literacy council gulf coast annual report 2014-15

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FULFILLING OUR MISSION UNLOCKS THE ABILITY TO LEARN The Literacy Council Gulf Coast mission is “to assist adults and children to acquire the English literacy skills

and education necessary to improve their quality of life and enhance the entire community.”

Literacy Council Gulf Coast (LCGC) was formed in 1989 and this year marks our 26th anniversary of

providing free instruction for adults in reading and writing, ESL through the Carol DeJoy Moms and Tots®

Family Literacy and Kids+ programs, GED preparation tutoring, citizenship classes (eight students

becoming citizens this year!), financial literacy, and technology literacy for disadvantaged young people.

As of 2014, LCGC has grown to become the largest nonprofit literacy agency in the United States according

to ProLiteracy® and serves students in three of the five counties in Southwest Florida. We are expanding

our services into Lee, Hendry, and Collier Counties to meet the growing need.

In 2014-2015, we served over 3,800 students throughout Southwest Florida. Ninety nine percent of our

students surveyed indicated that they reached their personal literacy goals and 100% of our Moms and

Tots® graduates have started school average or above average compared to their classmates. The Carol

DeJoy Moms & Tots® Family Literacy Program has grown from four moms at one location eight years ago

to over 1,100 mothers and their children during the 2014-15 school year. As a proud Lee County United

Way partner agency, the Council recruits, trains, and assists volunteers who teach learners English literacy.

LCGC provides parent-centered literacy services with a team of only four full-time and eight part-time

staff.

During the 2011-2012 school year, the Council formed a partnership with the Lee County School District

to offer English language classes to parents of students at Title I schools. This program, named Kids+

Lifelong Learning, grew tremendously from one school during the 2011-2012 school year to seventeen.

Last school year, 788 individuals (645 adults and 143 children) learned English.

The need in our region is great, but we are making strides in serving the communities that make up Southwest Florida. We can’t do it alone, and we thank you for your continued support. Sincerely Yours,

Susan Acuna, President & CEO

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OUR MISSION The mission of Literacy Council Gulf Coast is “to assist

adults and children to acquire the English literacy skills

and education necessary to improve their quality of life

and enhance the entire community.”

OUR VISION Our vision is to be recognized as one of the nation’s

premier organizations for literacy services.

OUR BELIEFS We believe in the power of literacy to improve the lives

of our students, their families, communities and society.

We believe in providing our students with the highest

quality of literacy education and related services where

respect, integrity, inquiry, creativity and diversity

contribute to individual achievement and the

transformation of lives and communities.

We believe in the power of tutors and our partners to

make a difference in the lives of our students, helping

them to reach their full potential.

WE BELIEVE THAT LITERACY

IS THE KEY THAT UNLOCKS AN INDIVIDUAL’S

ABILITY TO LEARN.

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UNLOCKING MINDS TO EMPOWER FAMILIES AND BUILD COMMUNITIES

The population served by LCGC's programs is primarily disadvantaged immigrant families living in low-income households. The majority of program participants are of Hispanic origin. Their lack of English language and literacy skills places them at a disadvantage in gaining meaningful employment and succeeding in school. The inability to speak English places a burden on schools, employers, and the community service providers.

Literacy Council Gulf Coast helps students in order that they can improve their quality of life for themselves and their children. When students meet their goals and are able to effectively communicate to others or enroll in higher education, the entire community benefits. These students become more educated, attain citizenship and degrees, become employed, and participate and contribute to the community. This creates a healthier, happier, and safer environment for our community to grow and prosper.

The Program for the International Assessment of Adult Literacy

examined 24 industrialized countries and found:

The U.S. mean literacy score was below the international average, 16th out of 24.

Only 12 percent of U.S. adults performed on the highest level of the literacy scale.

Only 9 percent of U.S. adults performed at the highest level on the numeracy scale.

Only 8 percent of U.S. adults under 35 and 6 percent overall performed at the highest level on the problem-solving/technology scale.

More notable is a trend that began in 1990. Immigrants who entered

the U.S. during that decade were younger and less educated — one-

third lacked the equivalent of a U.S. high school diploma — than in all

the decades preceding that year until 1890.

At the state level, almost 20 percent of Floridians are foreign-born,

according to the U.S. Census. Even more important is that 27 percent

of Floridians age 5 and older speak a language other than English in the

Just 35 percent of

individuals with below

basic skills are employed

full time, while 64 percent

in the proficient category

have full-time jobs.

