www.LiteracyPBC.org • Winter 2016

BOARD OF DIRECTORS EXECUTIVE COMMITTEEPresidentLisa Koza, Northern TrustVice PresidentsSusan Rabinowtiz, Bank of AmericaTom Streit, Akerman LLPSecretaryKathy Metzger, Florida Crystals CorporationTreasurerLynn Kalber, Community VolunteerParliamentariansDr. Robert Gingras, Palm Beach State CollegeJoan Williams, Searcy Denney Scarola Barnhart & Shipley, P.A.Bettina Young, Community VolunteerImmediate Past PresidentRobert Patterson, SunTrustDIRECTORSAurora Arthay, Palm Beach County Library System Dr. Regine Bataille , Gentle Medicine AssociatesElizabeth Cayson, Health Care District of Palm Beach CountyMaggie Dickenson*, U.S. BankDavid Fleisher , Lynn UniversityLaurie L. Gildan*, Greenberg Traurig, P.A.Sharon Hill, Community VolunteerAlma Horne , Martin Luther King, Jr. Coordinating Committee Julia Jennison, Lewis, Longman & Walker, P.A.Lawrence Katz , Wells FargoDean Lavallee, Park Avenue BBQ & GrilleDr. Joseph Lee, School District of Palm Beach CountyAmanda Lundergan , Ice Legal, P.A.Ken Montgomery, Barnabas Consulting Group, Inc.Kellyn Muller , International Materials, Inc.Ginny Neal , Neal, Crossman & AssociatesBernadette O’Grady*, WPTV NewsChannel 5Peter Robbins, Florida Power & LightCarol Rose, The Palm Beach PostLourdes Sanchez, Om Yoga Wellness StudiosSheryl Simon, TD BankKenneth G. Spillias*, Town of Ocean RidgeKelly Starling, AT&TMatthew Turko, Haile, Shaw & Pfaffenberger, P.A.Nancy Vera, Community Volunteer* Past PresidentFounding PresidentGale G. HowdenCHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICERKristin Calder

ADVISORY PANELKathy Adkins, Community VolunteerDr. Alina Alonso, Palm Beach County Health DepartmentElaine Alvarez, Community VolunteerRyan Beiser, PNC BankMichael Bracci, Northern TrustCheryl Budd, NCCI Holdings, Inc.Tim Burke, The Palm Beach PostMarta Casas-Celaya, ComcastLaura Corry, South Florida Water Management DistrictDouglas Crane, Palm Beach County Library SystemPhil DiComo, Haile Shaw & Pfaffenberger, P.A.Nancy Dockerty, Dockerty RomerGeorge Elmore, HardrivesDennis Grady, Chamber of Commerce of the Palm BeachesKaren Granger, Greater Delray Beach Chamber of CommerceThe Honorable Susan Haynie, Mayor of Boca RatonLeanna Landsmann, Scripps FloridaThe Honorable Jeri Muoio, Mayor of West Palm BeachElizabeth Neuhoff, Neuhoff CommunicationsJennifer O’Flannery, Nova Southeastern UniversityStacy Ostrau, Sun-SentinelAva Parker, Palm Beach State CollegeVal Perez, TD Bank Jonathan Porges, Greater Boynton Beach Chamber of CommerceRocki Rockingham, Jarden Consumer SolutionsDr. Kevin Ross, Lynn UniversityCindi Russamano, GunsterTim Snow, The George Snow Scholarship FundShelley Vana, PBC Board of County CommissionersSamantha Vassallo, SunTrustAnne Vegso, Peter Vegso & Kim Weiss, HCI Communications

Florida Literacy Coalition and ProLiteracy Member

On the cover: AmeriCorps members Samatha Haverly, Alexis Luis and Morris Jaspers take their oath of service.

Only 2% of the charities rated have received at least seven consecutive 4-star evaluations, indicating that Literacy Coalition of Palm Beach County outperforms most other charities in America.

Our MissionThe mission of the Literacy Coalition of Palm Beach County is to improve the quality of life in our community by promoting and achieving literacy.

