Summer Reading Book Drive

It is Reading Awareness Month in San Diego and to help share the importance of reading, Words Alive is participating in a summer reading book drive to benefit the libraries of San Diego. 

“More than half of the achievement gap between lower- and higher – income youth can be explained by unequal access to summer learning opportunities. As a result, low-income youth are less likely to graduate from high school or enter college."

Low-income students lose more than two months in reading achievement over the summer months. Books collected will be distributed to students by the San Diego Public Library to ensure they are able to keep up with their reading over the summer.

To announce this new endeavor, on April 19th Words Alive brought a Read Aloud Program classroom from Washington Elementary to the City Council Meeting. Our students were so excited to learn about what goes on at these meetings and shared their love of reading with the City Council. Madeline from the third grade class addressed the Council and shared, “reading is important because it lets you go places.”

In partnership with Council member Lorie Zapf, City of San Diego, United Way of San Diego County, and the San Diego County Public Library The Summer Reading Book Drive will run through May 31. We will have a collection bin here at Words Alive and keep a look out for bins at your neighborhood public library and select City Administration buildings in San Diego.

As part of our commitment to make reading matter to everyone, we want to encourage all of the work being done in San Diego that supports our mission, “to open opportunities for life success by inspiring a commitment to reading!”

Click HERE to view a list of all of the San Diego County Libraries and locations.

Celebrating Volunteerism: Words Alive and the San Diego Community

As Words Alive joins the nation in celebrating Volunteer Appreciation during the month of April, we thank the volunteer core that tirelessly devotes time and talent year-round to make our mission, and the work of many other organizations, possible.

San Diego is a philanthropically active community, and Words Alive is one part of the call to action.  The University of San Diego’s Caster Family Center for Nonprofit and Philanthropic Research, a partner in Words Alive program evaluations, published their State of Nonprofits in San Diego report in 2014 that cited a total of 9,364 501(c)3 nonprofits in San Diego.  The nonprofits reported represent a variety of foci including but limited to education, health, environment and animals.  Of the thousands of nonprofits reported, only 23% have paid employees – meaning the work of over 7,000 organizations is facilitated entirely by volunteer support. Of the few thousand nonprofits with paid staff, 59% have fewer than 10 employees (Words Alive included). 

The impact of San Diego’s volunteer community becomes clear – an enablement of thousands of charitable organizations to make their missions reality.  We can attest to that: our core of 550 volunteers empowers us with the ability to reach 5,000 children, teens and families each month with our programs.

Turns out, a culture of giving is not limited to San Diego.  In 2014, the State of California had the highest number of reported volunteer hours in the nation.  As if the time spent and the talent shared isn’t enough of a testament to the impact of volunteerism, the dollar value of each hour given is incredible.  In the last year alone, Words Alive volunteers have contributed over 10,000 hours toward our mission.  According to the Corporation for National & Community Service, each volunteer hour is attributed a monetary value of $26.87 (as of 2014). Since April of 2015, Words Alive volunteers have given nearly $269,000 worth in time!

On behalf of every nonprofit in San Diego, thank you for your devoted and often thankless work to ensure that we remain an aware, progressive and giving community.  You provide a model for the world of how your shared time and talent can bring such valued impact. 

Sources:

Schumann, M.J., Jones, J.A., Hunt, K., Mitchell, C., Krasynska, S., and Deitrick, L. (2014).  Annual Report:

State of Nonprofits in San Diego.  San Diego, CA: Caster Family Center for Nonprofit and Philanthropic Research, University of San Diego

Investing In Early Childhood Development

Words Alive is working alongside some great organizations to support early education in San Diego, such as the Education Synergy Alliance P-3 Salon and the Diamond Education Excellence Partnership. Words Alive brings our expertise in early literacy to the table offering Family Literacy programming as part of community solutions. Early childhood education lays the groundwork for success in Elementary School and beyond.

“A critical time to shape productivity is from birth to age five, when the brain develops rapidly to build the foundation of cognitive and character skills necessary for success in school, health, career and life.” 