The salaries of adults with

below-basic literacy skills

are, on average, $28,000

less than salaries of

adults with proficient

skills.

Single mothers who lack a

high school degree are

much more likely to be on

welfare than women who

have a high school

degree.

Women with low literacy

are twice as likely as men

to be in the lowest

earnings category of

$300 a week or less.

Minimum wage workers

increased wages by 18 to

25 percent within 18

months of exiting an

adult education program.

(Source: ProLiteracy®)

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household. As recently as last decade, 20 percent of

Floridians 16 years and older lacked basic prose literacy

skills, according to the National Center for Education

Statistics.

In Hendry County, a 42 percent of people 16 years and older

lacked basic prose literacy skills, according to the same study

by the National Center for Education, while Collier County

was at 17 percent. That means almost half of Hendry

residents old enough to work need to improve their English,

while 1 in 5 Collier residents of the same age need the same.

In Hendry, only 64 percent of the residents have a high

school diploma and less than 10 percent have a bachelor’s

degree. Average per capita income in Hendry County is

$14,000 per year. In Collier, 85 percent have a high school

diploma, 31 percent a bachelor’s degree, and average per

capita income sits at almost $37,000 annually.

Lee County, where our headquarters is located, has a median household income for 2015 of roughly $48,500 and 12 percent of the population lives below the poverty level. We estimate that between 13-20 percent of Lee County residents of total county population of 673,800 speak a language other than English within their homes. That means up to 134,760 adults and children cannot read, write, speak or comprehend English at a level that allows them to fully participate in their community. Without the ability to effectively communicate in English outside their homes, people that are illiterate or under-literate in the English language face significant restrictions in living their life to its fullest potential. We have the distinct privilege to serve our neighbors, members of the working poor. While 90 percent of our client demographic is Hispanic, non-native English speakers, we serve parents and families from sixty two countries throughout the world – in South and Central America, Haiti, France, Germany, Albania, Romania, Spain, Lithuania, Ukraine, Russia, Turkey, Slovakia, Greece, China, Viet Nam, South Korea, Thailand, and others.

LITERACY STATS

High school dropouts earn an average of $19,000 annually, or $7,000 less than high school graduates Adults with no high school diploma earn about half of what adults with an associate degree earn, and only 39 percent of what adults with a bachelor’s degree earn. Unemployment is four times higher (8 percent) among high school dropouts than high school graduates (2 percent). Six of the 10 fastest growing occupations, according to the U.S. Department of Labor, require an associate or bachelor’s degree. (Source: Florida Literacy Coalition)

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HISTORY & SUCESSES LITERACY COUNCIL GULF COAST WAS FORMED IN 1989. 2015 MARKS OUR 26TH ANNIVERSARY.

LITERACY EDUCATIONAL SERVICES INCLUDE ENGLISH LANGUAGE, CONVERSATION, READING, WRITING,

PRONUNCIATION, COMPUTER CLASSES, GED READINESS STUDY AND U.S. CITIZENSHIP CLASSES; THE

CAROL DEJOY MOMS AND TOTS® FAMILY LITERACY PROGRAM, COLLEGE COMMUNITY

COLLABORATION (3C), KIDS+ LIFELONG LEARNING AT SEVENTEEN TITLE I SCHOOLS, AND WORKSITE

LITERACY AT THIRTEEN COMMUNITIES IN LEE COUNTY AND NORTH NAPLES.

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LITERACY COUNCIL GULF COAST EMPLOYS FOUR FULL-TIME EMPLOYEES AND EIGHT PART-TIME

EMPLOYEES.

THE CURRENT OPERATING BUDGET IS ROUGHLY $650,000. TUTORS AND VOLUNTEERS CONTRIBUTE

TIME THAT IS VALUED AT OVER $2 MILLION. AROUND A THIRD OF OUR FUNDING COMES FROM UNITED

WAY, ONE THIRD FROM INDIVIDUAL DONATIONS AND A FINAL THIRD FROM GRANTS. THE LITERACY

COUNCIL RECEIVES NO GOVERNMENT FUNDING.

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS CURRENTLY INCLUDES FIFTEEN MEMBERS.