Leading Through Reading

A Message from our CEOLiteracy Coalition Recognized In Top 2% of Charities Nationwide

Leading through Reading has been the tagline of the Literacy Coalition since 2009. It represents that we are leading adults, children and families to gain literacy skills and empowering them to succeed in life as they embrace reading in their daily lives as students, employees, parents and citizens.

Through extensive outreach and collaboration with a network of community partners, the Literacy Coalition is working to address these needs with services by our Literacy AmeriCorps, Adult and Family Literacy programs and Children’s Literacy programs like Budding Readers, Reach Out and Read and Building Better Readers, which support our efforts with the National Campaign for Grade Level Reading.

We are excited to announce a fantastic event season to celebrate reading and support literacy. Please join us to be a part of this important chapter as we

work toward improving the quality of life in our community by promoting and achieving literacy.

Literacy Coalition Recognized In Top 2% of Charities NationwideThe Literacy Coalition has earned our seventh consecutive 4-star rating from Charity Navigator. Receiving four out of a possible four stars indicates that our organization adheres to good governance and other best practices that minimize the chance of unethical activities and consistently executes our mission in a fiscally responsible way. Only 2% of the charities rated have received at least 7 consecutive 4-star evaluations, indicating that the Literacy Coalition of Palm Beach County outperforms most other charities in America. This “exceptional” designation differentiates the Literacy Coalition of Palm Beach County from its peers and demonstrates to the public it is worthy of your trust.

-- Kristin Calder

The Literacy Coalition participated in the 2015 Charlie Brown Christmas Forever Stamp Dedication at Palm Beach Children’s Hospital at St. Mary’s Medical Center in West Palm Beach. The Coalition made a book donation for the young patients at the hospital and the students who attended and performed at the event. Curlita Rogers-Saunders, Custom Relations Coordinator for West Palm Beach, United States Postal Service (USPS), Shelley Vana, Palm Beach County Commissioner, Kristin Calder, Literacy Coalition CEO and Richard Fermo, Postmaster, West Palm Beach, USPS.

Getting Things Done for Literacy

AmeriCorps Oath of Service

Right to left: Mary Chaffee, Andrew Bourizk and Irijah Kanoyton take the Oath of Service.

40 full time Literacy AmeriCorps members in Palm Beach Countycontribute over 68,000 HOURS of service each year in local tutoring, mentoring, teaching and community

I will get things done for America, to make our people safer, smarter, and healthier. I will bring Americans together to strengthen our communities. Faced with apathy, I will take action. Faced with conflict, I will seek common ground. Faced with adversity, I will persevere. I will carry this commitment with me this year and beyond. I am an AmeriCorps member, and I’m getting things done!

“

“

The Literacy Coalition’s AmeriCorps program has played a vital role in helping to improve literacy in Palm Beach County since 1997. The Coalition trains, supervises and places 40 members who dedicate a year of service at 66 sites throughout our community. Each year, the members contribute 68,000 hours of service as graduation coaches, reading tutors, college readiness coaches and mentors in schools, libraries, family literacy centers and community based organizations throughout Palm Beach County.

Last year Literacy AmeriCorps members:• assisted 852 adult learners with reading, English and employability skills • coached, tutored and mentored 1,312 at-risk youth for academic success• tutored 168 children to improve reading skills• provided homework help to 342 children

Anne Watts, Assistant Library Director at the Boynton Beach City Library, sees firsthand the impact of the members on the 16-18 students who attend the teen discussion group each session,

with the middle school students who attend the homework help class each day and with the 100 students that attend four adult literacy classes held daily. She says, “Our AmeriCorps members are as good as it gets.”

James Rhoads, director of training and education at The Lord’s Place, sees the impact, too. He says, “The heartfelt caring effort of the AmeriCorps members, along with The Lord’s Place staff, provides the missing human link for many homeless who come through our agency. Their efforts play an integral part in assisting more than 300 homeless clients each year to obtain apprenticeship opportunities and even find employment.”

