Literacy Matters Newsletter_Spring 2009

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THE LITERACY COUNCIL | A Partner In Reading

DIRECTOR’S MESSAGE COUNTY UPDATES ON THE FRONT LINES BIRMINGHAM’S BIGGEST BOOK DRIVE

TU TO R PR OF I LE Elizabeth S. Geller

LiteracyMatters Matters A PUBLICATION OF THE LITERACY

COUNCIL | SPRING 2009 | VOLUME 18 | ISSUE 5

Summer in the City

The 2009 Historic Footnotes Loft Tour Features More Lofts and VIP Spots

By: Theresa Sterling, Helpline Services Manager/ESOL Specialist Elizabeth Geller is a volunteer tutor with The Literacy Photo courtesy of Joy Wright.

Council’s librarybased adult reading program Ready to Read.

She has worked with the same learner at the Birmingham Public Library’s central downtown location since early fall of 2008. She and her learner, Ronald, meet one and a half hours per week and are currently working in the Level 2 book in the Laubach reading curriculum, which has four skill levels.

A Birmingham native, Ms. Geller did her undergraduate work at Auburn and completed her law degree at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa.

As a student, she thought about tutoring struggling adult readers for a while but never had much extra time. Finally, after reading news articles on low literacy levels in Alabama and finding more time after law school, Ms. Geller visited The Literacy Council’s web site and connected with a tutor training workshop.

“I tutor because it’s helping to do something to make people’s lives better here. I can’t imagine going through life without basic skills and without being able to better your everyday existence,” she says.

Ms. Geller, who is married and works as a compliance officer at a bank, manages to find time weekly for Ronald—although she doesn’t think doing so is a big deal.

We think it is. We bet Ronald thinks so, too.

A.C. Legg Lofts, Marcus Furlow

2nd Row, Jeremy Erdreich & Larry Slater Photos courtesy of Mecca Murrah and Carl DelFavero.

The Literacy Council is celebrating the 10th anniversary of the Historic Footnotes Loft Tour with more lofts and more available goodies through our VIP sponsors.

A new partnership with Birmingham Magazine offers additional exposure to the tour, while benefiting the businesses that are sponsors.

Featuring 14 distinctive and high-end lofts, the Loft Tour is a self-guided walking tour in Birmingham’s loft district. This unique fundraiser benefits The Literacy Council’s efforts in reducing illiteracy.

Tickets this year will be $20 in advance and $25 on the day of the tour. For just $15 more, patrons can upgrade to a VIP ticket that offers freebies from sponsors including Café Dupont, The Wine Loft, Urban Standard, and the McWane Science Center.

Lofts on this year’s tour include Jemison Flats, City Federal Condominiums and BurgerPhillips Lofts. Major sponsors include City Councilman Johnathan Austin and developer Tom Carruthers.

For more information about the Loft Tour or to purchase tickets in advance, visit www.literacy-council.org.

Athens Flatts, Kaitlyn & Courland Williams

The Loft Tour

Lowdown Date: Saturday, June 6th 2009 Time: 1-5 p.m.

Place: Beginning on Morris Avenue and 20th Street North Price: Tickets in Advance $20 Tickets Day of Tour $25 Ticket VIP Upgrade $15 Student Discount $10 off with student ID

The Wooster Lofts, Leda Dimperio

BOA R D OF D I R E C TO R S THE LITERACY COUNCIL Chairman Keith A. Carter

Message from the Executive Director

Vice Chairman

Dear Friends of The Literacy Council:

Kristi Lamont Ellis

I would be remiss if the first sentence of my first column did not express my utter gratitude to the board for hiring me to be the Executive Director of this wonderful organization. Not only do we have a bright and resourceful board of directors, but The Literacy Council also has a very capable and committed staff to work behind the scenes.

Secretary John English

Treasurer Betty M. Wells

Immediate Past Chairman Robin V. Sparks

At-large Members Jeff Adams Lee Zell

Board of Directors Carleton Ambrose Angela R. Segars Anderegg Lisa M. Beck Staci Brown Books Robert P. Bynum Paul Carruthers Scarlotte Deupree Kilgore Lou Kirchen Hernan Morano Virginia Patterson Felton Perry C. Ed Phillips Reneé Pugh A.C. Roper, Jr. Leslie Sadler Danny Stewart Sharon Donaldson Stuart Robert L. Swann Jera G. Stribling Susan Swagler Ashfaq Taufique Leigh Leigh Tortorici Cindy Warner David L. Warren Beth Wilder

In addition, the community support for our organization and our mission is a breath of fresh air. From partnerships with United Way of Central Alabama, The Junior League, and The Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham, to in-kind services and donations from companies like al.com, Vulcan Materials Company, and Panorama Public Relations, we are truly fortunate to base our fight against illiteracy in Central Alabama.