OUR ORGANIZATION INCLUDES THE BOARD AND FIVE STANDING COMMITTEES: EXECUTIVE (OFFICERS),

FINANCE, DEVELOPMENT, PROGRAM, AND TECHNOLOGY. COMMITTEES ARE COMPRISED OF BOARD

MEMBERS, STAFF, VOLUNTEERS, AND TUTORS.

THE BOARD HAS A LONG TERM STRATEGIC PLAN AND YEARLY OBJECTIVES.

SERVING AS A UNITED WAY RESOURCE HOUSE HOST AGENCY IN BONITA SPRINGS, WE PARTNER WITH

OVER TWENTY-FIVE AGENCIES. SOME PARTNERS INCLUDE GOODWILL, HOPE HOSPICE, ACT, BONITA

ASSISTANCE, HEALTHY START, CAFÉ OF LIFE, CATHOLIC CHARITIES, FAMILY HEALTH CENTERS, RED

CROSS, SCHOOL DISTRICT’S EARLY HEAD START, FGCU, FLORIDA SOUTHWESTERN STATE COLLEGE,

LOCAL HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS, AREA CHURCHES AND CITY FACILITIES, LIBRARIES AND AREA BANKS.

WE PARTNER WITH MANY BUSINESSES THROUGHOUT THE AREA BY OFFERING CLASSES OR TUTORING FOR

THEIR EMPLOYEES; WE PARTNER FOR SPECIAL EVENTS AND PROVIDE PARTNER COMPANIES VISIBILITY ON

OUR WEBSITE.

“I WORKED WITH A LAWYER IN VENEZUELA WHO SOUGHT AND RECEIVED ASYLUM IN THE

UNITED STATES. WE WORKED ON IMPROVING HIS ENGLISH SO THAT HE COULD TAKE HIS

REAL ESTATE LICENSE TEST. HE RECEIVED HIS LICENSE, AND JUST THIS SPRING HE

GRADUATED AS A PARALEGAL FROM EDISON STATE.”

– COMMENT FROM ONE OF OUR OVER 800 TUTORS.

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STUDENT SUCCESS IS THE HIGH NOTE IN OUR HARMONY

26 TOTS (FOUR YEAR OLDS) GRADUATED FROM BONITA SPRINGS AND FORT MYERS CAROL DEJOY

MOMS & TOTS® FAMILY LITERACY PROGRAM.

THE COUNCIL PARTNERED WITH THE NEWS-PRESS FOR MAKE A DIFFERENCE DAY BY READING TO

CHILDREN AT AREA LIBRARIES.

SUSAN ACUNA RECEIVED THE "ETHICS IN LEADERSHIP" AWARD FROM THE BONITA SPRINGS ROTARY

CLUB

LITERACY COUNCIL HONORED BY FLORIDA LITERACY COALITION WITH 2015 EXCELLENCE IN

EDUCATION AWARD AT THE COALITION’S ANNUAL CONFERENCE IN ORLANDO.

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NEW WORKFORCE LITERACY COLLABORATION FORMED BETWEEN THE SANIBEL COMMUNITY UNITED

CHURCH OF CHRIST AND TEMPLE BAT YAM AND LCGC. EIGHTEEN TUTORS WERE TRAINED TO

VOLUNTEER AT SANIBEL WORKSITES TO HELP EMPLOYEES IMPROVE THEIR ENGLISH LANGUAGE SKILLS.

UNITED WAY INCREASED OUR ANNUAL ALLOCATION FROM $168,000 TO $173,000 FOR LEE COUNTY

PROGRAMS FOR 2015. HENDRY COUNTY ALLOCATIONS MEETINGS ARE SCHEDULED FOR LATE SUMMER

2015.

KIDS+ LIFELONG LEARNING PROGRAM EXPANDED THROUGH A PARTNERSHIP WITH COLLIER COUNTY

SCHOOL DISTRICT TO OFFER KIDS+ LIFELONG LEARNING AT NAPLES PARK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

LITERACY COUNCIL AWARDED A TOTAL OF $50,000 FROM THE SOUTHWEST FLORIDA COMMUNITY

FOUNDATION: $30,000 FROM THE WOMEN’S LEGACY FUND; $10,000 FOR A CULINARY PROJECT

COLLABORATION WITH GOODWILL IN PINE MANOR; $10,000 FROM THE BONITA FUND FOR TABLETS

FOR WOMEN AND CHILDREN.

MICHAEL SCULLION, CPA AND KIMBERLY MCDOWELL, PH.D. JOIN THE LITERACY COUNCIL BOARD OF

DIRECTORS.