One of the greatest legacies for Palm Beach County and the Literacy Coalition is the large number of members who remain in Palm Beach County after their year of service. They have become leaders in our community-based organizations and companies, adding significant value to our workforce.

For more information on how you can support the Literacy AmeriCorps program, contact the Literacy Coalition.

Literacy AmeriCorps member Dave Neifeld tutors a student at the Literacy Coalition’s Village Readers program in Delray Beach.

Cindy Pilloni, PNC Bank, Ashton Parfitt, Barnes & Noble, Kristin Calder, Literacy Coalition, Tania Rogers, WPTV NewsChannel 5, Kim Reckley, PNC Bank and Jason Hawkins, PetSmart

Read forthe Record 2015

The Literacy Coalition celebrated the 2015 Read for the Record on October 22 by coordinating 800 local volunteers to read to 14,000 children at 300 childcare centers and schools throughout Palm Beach County. The campaign was funded locally by PNC Bank and featured the book, Not Norman, by Kelly Bennett.

The main event was held at the Barnes & Noble and PetSmart in Boynton Beach. Children from the community and the Literacy Coalition’s early literacy and family literacy programs attended along with Tiny Tikes Academy and West Palm Beach Junior Academy preschool classes. Children enjoyed story time with guest celebrity readers Tania Rogers, WPTV NewsChannel 5, and Kim Reckley, PNC Bank, went on a scavenger hunt and participated in additional hands-on activities.

Mayors and public officials competed in our annual contest to see which municipality would have the greatest number of community leaders reading. Out of 16 participating municipalities, 225 officials and staff members read at more than 111 centers to 7,020 children. The City of Boynton Beach won for larger cities where 65 adults read to 1,814 students and the Town of Lantana, the winner for smaller municipalities, had 28 adults read to 610 students. Honorable mentions went

to the City of West Palm Beach, the Village of Palm Springs and the City of Lake Worth.

We thank everyone who supported Read for the Record and give a special thanks to the members of the Palm Beach County Fire Rescue, who had 75 firefighters from 25 fire stations read to more than 2,000 students throughout the county.

Mayors and city officialsmake literacy a priority

The Literacy Coalition hosted the 8th annual Mayors’ Literacy Initiative Luncheon at the Flagler Steakhouse at The Breakers, Palm Beach, September 16 to provide updates for Mayors and city officials about literacy and education issues. Held in partnership with The Palm Beach County League of Cities, Inc. and sponsored by Comcast, the Literacy Coalition encouraged participation in our literacy efforts including “Read for the Record” and “Read Together Palm Beach County”. Featured speaker Dr. David Christiansen, Deputy Superintendent for the School District of Palm Beach County, was introduced by Dr. Joseph Lee, an Assistant Superintendent with the School District. Our 2015-2016 Literacy AmeriCorps members also took their oath of service administered by City of Boynton Beach Mayor Jerry Taylor.

Dr. Joseph Lee, Kristin Calder, Marta Casas-Celaya, Richard Radcliffe and Dr. David Christiansen

Mayor Tom Lynch, Kristin Calder, Mayor Jeri Muoio and Mayor Thomas Masters

Lori LaVerriere and Mayor Jerry Taylor photographed with a special Read for the Record “Not Norman” cake from Diva-licious Cake House.

Dawn Pardo, Shelley Vana, Mayor Susan Haynie, Debbie Manzo, Robert Weinroth, Paula Bousquet and Mayor Sam Ferreri

Caitlin Cantrell, Dr. David Christiansen, Chip Block, Mayor Daniel J. Comerford, III and Ryan Flynn

Made possible by

Thursday, March 10, 201611:30 a.m. West Palm BeachRaymond F. Kravis Center for the Performing Arts Cohen Pavilion

The Literacy Coalition is proud to welcome David Baldacci, international bestselling author and literacy advocate, as our featured speaker for the 25th Annual Love of Literacy Luncheon on Thursday, March 10 at the Kravis Center in West Palm Beach. The event is being chaired by Bettina Young and sponsored by Bank of America.

