Be?” shows how teacher
Richard LaVoie uses techniques to let a group of educators,
parents and social workers experience learning disability.
FAT stands for Frustration, Anger and Tension, and these emotions
are felt in the group by LaVoie's mix of relentless questioning,
rapid speech, and visual tricks that make a “normal”
person
feel that they have a learning disability.
Eric
Christensen outlined portions of the video that we did not
view, including risk taking, statistics, and motivation. We
watched sections of the tape titled “Reading Comprehension,”
“Oral Expression/Dysnomia,” and “Reading and
Decoding.” Tutors then discussed in-school LD policies
and Literacy student tactics. Donna Hunter suggested that
different colored papers might help.
Melissa reviewed procedures to improve student tracking of
goals and hours. She also passed out guidelines on program
policies for eligibility, tutor sites, material use, and sexual
harrassment. It is very important to have these policies in
place for accreditation.
We also want to recognize tutors for their efforts, and publish
tutor tips and student writings in this newsletter. The training
was attended by tutors Pamela Hanson, Blanche Muzyka, Sheila
McDonald, Judith Zarin, Richard Crane, and Autumn Blanchard.
Edie Willcox. of Gloversville Free Library, and Terrry Gordon-Sprung
attended the evening session.
Program Coordinator Melissa Kenyon with students at the
In-service Training
New LVFC tutors Autumn Blanchard and Sayyed Mumin examine
tutoring materials
New LVFC tutor Kitty Ingalls and Director Donna Hunter
discuss tutoring techniques.
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