ANNUAL WINTER IN-SERVICE TUTOR TRAINING HELD AT COUNCIL OFFICES.

RAISED $10,000 FROM THE PASSION FOR FASHION LUNCHEON HELD AT COLONIAL COUNTRY CLUB.

THE FASHION SHOW FEATURED NEW SPRING FASHIONS FROM JENNIFER’S OF FORT MYERS.

12TH ANNUAL LITERACY LEGACY BREAKFAST FUNDRAISER HELD AT THE HYATT REGENCY COCONUT

POINT RESORT IN MARCH OF 2015. OVER $180,000 IN DONATIONS RAISED.

ANNUAL TUTOR/VOLUNTEER RECOGNITION LUNCHEON HELD AT THE COUNCIL IN APRIL TO HONOR

VOLUNTEERS’ SERVICE TO THE ORGANIZATION AND ITS STUDENTS.

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DEMOGRAPHIC INFORMATION On July 14, 2015, an analysis was done for the 2014-15 student base. The Council’s 3,868 students were

measured. The following demographics were collected to paint a picture of who our students are in regard

to gender, age, English level upon enrollment, country of birth, and level of education.

Most of our students are young adults and adults with children. The results are as follows:

Gender: Males constitute 45% and females 55% of student base

Student age:

a. Children: 13%

b. Adults (18-59): 79%

c. Seniors (60+): 6%

d. Not collected: 2%

The Council assessed the English level upon enrollment of 1,488 students. Ninety six percent of our

students are Levels One and Two. Contributing reasons include: outlying areas, open enrollment, or

students not all entering at the same time during the year.

Level One – 61% (Beginning Literacy to Low Beginner)

Level Two – 35% (Beginner to Low Intermediate)

Level Three – 2% (Intermediate to Low Advanced)

Level Four – 2% (Advanced to High Advanced)

902

518

34 34

Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Level 4

# Students

Level Assessed

English Level upon Enrollment

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Sixty two countries were represented this fiscal year. 2,661 students’ country of origin was captured.

1,207 did not give the information. 90% are Spanish or indigenous dialect speakers. Of the 2,661 reporting

country, the top five countries represented at LCGC are:

1. Mexico – 34%

2. Guatemala – 27%

3. Cuba – 7%

4. Colombia – 5%

5. Honduras – 4%

6. The rest are at 2% or less

1,823 students (47%) shared their level of education. The results are depicted in the graph below:

3% - no education

13% - grades 1-4

29% - grades 5-8

17% - grades 9-12

18% - High School Diploma

1% - GED

2% - some college

1% - college or professional degree (AA)

5% - BA/BS degree

23% - Masters or above

62% have less than a high school education

45% have less than an 8th grade education

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TUTORS MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THE LIVES OF OTHERS

Students Tutors

FY 2000 141 133

FY 2001 277 146

FY 2002 511 304

FY 2003 776 337

FY 2004 962 393

FY 2005 1,252 419

FY 2006 1,379 490

FY 2007 1,549 594

FY 2008 1,752 563

FY 2009 1,797 549

FY 2010 1,957 543

FY 2011 2,554 599

FY 2012 3,246 830

FY 2013 3,301 816

FY 2014 4,072 751

FY 2015 3,868 819

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EQUIPPING THE REGIONAL WORKFORCE: WORKSITE LITERACY PROGRAMS WORK

1 West Bay Club Worksite Program was on hold during the 2014-2015 school year due to new community

management; Pelican’s Nest is a seasonal program and is on hold.

13 Programs1 Tutors Students

Bentley Village

Collier’s Reserve

Cypress Cove

Fiddlesticks

FGCU

Fruitscapes

Imperial Golf Course

Pelican Sound

Shadow Wood

Spring Run

The Terraces

9

15

5

16

2

2

3

9

37

8

15

9

30

5

18

23

6

3

8

41

5

15

Total 121 163

“Our Community Learning Center at the Beacon owes much of its success

to you and Literacy Council!”

― Betsy Haesemeyer, Director of the Beacon of Hope

SKILLS GAP LITERACY WORKSITE | SOFT SKILLS | EMPLOYMENT

CULINARY | FINANCIAL | HEALTH | CULTURAL

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GED CLASSES PREPARE A BETTER EDUCATED WORFORCE

We offer GED classes to prepare students for the next step in obtaining a higher level of education. The

objective of each class is to prepare students to pass the GED® Test in a timely manner. Students should

be able to complete each subject area and pass a test within six months. Students must take one subject

test before moving on to the next subject.