David Baldacci published his first novel, Absolute Power, in 1996. A major motion picture adaptation followed, with Clint Eastwood as its director and star. In total, David has published 30 novels for adults; all have been national and international bestsellers, and several have been adapted for film and television. His novels have been translated into more than 45 languages and sold in more than 80 countries; over 110 million copies are in print worldwide. David has also published five novels for younger readers, including the #1 bestseller The Finisher, which is in development as a feature film.

While David is involved with several philanthropic organizations, his greatest efforts are dedicated to his family’s Wish You Well Foundation®. Established by David and his wife, Michelle, the Wish You Well Foundation supports family and adult literacy in the United States by fostering and promoting the development and expansion of literacy and educational programs.

SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIESPlatinum Sponsor $10,000• Receive recognition in all publicity• Name on produced media• Full-page ad in event program with prime placement• Recognition from podium• Reserved table for ten with prime seating• Name on sponsor board at luncheon• Signed copy of a David Baldacci book• Private reception with speaker (for 10 guests)

Gold Sponsor $4,500 • Receive recognition in all publicity • Name on produced media• Full-page ad in event program• Recognition from podium• Reserved table for ten with priority seating• Name on sponsor board at luncheon• Private reception with speaker (for 6 guests) Silver Sponsor $3,000• Recognition in event program and publicity• Reserved table for ten with preferred seating• Half-page ad in program book• Name on sponsor board at luncheon• Private reception with speaker (for 4 guests)

Table Sponsor $1,500• Reserved table for ten• Recognition in event program and publicity

All sponsors have the option to have two adult literacy students or AmeriCorps members at their table.

Patron Ticket $300 • Includes a personal color photograph with speaker at a

private reception prior to the luncheon. • Patron ticket(s) to private reception will be mailed.Individual Ticket $150• No ticket(s) will be mailed.• Registration is complete upon payment. Ad Sponsor• Half Page $175 • Full Page $275 • Back inside cover $500Please mail payment to: Literacy Coalition of Palm Beach County3651 Quantum Blvd, Boynton Beach, FL 33426www.LiteracyPBC.orgA COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL-FREE 1-800-435-7352 AND REFERRING TO CH3135. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE. THE COALITION’S FEDERAL I.D. IS #65-0169781 AND 100% OF THIS CONTRIBUTION GOES TO THE LITERACY COALITION OF PALM BEACH COUNTY. PLEASE NOTE TICKET SALES AND SPONSORSHIPS ARE NON-REFUNDABLE. FAIR MARKET VALUE OF GOODS AND SERVICES RECEIVED ESTIMATED AT $36.60 PER PERSON. ANY PAYMENT IN EXCESS OF $36.60 IS TAX DEDUCTIBLE TO THE EXTENT ALLOWED BY LAW.

DAVID BALDACCI Headlines 25th Love of Literacy Luncheon

Sixth Annual Presenting Sponsor

Gold Sponsors Bronze Sponsor

Join us for the 6th Annual Loop the Lake for Literacy on Saturday, February 6, 2016. This fun and exciting cycling event fosters economic development in the Glades area and helps raise much needed funds for the Literacy Coalition’s efforts including our Glades Family Education program in Belle Glade serving the Tri-City Glades area. The event is being chaired by Elizabeth Cayson and Tom Streit. Visit LooptheLakeforLiteracy.org to register as an individual or a team and to learn more about sponsorship opportunities starting at $500. Participants who fundraise more than $200 can ride for free in the event and those who raise more than $400 can ride for free and earn a free Loop the Lake jersey. Register a team of 9 and the 10th rider is free.

Kick-off Reception A Loop the Lake for Literacy Kick-off was celebrated Monday, November 16 at Table 26 in West Palm Beach in honor of our 2016 “sweet” supporters including Florida Crystals Corporation, Domino Sugar, the Sugar Cane Growers Cooperative and Levenger Foundation.