Dr. James Heckman, Nobel Laureate in Economics and expert in economics of human development, argues that

it also pays to invest in a child’s early years.  The Heckman Equation shows for every dollar invested in early childhood education there is a “7%-10% per year return, based on increased school and career achievement as well as reduced costs in remedial education, healthy and criminal justice expenditures” for early childhood education.

During a recent visit to Dewey Child Development Center to join the celebration of families graduating from the Words Alive Family Literacy Program, I was struck by the story of a mother’s resilience and the role she felt Words Alive played in helping to empower her to be her child’s first and most important teacher. Maria has 2 children, Max age 4 and Camila, age 7. Maria shared that growing up and attending school in Mexico, reading was a challenge because she did not have books or the support that she needed to make reading accessible; “My parents never read to me, my mother never came to my school.” Asking what influence the program had on reading habits with her children, she continued “one of the most important things I learned is that reading isn’t just about the words on the pages, it is about colors, the pictures, rhyming, and the themes in the book." Maria said that both of her children are more engaged in reading now because she knows how to make it a fun part of their routine.

Maria and her children were just one of seventy families graduating from the 7-week Family Literacy program in March armed with new knowledge, a kindergarten readiness tool kit, and a commitment to continue to make reading matter for their children.

Programs like Family Literacy and the wide variety of early childhood programs throughout San Diego will give these families and children a level playing field, a better start to their school career, and an increased opportunity for high school graduation – all of which will lead to a boost in our economy. By one projection,

“A 5% increase in male high school graduation rates is estimated to save California $753 million in annual incarceration costs and crime-related expenditures. If that same 5% not only graduated but went on to college at the same rate as typical male high school graduates, their average earnings would accrue an additional $352 million annually.”

If a collaborative effort is made to provide access and empower families with young children we at Words Alive and other organizations working together can make a huge impact on our community. At Words Alive we believe that Literacy is the foundation of community and economic development. When everyone can read, whole communities thrive.

Remembering Savannah Sincoff

The Words Alive Family has parted with another dear member and volunteer, Savannah Sincoff.  Savannah started as a Words Alive volunteer in 2011, and has been an amazing supporter of our mission and programs since.  She attended the Author's Luncheon for five years, facilitated women's empowerment workshops for our Words Alive Westreich Scholarship students through her organization "Play 2 Create," and donated other professional services and guidance to the scholarship program.

Savannah gave selflessly and passionately.  Her life was meaningfully intertwined with many others in our family.  We will remember her with love, and for the significant time she gave to Words Alive.  Many thanks to Savannah and her family. 

79th Assembly District's 2016 Salute to Women Leaders!

79th Assembly District's 2016 Salute to Women Leaders! 

Words Alive is proud to support both staff and volunteer team members who received recognition this past weekend at the 79th Assembly District's 2016 Salute-to-Women Leaders!  The event is a tradition from 1987 in which women who improve the quality of life in our communities are acknowledged. 

Words Alive's own Teen Services Program Manager Theresa Tolentino (left), was the recipient of the Social Service Award. Theresa adeptly manages volunteers and programs that connect 450 teens from Juvenile Court and Community Schools across the county to rich book discussions, writing programs, book ownership (often the first for many of the kids), author events, arts projects, scholarships, mentors and more. Most recently, she collaborated with teaching staff to develop a Share Your Story workshop, encouraging students to find their voice, develop a positive self-image, and hone the communication skills needed for successful writing, resumes, and interviews. Theresa is a champion of Words Alive's mission and embodies the power of service and education. We are proud to see her get recognized for all of her achievements. 

Theresa is joined (right) by Words Alive volunteers Billie Greene, who was recognized in the Community Activism category, and Ethel Daniels.  There were a total of 32 nominations in all.

Congratulations Theresa and Billie for a well-deserved salute to your community service and giving spirits! Thank you for your help in fulfilling our mission, to open opportunity for life success by inspiring a commitment to reading!

