OCCLC News. Ouachita Calhoun County Literacy Council, Inc. Serving Calhoun, Dallas, and Ouachita Counties

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1 OCCLC News Ouachita Calhoun County Literacy Council, Inc. Issue 11 December 2012 OCCLC News Serving Calhoun, Dallas, and Ouachita Counties The OCCLC staff, AmeriCorps READS members, and the Board of Directors extend happy holiday wishes to the communities of Calhoun, Dallas, and Ouachita Counties. We wish you peace and prosperity throughout the New Year OCCLC sincerely appreciates its 2012 adult learners, members, and supporters. We hope that you will join us as we DOVE (Deliver Opportunity Via Education) in Whys you can help: ONATE TO OCCLC RGANIZE A SITE OR FUNDRAISER FOR OCCLC OLUNTEER TO TUTOR OR WORK AT OCCLC NCOURAGE ADULTS TO READ BETTER, MORE, & EXCEL

2 OCCLC News Page 2 MLK Day Collage of Services 2013 Ouachita-Calhoun County Literacy Council will sponsor the Arkansas AmeriCorps Alumni Chapter and its AmeriCorps members in hosting the 2013 MLK Day Collage of Services project. The MLK Day Collage of Services program was created in 2009 by AmeriCorps Alum, Linda Nelson. Each year since 2010, AmeriCorps members have recruited volunteers and brought the community together in service projects that would bring literacy to life. Volunteers of past Collage of Services projects have supported Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA), the Women s Crisis Center, and provided for special group projects that raised awareness, advocated for peace and unity, and gave in service to residents across Ouachita County. This year, AmeriCorps members of the Alumni Chapter will hold a resume building and job applications workshop on Saturday, January 12, 10:00a-2:00p at the OPED Building, 625 Adams Street, Camden. Participants will learn how to construct their personal resumes and receive a hard-copy, as well as practice properly completing job applications. Members and volunteers will meet on Sunday, January 13 for Sunday Supper. Anyone wanting to volunteer or support the project may call the council at , or lnelson@sautech.edu

3 OCCLC News & Services Page 3 Ouachita-Calhoun County Literacy Council, Inc. The OCCLC MISSION: To assist adults in becoming economically self-sufficient, employable, and able to move to higher levels of education Staying Healthy Curriculum at OCCLC in 2013 Arkansas Literacy Councils have adapted the Florida Literacy Coalition s Staying Healthy curriculum with Arkansas resources. Ouachita-Calhoun County Literacy Council is one of five Arkansas councils to be granted funding to implement the program. OCCLCs start-up program will offer the course curriculum to 60 low income residents of Ouachita, Calhoun, and Dallas Counties. The purpose of the curriculum is to aid in the reduction of preventable illnesses and in the production of healthier families and community Youth Challenge Pathway Expo Young Adults (14-24) Saturday, March 30 SAU Tech Charles O. Ross Center 746 California Street SW 10:00a-4:30p Learn About Adult Literacy and Resources The 2013 calendars of OCCLCs staff and member are open for speaking engagements. Invite us to your next function, meeting, or site. Call or lnelson@sautech.edu

4 OCCLC News Community Corner Page 4 Ouachita-Calhoun County Literacy Council, Inc. Learning/Tutoring Centers DHS, 222 Van Buren, Camden-Monday-Thursday, 9:00a-1:00p, Call DHS, 137 Archer St., Hampton-Wednesdays, 9:00a-11:30a, Call FISD Admin. Bldg, 114 Collins, Fordyce-Tuesday-Thursday, 9:00a-1:00p, Call People functioning below basic literacy levels may be able to identify what is going on in these photos, but they may struggle with the activity. Be a friend and encourage adults to read and learn. Need help approaching the subect or referring someone for help? Call or Tutor Training and Learner Enrollment Adult learner enrollment is always open to citizens in Ouachita, Calhoun, and Dallas Counties through OCCLC. So that learners are not placed on a waiting list, and can partner with a tutor immediately upon request, tutors are needed in the following areas: Camden, Hampton, Fordyce, Louann, Stephens, Chidester, Bearden, Carthage, and Sparkman. Advocates and volunteers are also needed to help at start-up council locations in these areas. To initiate adult literacy and skills improvement in your community, contact Linda Nelson at to schedule an on-site tutor workshop (minimum of 5 attending required). Tutor training workshops are free, and adult learning materials are provided at no cost. OCCLC s training staff is ProLiteracy trained and certified.