The wheels are turning for the Loop the Lake

John Metzger, Brian O’Malley, Kristin Calder, Tom Streit and Kathy Metzger

Len and Barbara Gray, Kristin Calder, Andrew Travieso and Christy Potter

Rob Kennedy, Janet Longenecker, Sharon Doyle and Sheryl Simon

Bob and Karen Marks

Karin Cabrera, Cesar and Marcella Contreras and Christopher Hopkins

John Bartosek andDr. Joseph Lee

Kathy Metzger, John Metzger and Evelyn Hopkins

Lori and Jeff Ritter

Lori and Steve Leveen ride in Loop the Lake.

BEE TEAMSAkerman LLPDuffy’s Sports Grill All-StarsDuffy’s Sports Grill MVPsFlorida Crystals CorporationFriends of the Palm Beach County Library SystemGreenberg Traurig, P.A. Haile, Shaw & Pfaffenberger, P.A.LegalYouLevengerLewis, Longman & Walker, P.A.Lynn UniversityNextEra EnergyPalm Beach State CollegeThe Palm Beach PostPublix Super Markets CharitiesSV MicrowaveTD BankWPBF 25 News

LETTER SPONSORSA: AT&Ta: Allianz ChampionshipB: Bernadette O’GradyC: Dr. Regine Bataille, Gentle Medicine Associatesc: Allianz ChampionshipD: Searcy Denney Scarola Barnhart & Shipley, P.A.E: Elizabeth CaysonF: Fox Rothschild LLPG: The Gildan FamilyH: Alma HorneK: Lisa KozaL: Lynn Kalber and Scott EymanM: The Metzger FamilyN: Ginny R. NealO: Om Yoga & Wellness StudiosQ: Park Avenue BBQ & GrilleR: Dr. Regine Bataille, Gentle Medicine AssociatesS: Searcy Denney Scarola Barnhart & Shipley, P.A.T: AT&TV: The Vera FamilyX: Ken SpilliasY: Bettina YoungZ: Tom Ztreit

Presenting Beekeeper Sponsor

Bee Hive Sponsor

Dr. Rob Gingras, Amanda Lundergan, Ginny Neal, Ariane Miller, Tom Ice, Buzzby Book Bee (Ken Montgomery), Lisa Koza and Kristin Calder

Second place team Palm Beach State College: Allen Weber, Cheryl Zimmerman, Ken Montgomery and Becky Mercer

Bee Hive Sponsor Publix Super Markets Charities team: Laurie Cripe, Al Banks and Coleen Schaefer

Winning bee team Duffy’s Sports Grill All-Stars: Jayme Bennett, Mina Le and Tina Maura

Third place team NextEra Energy: Kevin Maida, Jennifer Belger, Orin Shakerdge and Ken Montgomery

Mike Sfiropoulos, Lourdes Marx, Ken Montgomery Carol Rose and Dr. William Mech

Thanks to some competitive spellers, the Literacy Coalition of Palm Beach County raised more than $42,000 with the Great Grown-Up Spelling Bee. The event was held Oct. 15 at the Harriet Himmel Theater at City Place and was chaired by Literacy Coalition Board Members Dr. Rob Gingras and Ginny Neal.

Nearly 20 teams competed in the spell-off. After 22 rounds, it came down to 3 teams: Palm Beach State College, NextEra Energy and Duffy Sports Grill All-Stars. The Duffy’s team clinched the

win by spelling the word ENCEPHALON. Palm Beach State College placed second.

The Literacy Coalition is grateful for the support from Presenting Sponsor LegalYou; Bee Hive Sponsor Publix Super Markets Charities; Bee Wordmaster Mike Sfiropoulos, Palm Beach State College; Bee judges Dr. William Mech, Florida Atlantic University, Lourdes Marx, Palm Beach State College, and Carol Rose, The Palm Beach Post; and Master of Ceremonies Jon Shainman of WPTV NewsChannel 5. Proceeds benefit the many programs of the Literacy Coalition.

The results of the Great Grown-Up Spelling Bee are in!

American Girl Fashion Show is licensed from American Girl Programs.

Copyright © 2013 American Girl. All rights reserved. All American Girl

marks are trademarks of American Girl.