Words Alive Inspires Counselors During Forum

Words Alive was recently invited to participate in the California State University San Marcos (CSUSM) Alliance Middle & High School Counselor Forum, hosting a breakout session on volunteer and partnership prospects. As a continual effort to collaborate with like-minded organizations and institutions, Words Alive has made itself available for collaborative opportunities to provide more resources for students and families, as well as educating the community on the importance literacy plays in all aspects of our lives.

On March 8th, Operations Director, Chrissy Califf and Read Aloud Program Manager, Carter Anderson facilitated conversations with middle and high school counselors related to “needs of the whole student - academic, cognitive, social, and emotional” as part of an annual CSUSM Alliance event.

CSUSM Alliance is a community engagement cohort, ensuring students have support, connections, mentorship and a vehicle for success on campus. “CSUSM and K-12 districts in the university’s service region share a commitment to enhancing student success. With an interest in expanding and enhancing student experiences, the university and partner districts have developed a mutual agreement in which K-12 districts provide their students with a rigorous program of study and meaningful learning experiences and the university provides a guarantee of enrollment and a compendium of experiences designed to support college perseverance and success.”

It's Words Alive’s objective to discover, obtain and realize connections in the community in order to fulfill our mission in the classroom and beyond. As part of that cause, we will continue to seek avenues to present, facilitate and foster discussions about ways to join forces to tackle illiteracy within our community.

Share Your Love of Reading 2016

Words Alive's 2016 Share Your Love of Reading event was a huge success!!

VIR's (Very Important Readers) In the classrooms

Our goal was to spend the month of February sharing the importance that literacy plays in every aspect of our lives. We partnered with 24 VIR's including; Mayor Kevin Faulconer, NBA Legend Bill Walton, Retired Hall of Fame Jockey Julie Krone, The San Diego Padres' Friar and Pad Squad, The San Diego Gulls, Coucilmembers Lorie Zapf and Myrtle Cole, City Supervisior Dave Roberts, NBC's Jodi Kodesh, ABC 10News Megan Parry, Virginia Cha, Renee Nelson, Robert Santos, Brandon Lewis and many many more!

Click HERE to see more photos of the VIR's in the classrooms.

By bringing VIR's and media attention into the classroom we were able to continue our goal of "making reading matter" by showing students how reading plays a part in life success in all different pursuits and career paths.

At Words Alive, our mission is “to open opportunities for life success by inspiring a commitment to reading.” and thanks to our wonderful supporters and partners Share Your Love of Reading was able to do just that!

Media Exposure

Our Share Your Love of Reading campaign was featured on KUSI, NBC 7, ABC 10News, KPBS radio and TV, 

Check out KUSI's clip on the right to see Mayor Kevin Faulconer at Golden Hill Elementary on February 19th.

Click HERE to view the addition clips from our media partners

#Shelfies 2016

In addition to our Share Your Love of Reading classroom involvement, during the month of February we also had a "share a #shelfie" campaign to raise donations and awareness to the importance of literacy.

Thanks to a generous donation from SDG&E Words Alive received $1 for every #shelfie that was posted from the community.

Below are just a handful of the fun and creative #shelfies that we received this year! 

Thank you to all of the wonderful individuals and VIR's that spent time sharing your love of reading this year and helping to make a difference in peoples lives through reading!

Words Alive & Warwick's - Authors In The Community

Continuing our efforts to "make reading matter" in our community, Words Alive is proud to partner with Warwick's Books to present exciting authors and literary icons in 2016. Join us this spring as we welcome Amy Cuddy and Bill Walton, as they discuss and sign their new books! 

Stay tuned for more Author's and events to be announced soon!

UPCOMING EVENTS

Bill Walton

Warwick's and Words Alive present San Diego's own NBA MVP, Hall of Famer, and Award-Winning Broadcaster Bill Walton as he discusses and signs his new book, Back From The Dead.  

Who: Bill Walton 

When: Monday March 28th @ 7:00pm 

Where: The Sherwood Auditorium @ MCASD. Click here for directions.