And that fight would not be possible without the dedication and determination of the programs that are part of our Literacy Providers Network. I commend each of you that are on the front lines working to make our community more literate.

Whether you are receiving this newsletter by mail or email, you may have noticed some changes. To spend more money where it counts, we’re saving printing and postage costs by emailing the newsletter to most of our database. We’ve also cut printing costs by reducing the number of pages from twelve to eight. If you get a chance, please give us feedback on our new format. Local designer Tracy Thomas has graciously donated her time and talent to create our new layout.

There are so many exciting things going on at The Literacy Council. I hope that a copy of our Literacy Initiative progress report has made its way to you, and that you are able to read about the many ways we have begun to implement the regional literacy plan that so many of you worked so hard on. The report is called The Need, The Deed, The Impact, because as a community, you saw the literacy needs, formulated a plan to address them, and now we are truly making an impact on people’s lives in Central Alabama.

In closing, it’s been a wonderful beginning so far in my time here at The Literacy Council.

I hope to meet and get to know more and more of you. Please consider joining us for our annual Loft Tour on Saturday, June 6th from 1-5 p.m. beginning on Morris Avenue in downtown Birmingham. Our upgrades to the event could truly make this year the best so far.

I hope everyone is having a fantastic spring!

Executive Director Julie Beckham Executive Director

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Literacy Matters

COUNTY UPDATES

The Literacy Council County Updates By: Steve Hannum, Literacy Council Provider Services Manager

BLOUNT COUNTY

Laying the Groundwork for Literacy in Blount County Elaine Gargus recently joined The Literacy Council staff as a VISTA volunteer. Elaine will have an office in Oneonta at the Hope House, a social service agency that provides a wide variety of services including a food bank, a clothes closet, drug/alcohol rehab, GED preparation, and more.

She has already been helpful in promoting the GED program, a partnership with Wallace State Community College. In an additional effort to expand services in Blount County, Executive Director Julie Beckham and Provider Services Manager Steve Hannum recently met with the Blount County Commission to promote literacy efforts.

JEFFERSON COUNTY

Breaking the Cycle of Illiteracy An Adult GED teacher in Leeds called to ask for help with one of her students in need of reading improvement instruction. The young man was determined to get his GED and explained there had never been an emphasis placed on learning in his home. He had dropped out of school and had problems with the law but was now determined to make his life better…through reading.

As we began to match the young man with an appropriate tutor, the interview process took a downturn. The young man’s father had some objection to the program and could not understand why his son felt it necessary to read. “I’ve made it through life without it and so can my son…he needs to be bringing home money, not reading books. “We saw an opportunity…the Dad should learn to read with his son! After several weeks of coaxing and proving the positive effects of being literate, Dad signed on with a commitment to learn to read. Both Father and son are continuing their efforts.

various agencies in Shelby County who are in need of tutors. One tutor, Mary Ann Palmour, was recently matched with a learner through the Shelby County Family Resource Center.

The resource center currently provides GED classes online through a partnership with Central Alabama Community College. In order to utilize this service, students must read at a ninth-grade level. An average of thirty percent of prospective GED students assessed are reading below a ninthgrade level. In an effort to address this need, plans are underway to provide centralized locations for tutors to meet with learners at Central Alabama Community College locations in Shelby County.

WALKER COUNTY

Walker County Rocks The Literacy Council-Walker County Chapter co-sponsored a birthday party for Dr. Seuss on March 2nd. The event, attended by 125 persons, featured a costume contest in addition to crafts, story reading, and cakes decorated with the Cat in the Hat, The Thing, and a birthday motif.

Additionally, the group sponsored a Daddy & Me Dance fundraiser. Daughters dressed in their best clothes for their dates with their fathers. Miss Walker County, Caitlin Guffin, a former Volunteer in Service to America (VISTA) for the local group, was a special guest. A photographer took pictures of the couples as a remembrance of the special evening. Approximately 150 guests attended this event. The Walker County Literacy Council is planning its second annual Reading Rocks event later this month. Additionally, the local chapter will participate in Fishin’ 4 a Cure with patients from Children’s Hospital Cancer Unit.