Make plans to join the Literacy Coalition on Saturday, April 16 for the 4th Annual American Girl Fashion Show to see historical American Girls come to life. The American Girl Fashion Show is a fun-filled event for girls and their families, friends and favorite dolls. Celebrate the experience of being a girl, yesterday and today, through a colorful presentation of historical and contemporary fashions. More than 100 local girls will walk the runway in genuine American Girl clothing while carrying a matching doll from the American Girl collection. During each of the three shows, attendees will enjoy elegant refreshments, enter to win door prizes and discover how clothing has changed over the years to reflect history, culture and girls' individual styles. The event, which is co-chaired by Literacy Coalition board members Maggie Dickenson and Nancy Vera, raises funds for the Literacy Coalition's children’s education programs. For more details, visit LiteracyPBC.org. Thanks to our sponsors:

American Girl Fashion Show

Door prizes!

Refreshments!

Three shows!

One Book, One Community

The Light in the RuinsChosen as the 2016 Read Together Book

2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 2012 2014

2016

The 2016 Read Together Palm Beach County book was announced by Campaign Chairman Sharon Hill at a “Celebration of Reading” event at the Blume Literacy Center on December 2nd. The Light in the Ruins, by New York Times bestselling author Chris Bohjalian, is historical fiction set against an exquisitely rendered Italian countryside that unveils a breathtaking story of moral paradox, human frailty and the mysterious ways of the heart.

The book is at the center of our 8th biennial “one book, one community” campaign in which adults throughout the County read the same book at the

Read Together CommitteeRead Together Partners

Aurora ArthayCraig ClarkLaura CunninghamDavid FleisherLaurie GildanRobert GingrasMim HarrisonLisa Hathaway

Sharon HillLynn KalberEsther LaBovickTina MauraDeborah NixCarol RoseChristina Wood

same time. The community comes together at various events to discuss key themes in the book including a finale event and book signing with the author.

Visit LiteracyPBC.org to learn more about Read Together events and how you can get a copy of the book.

Children’s LiteracyVolunteers Changing Lives with LiteracyThe Literacy Coalition is in the midst of our second year of recruiting and training adult volunteers for our newest program, Building Better Readers, to help children in Palm Beach County improve their reading skills and enhance their chances for long-term academic success.

We have surpassed the milestone of 100 volunteers tutoring children in first and second grades in 23 elementary schools throughout the County and tutoring children in reading afterschool at our Blume Literacy Center.

Teachers, parents and tutors are seeing the results of improved reading and increased confidence in the students. The experience is equally rewarding for the tutors. A couple of volunteers have shared why they volunteer:

Until the end of third grade, children are “learning to read”. Beginning in fourth grade, they “read to learn” as students use their reading skills to master other subject areas. Children who fail to develop good reading skills at a young age rarely “catch up” as they get older. According to many studies, including the national Campaign for Grade Level Reading, 74% of students who fail to read proficiently by the end of third grade falter in the later grades and often drop out before earning a high school diploma. In Palm Beach County, 46% of third grade students read below grade level.

The Literacy Coalition’s Building Better Readers program, in partnership with the School District of Palm Beach County and made possible by support from community donors, is in support of our efforts with the national Campaign for Grade Level Reading to get all children ready to read on grade level by the end of third grade.

Why I Volunteer:“I am loving the kids I work with. Their teacher said she sees a great deal of improvement with the three students I work with! She told me they look forward to my sessions each week. I truly feel I am making a difference in their reading skills.” – Maria B.

“Thank you for giving me this wonderful opportunity to impact a child’s life. After 33 years of teaching it was wonderful to be back in a classroom and to have the joy of working with students. The three boys I’m working with are eager to have another adult dote on them with praise and build reading confidence!” – Judy H.

Would you like to volunteer as a tutor? Contact the Literacy Coalition of Palm Beach County to learn more.

Children’s Literacy

from our partner

• Make reading with your children a part of your daily routine, even for just a few minutes.

• Talk about the pictures. You do not have to read the book to tell a story.