Tickets: $29.16 - One admission & one copy of the book;

$39.16 - Two Admissions & one copy of the book.

Click here to purchase tickets.

Book: Back From the Dead

This inspiring memoir from sports and cultural icon Bill Walton recounts his devastating injuries and amazing recoveries, set in the context of his UCLA triumphs under John Wooden, his storied NBA career, and his affinity for music and the Grateful Dead.

Fine Print: Doors open at 6:15pm. Seating is first come first served

Save the date June 26th, 2016

Barbara Boxer

Barbara Boxer has made her mark, combining compassionate advocacy with scrappiness in a political

 career spanning more than three decades. Now, retiring from the Senate, she continues the work to which she's dedicated 30 years in Congress. Her memoir, THE ART OF TOUGH, shares her provocative and touching recollections of service, and cements her commitment to the fight for women, families, quality, environmental protection, all in a peaceful world.

Leading In The Community By Teaching Others

If we truly want to MAKE READING MATTER in San Diego, we have to cast the program net wide, and that requires sharing best practices and contributing to coordinated community solutions around literacy.
 
January was a big month for Words Alive in that regard.
 
Project Concern International - California Border Healthy Start Project

Just after the New Year, we were asked to provide a training for the home-visiting staff of Project Concern International’s California Border Healthy Start Project. In their program model, staff visit under-served families at home, serving as a key connection between parents and resources to increase family stability. PCI reached out to Words Alive looking for a professional development opportunity that would better equip home-visiting staff with tools and strategies to support parents in building habits of reading aloud daily to their children. Thirty-four staff members from PCI spent an afternoon in rich-discussion and hands-on practice. Attendees described the training as “creative, motivating and informative”, and reported leaving better prepared for the task at hand.

As reported by the programs director, Lisa Bain, following are some results of the enthusiasm inspired by the training:

• A literacy work group was established to keep the issue a priority in our programs and has organized a client event to celebrate World Read Aloud day in February

• Data collection forms were revised to capture a broader understanding of literacy (e.g. not just reading books)

• PCI is joining the San Diego Council on Literacy

• National Literacy Month has been added to the office’s planning calendar

• Home visiting staff have expressed positive feedback from clients when using books as a regular part of their home visits

DEEP - The Power of Play

More recently, Words Alive took a lead role as co-facilitator in a full-day professional development

 training for home-based child care in the Diamond Community of southeast San Diego. Child care providers licensed to take care of children in their home are an integral part of the survival pie for working parents and, often, a child’s first experience with a learning environment outside the home.

In response to community feedback, the 0-5 working group of the Diamond Education Excellence Partnership identified supporting providers as an important early strategy to helping children arrive at kindergarten prepared to learn. A strong example of coordinated effort, partners from Words Alive, San Diego Public Library-READ, Malcolm X Library, YMYCA CRS, SDSU Department of Early and Family Development came together to provide meaningful strategies around the Power of Play and ways to integrate literacy into all parts of a child’s day. Attendees are already signing up for the 2nd and 3rd installments of the series!

Please find the flyer from the event on January 23rd to the left.

2015 was busy but we promise to make 2016 even busier, by reaching out into the community and leading the charge to open opportunities for life success by inspiring a commitment to reading!

Making Reading Matter - Changing Lives!

In loving memory of a champion of Words Alive - Cindy Polger

Today we celebrate our incredible fortune to have been touched, deeply, in all aspects of our organization, by Cindy Polger. As a board member, guiding the growth and vision of Words Alive, as an ABG volunteer and site manager, bringing the joy of reading to hundreds of San Diego teens, and as a staunch supporter, ensuring the mission of Words Alive to reach countless families in our community, Cindy's participation and outspoken championship of our (her) work will be sorely missed as we move forward. While we are deeply saddened by her passing, we are equally uplifted by her presence for the last 16 years. We can say, without a doubt, that lives have truly been changed because of Cindy's involvement.

Click the image below to find her obituary.