ST. CLAIR COUNTY

New Board Member Appointed Angela S. DuPre has joined the Board of Directors of The St. Clair County Chapter of The Literacy Council. Angi is a resident of Springville and is currently a teacher at Springville Elementary School. Angi received her Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Education and is a Certified Reading Specialist. She recently received National Board Certification, Literacy: Early Childhood & Middle School. Angi’s energy, dedication and experience in literacy efforts will certainly benefit our program and assist adults in St. Clair in need of reading improvement skills.

The Fourth Annual Reading Rocks! Family Literacy Fair The fourth Annual Reading Rocks! Family Literacy Fair will be held May 2, 2009 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Avondale Park in Pell City.

Parents will register their children at the event, participate in seminars, and visit community service providers booths. Each child will receive a free book. Everyone is offered free food, storytelling and entertainment by local talent. If your organization would like to participate in the event, free booth space is still available. Please call 812-2704 for additional information.

SHELBY COUNTY

Shelby County Advances Literacy Programs The Shelby County literacy initiative is on the move. A tutor training was held April 21st and 28th at Harpersville United Methodist Church.

In addition, a partnership has been formed with Shelby County Positive Maturity Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) to recruit and train seniors as literacy tutors, and connect them with

Children enjoy Walker County’s Dr. Suess birthday party.

Spring 2009

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ON TH E F R ONT L I N E S

Shelby County Resident Seeks Self-Improvement Through Tutoring Meet Anthony Green, student, and Grant Hiatt, tutor. Grant is a tutor who also works for The Literacy Council, and Anthony Green (or “Mr. Tony” as he is affectionately referred to by those who know him) is his student.

At one point, Mr. Tony had his niche carved out, almost literally. He was one of a few able to operate a sophisticated concrete-breaking robot at the demolition company where he worked. However, an onthe-job accident left him with a severe back injury that took him out of his line of work. In the debilitated months after his recovery, Anthony’s siblings chose him to provide company to their aging father, a man he had never known well. In being there for his father, he became keenly aware of the need to keep himself mentally sharp and self-sufficient.

He decided it was time to learn to improve his reading skills.

At the same time, Grant Hiatt was working as a volunteer at Americorps, a federally-funded volunteer program. When the opportunity to tutor Mr. Tony came up, he took it, and he’s glad he did.

Grant and Mr. Tony met for the first time at the library in Columbiana almost a year ago. They’ve been meeting once a week ever since. “Mr. Tony has a ridiculous amount of potential. It takes a lot of talent to go through life without the ability to read. Usually, there is strong word recognition, but very little ability to read new words. Mr. Tony is very savvy, mechanically gifted, and very personable. Everybody loves him. If he had reading down pat, there’s no telling what he could do,” says Grant.

A new report from the National Center for Educational Statistics reveals that Alabama, overall, has improved dramatically in the fight against illiteracy. But while the state has gotten better, there are still

counties that are double the national illiteracy rate of 14.5 percent.

According to Steve Hannum, Literacy Council Provider Services Manager, “The improvements reflected in the results from the recent National Center for Educational Statistics report are encouraging. We believe this means that the hard work by our schools and other agencies that teach people how to read is paying off. However, we still have a long way to go.”

According to the report, there are still nearly 90,000 adults in the fivecounty central Alabama region who cannot read at all or who struggle with even basic words and sentences.

“These struggling readers are unable to read to their children, get a decent job, or read the Bible,” said Hannum. “When adults can’t read, they can’t function in society.”

Like many low-literacy adults, Mr. Tony just “passed through” grade school. In fact, he left school after 9th grade and began working.

Today, at 48 years young, he is learning to read, with Grant’s help, using phonetic books in the Laubach System.

Grant adds, “It can be a slow process. We usually meet between one and three hours a week. It’s a bit unusual to retain a student as long as a year, but we actually have a lot in common, and we also just like ‘hanging out.’ ” And according to Mr. Tony, “Since beginning lessons a year ago, I have learned to break down words and have re-learned my vowel sounds. [This] has helped me to spell and to read the Bible.”

If you would like to help someone combat illiteracy, contact Theresa Sterling at The Literacy Council by calling (205)326-1925 or 1-800-448-7323.

“Shared Reading” Technique Engages Children and Parents In December of last year, The Literacy Council awarded Childcare Resources $650 to support Parents as Teachers, a mini-workshop program that is research-based and focused on early learning and literacy development in zero-to-five-year-old children. As a result of The Literacy Council’s donation, Childcare Resources’ Parents as Teachers (PAT) program purchased 700 books.