• Let your child turn the pages.• Show your child the cover page. Explain what the

story is about.• Run your finger along the words as you read them.• Silly sounds, especially animal sounds, are fun to

make.• Choose books about events in your child’s life such

as starting preschool, going to the dentist, getting a new pet or moving to a new home.

• Make the story come alive. Create voices for the story characters.

• Ask questions about the story. What do you think will happen next? What is this?

• Let your child ask questions about the story. Talk about familiar activities and objects.

• Let your child retell the story.• Visit your local library often.

Reach Out and Read estimates that fewer than half of the young children in the U.S. are read to daily. The Literacy Coalition of Palm Beach County distributes nearly 55,000 books each year to 35 local clinics in support of Reach Out and Read in effort to educate families about the importance of early literacy and school readiness skills. Trusted pediatricians “prescribe” reading at each well-child visit from 6 months through 5 years of age. Most children see their pediatrician at least 10 times during this period. Reach Out and Read explicitly ties reading aloud to later school success and this strategy supports the aspiration that parents have for their children. For more reading tips and literacy resources, or to find out how you can support our program visit LiteracyPBC.org.

Reading Aloud = Success in SchoolReading aloud in the early years exposes a child to story and print knowledge as well as rare words and ideas not often found in day-to-day conversations or screen time. Reading aloud also gives a child the opportunity to practice listening, which is a crucial skill for kindergarten and beyond. Reading aloud to children, the age-old report, Becoming a Nation of Readers, indicates is “the single most important activity for building the knowledge required for eventual success in reading.”

To develop lifelong learning and love of reading skills, our Budding Readers program staff has been reading aloud weekly in interactive one-to-one sessions with 380 children each year. As a result, more than 94 percent of the children last year demonstrated comprehension in early literacy skills needed for future success in school.

Vanzandra Pompeo from partner site, Opportunity, Inc., shared a success story with us. She says, “After the Budding Readers program, Noonchee has gone from a child who had no words to express herself to one who now speaks in sentences; from being a non-participant in literacy activities presented in class to one actively engaged by making comments about a book’s story and illustrations.”

The Literacy Coalition is proud to be in our 10th year of providing the Budding Readers program to our community. Through the program, in the last decade we have helped more than 3,000 children develop early literacy skills.

Books Build Better BrainsREADING TIPS

When every child is read aloud to for 15 minutes every day from birth, more children will be ready to learn when they enter kindergarten, more children will have the literacy skills needed to succeed in school, and more children will be prepared for a productive and meaningful life after school. The Literacy Coalition is proud to be a partner of the Read Aloud 15 MINUTES National Campaign.

Blume Literacy Centeron the Brenda & C.P. Medore Campus

3651 Quantum Blvd. Boynton Beach, FL 33426

(561) 279-9103www.LiteracyPBC.org

RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

NONPROFIT ORG.U.S. Postage

PAIDWest Palm Beach, FL

Permit No. 2217

January 6Volunteer TrainingLiteracy Coalition9:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.

February 6Loop the Lake for LiteracyPort Mayaca6:00 a.m.

February 24 Pink Shirt DayPalm Beach County

March 10 Love of Literacy LuncheonKravis Center for the Performing Arts11:30 a.m.

April 16 American Girl Fashion ShowBoca Raton10:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m. and4:00 p.m.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR FOR 2016 LITERACY EVENTS

DONATEYour tax-deductible donation

will provide literacy services to adults, children and families who are working to achieve a better life by improving their literacy skills. For example, a gift of:

• $50 can provide 10 books for a child in poverty.

• $500 can provide a graduation coach to at-risk high school

students for a month. • $5,000 can provide literacy

classes for a family for a year.

BOOK DRIVESeveral programs at the

Literacy Coalition have a need for new and gently used books for preschool and elementary school age children. Start a

book drive today!

VOLUNTEERWould you like to help children

improve their reading skills? Become a trained volunteer tutor

with the Literacy Coalition of Palm Beach County. Volunteers

must be at least 18 years old and able to commit to tutor

two sessions per week for 90 minutes a session. No experience

is required. Training will be provided by the Literacy Coalition

of Palm Beach County.

Give the gift of literacy