5 OCCLC News - Support Page 5 OCCLC s Signature Stamp OCCLC supporters can give to adult literacy efforts financially all year long by purchasing our Signature Stamp at: In-Service Tutor Training Luncheon Anyone interested in parterning with adult learners through OCCLC are welcome to join trained tutors at their In-Service Tutor Training Luncheon on Wednesday, December 19 at First Baptist Church, 348 Washington NW, at 11:30a. The training will cover reading strategies, and will give those interested in volunteering in adult literacy reading assistance training that will allow them to be matched immediately with adult learners enrolled through the council. All tutors who have completed a full workshop are encouraged to attend. Call , or lnelson@sautech.edu to register in advance. AmeriCorps Members Get Things Done to Improve Adult Literacy in Ouachita, Calhoun, Dallas Counties Eligible AmeriCorps members who wish to join AmeriCorps Alumni Association in Arkansas may contact Linda Nelson, Arkansas AmeriCorps Alumni - Camden Chapter camden@americorpsalums.org Want to support adult literacy, but tutoring is not for you? Join our South Central Arkansas Advocates for Adult Literacy (SCAAAL) team and become an adult literacy champion. Team members raise awareness of adult literacy issues on local, state, and federal levels through written and speaking activities. Training and membership are free. Contact Linda at OCCLC for more information.

6 OCCLC News Board, News Members, You Can & Donors Use - OCCLC Page News OCCLC Board of Directors President: Dr. Richard Piles, FBC of Camden Vice President: Sharron Ekpe, Camden Fire Dept. Treasurer: Sandy Neely, SAU Tech Secretary: Sue Frazier, Career Pathways Members of the Board: Dr. Corbet Lamkin, SAU Tech Robert Gunnels, VC SAU Tech James Rawls, SATCO Mary Grice, Fact Inc. Erma Brown, Retired State of AR Elenor Thompson, Community Member Barbara Hamilton, Adult Education Kerron Simpson, AR Workforce Bishop Chester Thompson, Community/Civic Leader Pictured left to right: Elenor Thompson, Dr. Richard Piles, Sandy Neely, Kerron Simpson, Robert Gunnels, and Sue Frazier. Foundation Donors Arkansas Literacy Councils, Inc. Arkansas Black Hall of Fame Dollar General Entergy National Coalition for Literacy ProLiteracy, Inc. National Book Fund Verizon Wal-Mart Ouachita-Calhoun County Literacy Councils, Inc. sincerely thanks all donors for their outstanding contributions in support of adult literacy and OCCLC Memberships Are Now Available Find New Membership Forms at:

7 OCCLC News Community Corner Page 7 Food Vendors Wanted for 2013 Youth Challenge Pathway Expo Call Linda or Seeking: Athletic Director, Basketball Coach, and Cheer Coach Coordinate with Anyna Biddle, an AmeriCorps Alum and founder of a regional sports league for children, grades 4-6, to start-up a league in the Camden and Fordyce areas to play in the SW Regional District. camden@americorpsalums.org Business and Community Leaders Needed as Youth Mentors lnelson@sautech.edu for more information Together, we can make a difference Parents, Guardians, and Concerned Community Members: Empower our community s youth (14-24 Years) OCCLCs staff and community collaborators will continue to offer free 2-day workshops entitled Don t Be Good, Be Great in These special workshops are co-sponsored by Opportunity Nation, which is a national campaign to increase opportunity in America workshop schedules will be announced in advance. In addition, OCCLC will implement its pathway curriculum for at-risk youth in April 2013.For more information, please call , or lnelson@sautech.edu OCCLC Currently Seeking a Health Literacy Coordinator The Health Literacy Coordinator will implement the Staying Healthy curriculum in Ouachita, Calhoun, and Dallas Counties. This position will begin as Provisional PT-Temporary with continuation dependent upon the success of the project. OCCLC staff is seeking to fill the position by February 1, Interested applicants may forward their resume to Linda Nelson via at lnelson@sautech.edu Support Adult Literacy Efforts through Annual Membership Annual membership with OCCLC is only $5, but it can make a huge difference. OCCLC is a 501(c) 3, not-for-profit community-based organization. The organizations mission is to Assist adults in becoming economically self-sufficient, employable, and able to move to higher levels of education. Visit our webpage at Ouachita-Calhoun County Literacy Council, Inc. is a partner with SAU Tech, and an affiliated member of Arkansas Literacy Councils, Inc., ProLiteracy, Inc., and COABE

8 If you can imagine it, you can achieve it; if you can dream it, you can become it. -William Arthur Ward Ouachita-Calhoun County Literacy Council, Inc or