The books were distributed during parent group meetings, which focus on literacy development. During parent group meetings, parent educators discuss the importance of reading to children, age-appropriate book selection, and how to extend book readings through ageappropriate literacy activities. Parents are encouraged to read at least one book a day with their children.

During one PAT meeting, Ms. Jones received a book provided by The Literacy Council –Trucks and Diggers by Hannah Wilson.

Childcare Resources’ Parent Educator, Rosa King, demonstrated to Ms. Jones the “shared reading” technique for reading to her two- and-a-half-year-old son, Charlie. Not only are the words read aloud but the pictures are described and the child is asked questions about each page.

The book came to life for Charlie when his mother started reading the book and, not just reading the words on the pages, but taking the time to describe all the pictures and the color, size and types of trucks. Trucks and Diggers is now Charlie’s favorite book. He reaches for it every time they sit down to read and can identify the color, type and size of most of the trucks in the book.

Because of The Literacy Council’s gift and the Parents As Teachers program, Charlie’s pre-reading, expressive and receptive vocabulary, and listening skills have increased.

Photo courtesy of Mecca Murrah and and Carl DelFavero

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Literacy Matters

ON THE FRONT LINES

The Literacy Council Teams up with Reach Out and Read--Alabama to expand program in Shelby County Reach Out and Read-Alabama (ROR-AL) is the ONLY medically based literacy model in Alabama.

The program builds upon the special relationship between pediatricians and parents of young children (ages six months to five years) to encourage parents to read aloud to their children daily. ROR promotes the love of books in children by advising parents about Photo courtesy of Karie Mitchell the importance of looking at books with them and reading aloud to them.

Ten books are given out at pediatric visits in the child’s first five years—costing only $27.50 per child. The books are new and carefully chosen to be developmentally and culturally appropriate— starting with chewable board books for babies and moving up to more complex story books for preschoolers.

The Reach Out and Read model is a simple one, based on three components:

Reach Out and Read reinforces the parents’ role as the first and most important teacher and gives parents the tools necessary to help children.

• Physicians and nurses are trained in theories of early literacy development and specific strategies to promote literacy in children. During well-child visits they use this knowledge to give parents concrete and age-appropriate advice about books and reading, and prescribe a regular reading schedule at home.

• Physicians and nurses give children a new book to take home at every check-up from six months to five years.

These books are carefully chosen based on developmental and cultural appropriateness. Children participating in the ROR program will start school with a library of at least ten new, developmentally appropriate books in their homes.

• Trained volunteers read stories to children while they wait for their appointments. These readers show parents by example that their children enjoy listening to books read aloud.

Greenvale Pediatrics in Alabaster is the only ROR site in Shelby County. Southern Family Health in Columbiana has received partial funding from The Literacy Council to implement Reach Out and Read in their clinic in 2009.

Together, these two practices see over 8,000 children from six months to five years old annually. Southern Family Health in Columbiana is one of 67 Rural Health Clinics in Alabama and the only rural health clinic in Shelby County.

In addition to these two sites in Shelby County, nine other clinics and practices in Jefferson County serve over 12,500 children each year through their Reach Out and Read programs. For more information, visit the ROR-AL webpage at www.roralabama.org.

Spring 2009

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FRI E N D S OF L I T ER A C Y

Friends of Literacy Kicks Off with July 4th Celebration

Be a Partner In Reading

The Friends of Literacy, a young patrons’ group of The Literacy Council, is planning a Fourth of July celebration as its first member event this year.

Your commitment to literacy reflects your commitment to your children, grandchildren and your community. Through your financial contributions and by giving your time, you have helped The Literacy Council strive toward our vision of a community that is 100% literate.

But we’re not there yet, and there are many other ways you can help:

By: Lani Powell, Development Manager

A Friends of Literacy membership card will soon be available for purchase, which will grant access to four annual Literacy Council events, including the June 6th Loft Tour. The membership card will also include benefits from select businesses.

• Include The Literacy Council in your will. It’s easy. Ask the

The Friends of Literacy group works to recruit volunteers and build the next generation of leaders for our organization. For more information on Friends of Literacy events contact The Literacy Council at 205-326-1925.

•

Sales from New and Used Books Support The Literacy Council You are invited to take part in The Literacy Council’s new and used book sale at its downtown office, located at 2301 1st Avenue North.

Books range in price from $1 - $3.

