Annual report 2013-14

Bonita Springs Cape Coral Fort Myers LaBelle Lehigh Acres Naples www.literacygulfcoast.com

Annual Report 2013-2014

Our Mission: To assist adults and children to acquire the literacy skills necessary to improve their quality of life

Our Beliefs: ď ś We believe in the power of literacy to improve the lives of our students, their families, communities and society. ď ś We believe in providing our students with the highest quality of literacy education and related services where respect, integrity, inquiry, creativity and diversity contribute to individual achievement and the transformation of lives and communities. ď ś We believe in the power of tutors and our partners to make a difference in the lives of our students, helping them to reach their full potential.

History/Facts  Literacy Council was formed in 1989. 2014 marks our 25th anniversary.  Literacy educational services include English language, conversation, reading, writing, pronunciation, computer classes, GED readiness study and U.S. Citizenship classes; the Carol DeJoy Moms and Tots® Family Literacy Program, College Community Collaboration (3C), Kids+ Lifelong Learning at 17 area Title I schools and worksite literacy at nine gated communities in Lee County and North Naples.  The Literacy Council employs four full-time employees and 8 parttime employees. The average cost to teach a student English is less than $200 per year.  The current operating budget is around $600,000. Tutors and volunteers contribute time that is valued at almost $2 million.

Around a third of our funding comes from United Way, one third from individual donations and a final third from grants. The Literacy Council receives no government funding.  The Board of Directors currently includes 16 members.  Our organization includes the Board and five standing committees: executive (officers), finance, development, program, and technology – with a combination of board, staff, volunteers and operating staff and tutors.  The Board has a long term strategic plan and yearly objectives.

 Serving as a United Way Resource House host agency in Bonita Springs, we partner with over twenty-five agencies. Some partners include Goodwill, Hope Hospice, ACT, Bonita Assistance, Healthy Start, Café of Life, Catholic Charities, Family Health Centers, Red Cross, School District’s Early Head Start, FGCU, Florida SouthWestern State College, local health care providers, area churches and city facilities, libraries and area banks.  We partner with many businesses throughout the area in the following ways: we offer classes/tutoring for their employees; we partner for special events and provide partner companies with visibility on our website.

Accomplishments/Special Events 2013-2014  

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39 tots graduated from Bonita Springs and Fort Myers Carol DeJoy Moms & Tots® Family Literacy Program.

Kids+ Lifelong Learning program for parents began at LaBelle Elementary School in Hendry County. At the end of the first year, we had 59 students enrolled in the class.

Literacy Council awarded $30,000 from the Southwest Florida Community Foundation for its inaugural College Community Collaboration (3C), a partnership with Edison State College.

IMA-Literacy Council Gulf Coast Classic 5K Run/Walk held at Gulf Coast Town Center. (raised $5,987.00) 2nd Annual Legacy Appreciation Bistro event held at the Council.

3C Program begins at Edison State College in January 2014.

Fort Myers residents Sasha Williams and Michelle Hudson join the Literacy Council Board of Directors.

Annual winter in-service tutor training held at Council offices.

Norris Fine Furniture, in conjunction with Barnes and Noble Booksellers, held its second “The Writer’s Domain” event in the Fort Myers showroom to benefit the Literacy Council. Proceeds for the Council included $2,251.

Inaugural Passion for Fashion Luncheon held at Colonial Country Club. The Fashion Show featured new Spring fashions from Jennifer’s of Fort Myers. Raised over $6,500 and gained new contacts in the Fort Myers area.

11th Annual Literacy Legacy Breakfast fundraiser held at the Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort on March 12, 2014. Over $181,000 in donations received.

Annual Tutor/Volunteer recognition luncheon held at the Council to honor volunteers’ service to the organization and its students.

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United Way increased our annual allocation from $158,000 to $168,000 for Lee County programs for 2015. Hendry County allocations meetings are scheduled for late Summer 2014.

GED preparation classes offered with childcare provided.

In partnership with the Lee County School District, our Kids+ Lifelong Learning program taught English to 935 students at 17 area Title I schools. The schools continue to report increased volunteerism by the parents.  17 schools (listed below) offered classes. 671 adults and 264 children studied during the 2013-2014 school year.

