Event Archives
Ten Thousand Villages
101-103 State Road, Media
610.892.5020
December 14, 2011
Good Turnout for DCLC Event
at Ten Thousand Villages Media
Just in time for holiday shopping, Ten Thousand Villages in Media (101-103 State Road, Media PA 19063) hosted a Community Shopping Event to benefit the Delaware County Literacy Council.
Ten Thousand Villages donated 15% of all purchases made at the Media store from 3 to 9 p.m. on Wednesday, December 14, to Delaware County Literacy Council, resulting in a total of $722 donated to DCLC!
Our sincere thanks go out to Ten Thousand Villages and to all who came out that evening and purchased a unique gift in support of adult literacy.
DCLC Volunteer Ed McCann organizes and runs
in
Sandy's Run each year.
November 19 & 20, 2011
Congratulations to Team Sandy
for Raising funds for DCLC
Volunteer Tutor Ed McCann (seen at right) and a group of Literacy Council supporters took
to the streets of Philadelphia in memory of Ed's late sister Sandy as they walked and ran to raise
money for the Literacy Council. This is the third year that Team Sandy participated in Philadelphia Marathon events in this unique and personal fund raiser. It's not too late to support the efforts of Team Sandy--simply make a credit-card donation and write "Sandy's Run" in the comments line or send a check to DCLC, 2217 Providence Avenue, Chester PA 19013.
November 16, 2011
Awards and Great Food
featured at Literacy Celebration
Awards and delicious food highlighted this year's Annual Literacy Celebration. Two new members were added to the Board of Directors: Travis Lamb of Harrah's Racetrack and Casino in Chester, and LaTanya Burno of the Crozer Library in Chester.
Birsen Kocak celebrates receiving U.S. Citizenship
with her tutor, Linda Walker.
The invocation was graciously made by Rabbi Jeremy Gerber of Congregation Ohev Shalom in Wallingford.
Birsen Kocak and Cenilbia Silva Lozano were among the DCLC adult learners honored for achieving U.S. Citizenship in the past year. Kimberly Robinson, who recently earned her G.E.D. was honored as Student of the Year.
Also honored were Trudi Rockwell and Julia Clark, who received Volunteer-of-the-Year awards. They were praised for being willing to do any task requested of them, including helping with special events and outreach.
Student of the Year Kimberly Robinson accepts her award from DCLC Executive
Director Madeline Bialecki as she
describes her struggles and triumphs
on the way to earning her GED.
Elaine Frieberg was recognized as the English as a Second Language (ESL) Small-Group Tutor of the Year for her work with a group of English Language Learners at Woodlyn Baptist Church.
Jack Stoddard, Patricia Paul, and Sandy Kauffman were honored as the Adult Basic Education (ABE) Small-Group Tutors of the Year. The three volunteer tutors collaborate to provide basic literacy instruction to a group of adults.
Deloitte received the Community Support Award for their on-site volunteering during their IMPACT Day event, as well as ongoing support.
Barbara Logan received the Helen B. Simyak Tutor of the Year award, and Ms. Simyak was in attendance to present the award.
November 5, 2011
"An Evening with Mick Moloney" Draws Crowd,
Raises Funds for the Literacy Council
An Evening with
Mick Moloney
Thank you to all who attended "An Evening with Mick Moloney" at Delaware County Community College on Saturday, November 5.
Nearly 200 people attended the presentation, which offered an in-depth look at the development of Appalachian music. Instruments, dancing, and singing of the Appalachian area were examined and demonstrated in video clips, with commentary by musician and scholar Mick Moloney.
Don Newton of Chester Arts Alive emceed the event, and Charlotte Hobson, DCLC Board Member and former adult learner at the Literacy Council, delivered a poignant speech about the importance of literacy in her life.
The event helped the Literacy Council raise more than $6,000 through sponsorships and ticket sales. Your support is very much appreciated, as are the efforts of the many volunteers who planned and staffed the event.