Buy five and get the sixth one free (signed copies and first editions available but not included in special pricing).

There is a wide selection of paperback books, hardback books, novels, self-help books, decoration/craft/how-to books, and cookbooks.

Book Sale hours: Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. All proceeds support The Literacy Council. Call (205) 326-1925 or 1-888-448-READ (7323) for more information.

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Literacy Matters

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professional preparing your will to: Bequest a specific amount of money or particular assets to The Literacy Council; Bequest a percentage of your estate; Or, your bequest can take effect if certain conditions occur, such as in the event of the death of your specified beneficiary.

Donate an old car. We can handle all the details for you and you can take a deduction on your income tax!

You can name The Literacy Council as the full beneficiary or a percentage beneficiary of any life insurance policy you own.

Designate The Literacy Council as a beneficiary of your retirement plan, including your Individual Retirement Account.

Consult your accountant or tax attorney for advice and details.

The work of The Literacy Council has never been more urgent than it is during these difficult economic times. With the help of people like you, we are prepared to continue to meet the critical literacy needs of Central Alabama.

L ITE RA CY S UP POR TER S

First Quarter, 2009 Individuals

Corporations

In Memory Of

Dutton, Doug Patterson, Tom and Carolyn Marshall, Catherine Ellis, Ben and Kristi Lamont Wells, Robert and Betty M. Sadler, Leslie Swann, Robert Tortorici, Leigh Leigh Rumore, Samuel A. Jr. Stribling, Jera Zell, Lee and Delynn Anderegg, Angela Segars Kimerling, Jon and Sheryl Jones, Ann Cole, Don and Kay Jackson, Cissy Clohan, Dexanne Vowell, Cameron and Scott

Altec/Styslinger Dawson-Wallace Law Office

Tortorici, Leigh Leigh In memory of Lloyd Burris

Organizations

Leach, Joan In Memory of Eloise Gray

Telecom Pioneers First United Methodist Church

In Honor Of Children’s Policy Cooperative Speaker’s gift D. DesVignes

Support the Literacy Council with your taxdeductible donation.

Herring, Sally In honor of Mrs. Robert Walton

Please use the enclosed envelope.

Kelley, Myra In Honor of Annah Kelley Jean Whatley, Joe Whatley and Gran

Book Drive Collects Thousands of New and Used Books For Local Children By: Debra Des Vignes, Marketing & Events Manager

The Junior League of Birmingham and the Children’s Literacy Guild of Alabama continue to receive books through Birmingham’s Biggest Book Drive held April 1st through the 15th.

So far, 27,000 books have been donated with more coming in. The goal of this drive is to collect 100,000 books for needy kids in the Central Alabama area. The illiteracy rates in our state are staggering: 38% of Alabama fourth graders read below grade level and 15% of our adults are functionally illiterate.

Most of the kids who struggle to read live in homes where adequate reading materials are not available. Many of these children have never owned a book of their own.

The mission of the Children’s Literacy Guild of Alabama is to get books in the hands of kids who need them. The Guild is partnering with the Junior League of Birmingham, whose goal is to help struggling families across the city. Through the combined efforts of these two organizations, along with the help of local high schools and corporations such as Alabama Power and Books-A-Million, the drive will collect new and gently used children’s books to be distributed to many local agencies that serve children such as Better Basics, the HOPE Community Learning Center, the YWCA and the YMCA, and Children’s Hospital.

Distribution boxes were set up around the city at all Alabama Power locations and Books-A-Million retail stores. For more information concerning Birmingham’s Biggest Book Drive, contact Beth Wilder of the Children’s Literacy Guild of Alabama at bwilder1@charter.net.

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C A L ENDA R OF E V E NTS Community Literacy Events Event Name: Just Down the Road - Photographs from Central Alabama Communities Event Description: The Birmingham Civil Rights Institute is exhibiting Just Down the Road, a powerful collection of photographs by Gary Tramontina taken of families enrolled in First Teachers@home, a highly effective parentcentered education program in Walker and Jefferson Counties.

Time: The exhibit is open currently and remains open until June 28, 2009.

Place: Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, 520 Sixteenth Street North Birmingham, AL 35206.

Price: The photographs are displayed at the end of the tour at the Civil Rights Institute, which does charge an entry fee.

Contact: Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, www.bcri.org.

Event Name: 2009 Barnes & Noble Summer Reading Program Event Description: Kids earn free books when they read any eight books and record them on the Summer Reading Journal. Then they bring the Journal to any Barnes & Noble location and pick out a free book!