Bonita Middle School Edgewood Academy Harns Marsh Elementary Headstart Parent University Island Coast High School J. Colin English Elementary LaBelle Elementary Lehigh Acres Elementary Mirror Lakes Elementary

o North Fort Myers Arts Academy o Oak Hammock Middle School o Orange River Elementary o Orangewood Elementary o Sunshine Elementary o Tice Elementary o Tortuga Preserve Elementary o Villas Elementary

Active Tutors and Students FY 2000 FY 2001 FY 2002 FY 2003 FY 2004 FY 2005 FY 2006 FY 2007 FY 2008 FY 2009 FY 2010 FY 2011 FY 2012 FY 2013 FY 2014

Students 141 277 511 776 962 1,252 1,379 1,549 1,752 1,797 1,957 2,554 3,246 3,301 4,072

Tutors 133 146 304 337 393 419 490 594 563 549 543 599 830 816 751

Group Programs Active Group Classes

Teachers

Students

11 Moms & Tots速 Family Literacy Classes:

50 volunteers 4 PT paid

1,442 mothers and children

107 Group Classes

291 volunteers

2,630 adults

Manna Christian (1 BS) Old 41 (2 BS) San Carlos Park (2) Fort Myers (5) Lehigh (1)

Moms and Tots速 Adult students: Total students:

1,442 2,630 4,072

Other individual and small group classes are held throughout Lee County and North Naples.

Worksite Programs 9 Active Programs Collier’s Reserve Imperial Golf Course Bentley Village Shadow Wood West Bay Club Pelican Sound Cypress Cove Pelican’s Nest Spring Run

Tutors

Students

17 2 10 46 7 20 7 2 New

33 2 10 33 17 14 7 1 New

Eight active worksite programs had 111 tutors and 110 students.

Spring Run began preparations for a new program this Spring and will be ready to start in the Fall.

Student Accomplishments  According to the 2013-14 Student Survey: a majority are meeting goals to:      

Be able to communicate with others in English.

To learn to speak English to get a good/better job.

To help children with their homework.

To get a GED. To go to college.

To become a U.S. citizen (in 2013, 16 students became citizens).

 From our students:  

“We learn so much vocabulary, phonics, and grammar.”

“I don’t feel as scared as I used to now that I practice my English in class.”

 According to our annual study, 100% of Moms and Tots® graduates began school average or above average as compared to their classmates.  Over 99% of students are satisfied or very satisfied with the school.

Student Assessments  Three rounds of the Assessment Refinement Initiative were completed for all students in the Moms and Tots® program and at the Villas Elementary School Kids+ Program. Students were assessed in 2012, 2013 and 2014 to determine progress. Students showed decisive improvements in their levels of English language expertise.  Moms, in particular, have lower levels of ability due to limited education. Many have never been to school and are illiterate in their own languages. As a result, when entering our program, they begin at the low beginner stage. They showed dramatic results given their educational challenges and family responsibilities.

Moms & Tots® Family Literacy Program 2012, 2013, 2014

ďƒ˜ One of the 17 Kids+ Lifelong Learning programs has been operating at Villas Elementary School since 2011. This program offers English language instruction to the parents of the Villas school children to help them become more engaged in their children's education by virtue of increased English comprehension, reading, writing and speaking. Based on a sample of attendees, the graph below shows the dramatic increase in progress from 2012 to 2014.

Villas Elementary School 2012, 2013, 2014

Thanks to the hard work and dedication of our volunteer tutors and staff, this assessment piece shows that our students are indeed improving their abilities as a result of study at the Literacy Council.

Their life challenges create many obstacles to learning, but for those who are regular attendees, the results are dramatic and their lives are truly improved. We are thrilled with the growth our students have exhibited.

Value of a volunteer’s work Independent Sector, in 2014, calculates the value of volunteer work at $22.55 per hour (Based on average hourly, nonsupervisory wages + 12% fringe benefits). Volunteers gave approximately 86,784 hours to students and the Council in FY 2013-14.

86,784 hours x $22.55 = $1,956,979

Literacy Benefits Everyone  In our economy:    

Adults improve job performance Adults improve job status Adults make informed purchases Our community benefits from a more educated workforce

 In our schools:   

Adults participate in their children’s education Children start school ready to learn The school district saves time and money when children arrive with necessary skills

 In society: 

Adults learn to assimilate to the American culture.

Our community benefits when families become part of our cultural fabric.

Bonita Springs

Cape Coral Fort Myers LaBelle Lehigh Acres Naples

Improving Lives through Literacy