The Yo Puedo Leer program was launched in 2024 in Paraguay to address early literacy challenges faced by children from underprivileged communities, that do not have books at home before entering school. This initiative is supported as part of the Epsilon World Understanding Project and is led by Mary Yonker, a member of the Epsilon chapter in Mexico, reflecting a strong commitment to improving lives through education The program was created to foster a love of reading in early childhood.
The primary goal of Yo Puedo Leer is to provide children ages 3, 4, and 5 with access to ageappropriate books that support early literacy skills. Each child receives a set of 12 patterned, leveled books designed for emergent readers.
The program is implemented through collaboration with parents, schools, and local communities in rural Paraguay. The books were written and designed specifically for this initiative by Mary Yonker and Yvette Carter and are delivered directly to families, creating each child’s first home library.
Yo Puedo Leer emphasizes home access to books, empowering families to actively participate in their children’s learning. To date, 300 families have requested books, and 85 complete sets have been funded, with distribution planned for March 2026. The impact has been immediate and meaningful: families report increased interest in reading, repeated engagement with books, and visible enthusiasm from children. Through Epsilon World Understanding support, fundraising, and community partnerships, Yo Puedo Leer continues working to make a better world one home library at a time.
Community Outreach- A Social Responsibility & Networking Opportunities
Submitted by: Mary Ellen Lopez Colorado Alpha Iota
Cognizant of the importance of social responsibility, CO Alpha Iota Chapter programming focused on Community Outreach this biennium Several meetings incorporated this component to a degree, but one meeting in particular had the greatest impact and exceeded all expectations. November 24th was A Thousand Dollar Plus Day! Two Pueblo community nonprofit agencies were the recipients of generous Alpha Iota Chapter donations
This altruistic effort spearheaded by Mary Ellen Lopez (CMC) and Alpha Iota Sister Gina Lopez Ferguson, Philanthropic Lead for Caring for Colorado Foundation, began as a response to food drives by local organizations to fill their pantry shelves during a pending government shutdown. It became a reason to meet and act.
Gina provided the meeting space and enlightened members in attendance with an informative talk on Food Systems in our Pueblo Community & SNAP Issues. Alpha Iotas filled a carload of canned food and Thanksgiving-related food items to be delivered to Pueblo Cooperative Care Center, a nonprofit that is known as the central hub for individuals in crisis and is now the largest emergency food resource in Southern Colorado. Energized by Gina’s presentation, the chapter approved a $500 donation to assist this nonprofit with its work.
A phenomenal response to this project also led to a vote to share some food donations with Servicios de La Raza a nonprofit serving Pueblo’s Latino community. By networking with local community nonprofits to promote programs that improve the quality of life for those in great need, Alpha Iota has made a positive impact.
Reaching Out Through Jubilee Elves
Submitted by: Glad Loreen Washington Beta Alpha
Jubilee Elves is a local project in Bellevue, Washington structured to invite and engage members and organizations to care for some of the most vulnerable families in our community. 650 families and 1400 children experienced receiving with joy and brightness.
This project involves gift giving for individuals, volunteering to be part of toy sort and delivering to families. Our local AΔK chapter has chosen Jubilee Elves the last several years as one of our altruistic projects to make a difference locally. We individually or in duos receive a wish list for an individual and bring packaged clothes and accessories to our November meeting. Our Altruistic Chairs deliver a van to the Jubilee Center. We are additionally invited to volunteer at the Center to organize toys prior to families coming to receive the goodness. Many of our members jump at the opportunity to take part in several days of readying the 1400 parcels.
Warm blankets and wreaths were the final gifts given to families and brought such smiles
The purpose of this local project is to encourage vulnerable families and provide children with positive reminders that their community cares.
Jubilee Reach provides us with deep thanks following this season and gives us access to Thank You letters from families. Our members are touched by this annual reaching out to our community and quietly share they have had students in their school setting who have received this goodness.
We believe this makes a tremendous impact in our community and nurtures us, also.
Barbara Rodgers, AL Omicron Weaves Mats from Plastic Bags
Submitted by: Barbara Rodgers Alabama Omicron
Homeless Sleeping Mat weaving began in 2017 in Montgomery, AL when volunteers responded to a need by making sleeping mats for people living on the streets. Barbara Rodgers, AL Omicron, joined them in 2023 She learned to weave the sleeping mats from plastic shopping bags. The goal was to provide a clean, insulated sleeping surface that offers comfort and protection from cold, wet ground for people without shelter. The objective is to improve quality of life for unsheltered individuals by giving them a meaningful item of support, while fostering community engagement and stewardship of recyclable materials. Since 2017, 700 mats have been produced, each requiring 2005 bags.
Each mat is paired with blankets, pillows, hygiene kits and seasonal items Alabama Omicron visited the center's worksite and became interested in collecting bags and supplying essentials for the ministry. Barbara Rodgers weaves two days a week volunteering 388 hours since her retirement in 2023. She has provided publicity promotion for the group which has brought donations of blankets, socks, knit caps, gloves and restaurant gift cards. The program is sustainable as several groups have started their own volunteer work of making mats. Barbara has presented the program to Alabama Kappa in Clanton, AL which donated gift certificates and took some mats to deliver to homeless shelters in their town This ministry continues to make a better world during this 2026 freeze and ice storm Fern. by putting mats into warming centers where hundreds of neighbors are without heat, electricity and water.
Easter Baskets for Open Door Mission
Submitted by: Traci Gilmore Nebraska Upsilon
Our Upsilon chapter was looking for an altruistic project that would benefit children in our community about 20 years ago. Our goal was to choose something for children in need that would make their world brighter. One of our members reached out to the Open Door Mission, which provides support for families facing homelessness and women and children being abused. I think we started out making 50 Easter baskets the first few years and over the years it has grown to 100 Easter baskets now. Every year when we contact the Open Door Mission about making baskets, they say "We have been waiting for you to call!".
Since we provide these Easter baskets the Open Door Mission does not need to fund this project. Over the years, we have perfected what items need to be included in each basket. Each basket has crayons, coloring book, healthy snacks, candy filled eggs, stuffed animal, and bubbles. The last few years we have made a few of them that are more appropriate for older children/teens.
These children don't have families that can provide Easter baskets for their kids and wouldn't know the love, that God wants us to share, if we didn't show them love through this project! Our chapter really watch for sales (like Easter buckets after Easter and crayons during "back to school" sales, because our chapter sisters purchase everything for the baskets. Our chapter is committed to continuing this project, so that underprivileged children are cared for and loved!
Puerdo Leer (I Can Read)
Paraguay
Submitted by Mary Yonkers Mexico Epsilon
Reaching Out Through Jubilee Elves
Submitted by: Glad Loreen Washington Beta Alpha
Easter Baskets for Open Door Mission
Submitted by: Traci Gilmore Nebraska Upsilon
Community Outreach- A Social Responsibility & Networking Opportunities
Submitted by: Mary Ellen Lopez Colorado Alpha Iota
Barbara Rodgers, AL Omicron Weaves Mats from Plastic Bags