Time: May 26-September 7, 2009.

Place: Summer Reading Journals are available at every Barnes & Noble, most school libraries, and most public libraries.

Price: Free Contact: Leslie Howerton, Community Relations Manager, Barnes & Noble, Patton Creek at (205) 682-4467.

Event Name: Healthy Me Camp Event Description: The children in Healthy Me Camp will learn what good food and exercise does for your body. They will learn what nutrition is and how it affects the bones and muscles in our bodies. They will learn to make fun good foods, play new games and some old ones. Healthy Me is about celebrating living a better, healthier lifestyle and making better choices.

Time: June 1–July 3, 2009 from 7:30 a.m.–4 p.m.

Place: St. James Missionary Baptist Church; 1300 24th Street North, Birmingham, Alabama 35234.

Price: $65 per child, for children of 2 or more in a family the first is $65; additional children are $45 each.

Registration begins April 1–May 15 (only 50 slots available, first come first served).

Contact: Rose Jones at 223-4241, rjones7914@aol.com Event Name: Rising Stars Enrichment Program/Summer Camp Event Description: We really believe that every child is a rising star.

We are committed to magnifying your child’s star capabilities. Our enrichment program is designed to promote and provide educational, cultural, recreational, spiritual and personal enrichment for each child.

Visit www.nrschurch.org/afterschool.htm to download brochure and registration form.

Time: June 1 - June 26, 2009 AND July 6 - July 31, 2009.

Monday – Friday from 7 a.m. - 6 p.m., Closed: June 29 – July 3, 2009.

Place: New Rising Star Missionary Baptist Church Family Life Center.

7400 London Avenue South (Eastlake), Birmingham, AL 35206.

Price: The camp is $60 per week with a registration fee of $25.

Contact: (205) 833-3676, risingstarscamp@nrschurch.org.

2301 First Avenue North, Suite 102 | Birmingham, Alabama 35203 Phone: 205-326-1925 www.literacy-council.org

Event Name: Alabama Baseball Federation Basic Summer Program Event Description: Reading and math skills camp where learning is related to sports. Children ages 7-12 rotate through academic and sport stations at 45-minute intervals for four hours.

Time: June 2-12, 2009 Monday – Friday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Place: Rickwood Field.

Price: Free.

Contact: Contact: David Osinski 558-4235, abf@asmi.org.

Event Name: SUPER (School and University Partners for Educational Renewal) Emerging Scholars Event Description: A residential workshop from the Alabama Humanities Foundation that will offer specialized academic enrichment in the humanities to upper-level high-school students from underserved communities.

Time: June 7-13, 2009, Daily, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

Place: Birmingham-UAB Contact: kcrawford@ahf.net Event Name: Community of Readers Family Literacy Event Description: The Birmingham Civil Rights Institute is again proving its dedication to its mission statement, “promoting civil and human rights worldwide through education,” with Heritage Alive: Community of Readers, a family reading initiative. The free monthly Friday evening program features reading, guest authors, food and fun.

Time: June 26, July 24, August 28, 2009 at 6 p.m.

Place: Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, 520 Sixteenth Street North Birmingham, AL 35206 Price: This is a free event, but registration is encouraged.

Contact: For registration or additional information on the program, contact Yvette Chatman at (205) 328-9696, ext.228, ychatman@bcri.org. _________________________

Literacy Council Events Event Name: Signature Series Event Description: The Literacy Council is pleased to announce its second Signature Series 2009 event, which will feature Warren St. John, author and reporter for The New York Times. Warren will discuss his latest book, Outcasts United: A Refugee Team, An American Town.

Time: July 28, 2009 at 6:30 p.m.

Place: TBA. Price: $600 per couple for the series (all three events in 2009), $350 per individual (all three events in 2009), $100 Warren St. John event only.

Contact: The Literacy Council (205) 326-1925 or 1-888-448-READ (7323).

Tutor Training Event Name: ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) Tutor Training Workshop in Jefferson County Event Description: This opportunity, facilitated by ProLiteracy America certified trainers, offers participants basic training to prepare for tutoring adults whose native language is not English.

Time: May 2 and 9, 2009 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m., both Saturdays Place: The Literacy Council, 2301 First Avenue North, Suite 102, Birmingham, Alabama 35203.

Price: Free.

Contact: Please contact Theresa at (205) 326-1925 or 1-888-448-READ (7323) or by e-mail at tsterling@literacy-council.org to register for this workshop.