Please remember to support our sponsors: Emerald Sponsor: Franklin Mint Federal Credit Union Education Foundation, Platinum Sponsor: Harrah's Chester Casino & Racetrack, Gold Sponsors: Crozer-Keystone Health System, Jay King Automotive, Media Chamber Chorale, Rotary Club of Media, Suzanne and Charles Davis, Silver Sponsors: Baker Printing, Terrance and Shonette Carew, Peter McNamara, Esq., Rotary Club of Central Delaware County, Bronze Sponsors: Chester Water Authority, John Cipollone Heating and Cooling, Olga Moskatova, Ned Stevens Gutter Cleaning.
Fall 2011
Digital Storytelling Takes Off at DCLC
Diane Drott, Rebekah Judson (standing), and Carey Burns work on downloading and editing the components of their stories.
The Literacy Council is entering the digital age, as tutors and students use movie-making software, voice-recorders, and personal mementos to create their personal digital stories, which then can be shared via DVD or on video-sharing web sites.
Swarthmore student Rebekah Judson is spearheading the initiative, with the help of fellow student Paloma Perez and in conjunction with the Swarthmore Lang Center for Civic and Social Responsibility.
These two dedicated volunteers are facilitating workshops and providing personalized assistance to those undertaking the digital-storytelling process. Workshop participants learn to use digital tools to pull together the pieces of their personal narrative. The finished stories do not have to be shared with others.
For information about upcoming workshops, call Susan at 610.876.4811.
September 8, 2011
DCLC Celebrates Literacy at Annual Open House
Renee Ross described learning to read all over again after a debilitating stroke. Ziba Salehi celebrated obtaining her U.S. Citizenship and part-time work as a seamstress, both of which were possible once she improved her English skills.
These were just two of the success stories shared during Delaware County Literacy Council's (DCLC's) celebration of International Literacy Day on September 8. Opening its doors to the public, DCLC welcomed visitors to tour the facilities, speak with students and volunteers, and listen to students and guest speakers describe how literacy instruction can change lives. More than 40 local residents attended the Open House and learned firsthand about DCLC's tutoring programs for adults acquiring basic math and reading skills and immigrants learning to speak English.
Representing local Rotarians was guest speaker Rotary District Governor Bonnie Korengel. Ms. Korengel described the powerful impact of literacy projects undertaken by Rotary clubs worldwide. She emphasized that teaching one person to read can have a ripple effect on an entire family, even an entire community.
Several DCLC adult learners accepted recognition for writing essays about helping their community as part of the Sun East Federal Credit Union "People Helping People" contest.
Especially moving were the remarks made by DCLC adult learners Renee Ross and Ziba Salehi. The students praised the Literacy Council for raising their confidence and helping them believe in themselves and the achievements of their future goals.
June 21, 2011
First All-Volunteer Meeting Builds Team Spirit
Sixty volunteers gathered in Widener's Lathem Hall for DCLCís first-ever All-Volunteer Meeting on June 21st.
Topics included the new Adult Learner Handbook and two-page Adult Agreement, which all tutors are asked to read and review with their current adult learners and upcoming fundraisers.
As Education Coordinators Karen Hamilton and Deb Charley explained, all incoming learners will receive the handbook and sign the Adult Agreement and Dress Code Policy as part of the newly instituted orientation process. Tutors also learned that the education coordinators will be observing up to 10 tutor-student pairs in the coming year to provide tutors with constructive feedback and to generate ideas for future trainings and other strategies that could benefit tutors in their important work.
Volunteer Coordinator Susan Keller, with the help of Volunteer Fran Bloom, showcased the upcoming major fundraiser, "An Evening with Mick Moloney," which will be held in Delaware County Community College's large auditorium on Saturday, November 5, 2011, at 7:30 p.m.
June 15, 2011
DCLC Helps GED Graduates Overcome Obstacles
After leaving school without completing the seventh grade, Bill Killinger eventually realized he was "going nowhere." He remembers how difficult that time was, but he also remembers how he was able to turn his life around. "One day, thankfully, I found the Delaware County Literacy Council," says Bill, pictured in photo with Cynthia Williams.
At Delaware County Literacy Council (DCLC), Bill enrolled in a class designed to help adults prepare for their General Equivalency Diploma (GED). With hard work and the guidance of his instructor, Gloria Beam, Killinger went from being "lost and confused" to earning his GED this spring.
Bill described his struggles and triumph in his keynote speech at DCLC's GED graduation ceremony, which honors DCLC students who have earned their GED in the past school year. Held June 15 at Lathem Hall on the campus of Widener University, the ceremony recognized the achievement of adults who overcame great obstacles to prepare for and pass the GED.
In all, seven DCLC adult students reached the milestone this year. Graduates attending the ceremony were Bill Killinger, Courtney Esposito of Collingdale, Marie Slaughter of Chester, Annie Williams of Drexel Hill, and Cynthia Williams of Folsom.
To honor the accomplishments of DCLC's GED graduates, the DCLC Board of Directors has established a scholarship fund to aid students who go on to pursue higher education. Students must pass five tests to earn their GED credential, which is generally recognized as equivalent to a high school diploma. GED preparation classes are offered at DCLC, but each adult learner decides when to take the GED tests. The preparation process can take anywhere from a couple of months to several years.
At the ceremony, DCLC Instructor Russell Bankes told the graduates, "By earning the GED, you earn a key that can open doors; you have the opportunity to set further goals."
In fact, most of this year's graduates plan to pursue additional education. Marie Slaughter, for example, is currently attending courses to become a dental assistant. Other graduates are taking steps toward careers in nursing, musical therapy, and phlebotomy. Check out the photo album for this event.
June 10, 2011
Deloitte Makes a Lasting "Impact" on Literacy Council
On June 10, employees from Deloitte offices in Glen Mills and Philadelphia once again volunteered their professional expertise as well as their painting and landscaping talents to make an "Impact" at Delaware County Literacy Council. While teams of Deloitte volunteers shared their business knowledge by partnering with adult learners and DCLC staff, others went to work sprucing up the building and grounds, all in support of the Literacy Councilís mission to assist adults in improving their reading, writing, math or English-speaking skills.
To help adult learners enter the job market or improve their employment skills, Deloitte professionals offered advice in resume writing, helping students create resumes using the computers at the Literacy Council. To practice interviewing skills, volunteers videotaped mock interviews with the students.
DCLC student Chanatip Jirasupakorn of Prospect Park felt he benefitted from this approach. "I learned how to answer questions in a job interview. The Deloitte volunteers were kind and helped me a lot." he explained.
Student Veronica Brown, who hopes to become a certified nursing assistant, said, "The volunteer helping me had wonderful questions about my resume. He helped me learn how to speak in an interview and helped me use the computer." Veronica's tutor, Trudi Rockwell of Ridley Park, plans to help Veronica fill out applications and fine-tune the resume that she created on Impact Day.
Deloitte also helped DCLC staff develop strategies for promoting the Literacy Council's status as the Delaware County Chamber of Commerce's 2011 Not-for Profit Organization of the Year. "Deloitte's expertise helped us see the wonderful potential we have to reach out to even more residents of Delaware County," said DCLC Executive Director Madeline Bialecki.
Lucille Johnson and Anne Jaques and of Deloitte, seated on the left and right of Bialecki in photo above, headed the team of 30 Deloitte professionals who volunteered at the Literacy Council on Impact Day. Tens of thousands of Deloitte employees across the country participate in Impact Day each year. The day of service was created by Deloitte as a way for employees to join in community service projects and share their business knowledge and experience to benefit area non-profits. The effort is supported locally by the United Way, and Ali Wimer of the United Way of Southeast Delaware County attended Impact Day at the Literacy Council. Deloitte is a family of companies providing auditing, consulting, financial advisory, risk management, and tax services to clients around the world.
 |
 |
 |
DCLC is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. | |
| Delaware County Literacy Council • 2217 Providence Avenue • Chester, PA 19013 • Phone: 610.876.4811 • Fax: 610.876.5414 | ||||