Students take a pre-test to determine in which subject area they need help. Some students need every

subject, and others are ready to take a subject test. We encourage students to take the practice test for

any subject they score well on during the pre-test. The practice test is designed to show whether or not

a student is likely to pass the real test. If a student scores well on the practice test, we encourage them

to take the real subject test as soon as they can.

Students need to attend at least 80% of classes to succeed in passing the GED Test in a timely manner,

which is why we encourage students to attend class on a regular basis to maximize their opportunity to

pass each subject efficiently.

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OUR MODEL PROGRAMS MAKE A DIFFERENCE BY SHOWING A BETTER WAY FOR OTHERS TO FOLLOW The Carol De Joy Moms and Tots® Family Literacy program is an established program model that continues

to demonstrate success and meet its expected goals and outcomes. We use evaluative measurement tools

to qualify and quantify these outcomes through pre- and post-tests, point in time surveys, personal

success stories, and longitudinal studies. We measure the community impact through requests for

academic achievement information from the school districts about the success of our program graduates.

The women enrolled in our program face poverty, low employment rates, and in many cases, domestic

abuse. In 2014, Abuse Counseling and Treatment (ACT) reported that 5,558 women sought help from

domestic violence; 1,178 of these were women of Hispanic/Latino origin (over 20%). When a woman and

her family is caught in a cycle of abuse, poverty, and isolation, she is unable to take care of herself or her

family. Education enables underserved women to take control of their lives, creating better opportunities

for themselves and their families.

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Learning and improving literacy provides the skills to

continue growing personally, gain meaningful

employment, and take an active role in their

children’s education. Moms & Tots® is more than a

literacy program, it is a community. LCGC staff and

tutors create relationships with these women, giving

them a safe environment in which to learn.

According to program surveys, 100% of the children

who graduate from our Moms and Tots® Family

Literacy Program began school performing at, or

above, average in Kindergarten. Non-native English

speaking children who have already gained

communication skills are better prepared to stay on

task and learn with their peers. Those who have

parents that are actively involved with their

education are more likely to have higher grades,

better attendance, and graduate with their degree.

Our moms participate in language assessments

through LCGC to determine their advancement levels.

Some have since attained their GED and continued to

take higher education courses. They also showed an

increased level of interest and participation in their

child’s education. As an ongoing program, these

evaluation methods will continue to be used to

determine the success and needs of the program and

its participants.

The overall goal of our family literacy programs,

including our Moms & Tots®, is to prepare young

children to begin school speaking English and ready to

learn, strengthen the family bond, and assist mothers

improve their English skills as well as practical skills.

The Moms and Tots® Family

Literacy Program is currently

offered at locations and

neighborhoods throughout

Bonita Springs, San Carlos Park,

Fort Myers and Lehigh Acres.

This program has grown from

four moms at one location

eleven years ago to 1160

mothers and their children in

2014-15.

These moms and kids from birth

to age four receive English

classes in a Parent And Child

Together (PACT) learning

environment.

The goal of this program is to

prepare young children to begin

school speaking English,

strengthen the family bond, and

assist mothers improve their

English skills.

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Active Group Classes2 Teachers Students

16 Moms & Tots® Family Literacy Classes: Old 41 (4 BS) San Carlos Park (1) Fort Myers (6) Lehigh (5)

60 volunteers | 4 PT

paid

1,160 mothers and children

104 Group Classes 291 volunteers 2,708 adults

MOMS & TOTS® FINANCIAL LITERACY TUTORING Financial literacy classes teach moms the essentials of financial education as they learn English. Our family

literacy tutoring introduces moms to project-based learning with real lives examples. They participate in

discussions on topics such as bank services, the importance of saving, smart money management, the use

of credit, and investment. They will have gained a better understanding of the essentials of financial

literacy.

2 Other individual and small group classes are held throughout Lee County and North Naples.

Christopher attended the Moms and Tots program since he was about six months old with his mother, Martina, and older sister, Naomi. His family came approximately two days a week for two hours each time. Even though he was still two years old (his birth date was a few days after the cut off for Early Head Start), the school district accepted him into the program because his sister was in the Head Start Program for four year olds and they knew his mother too. His mother is from Guatemala. She attended school for four years. His father use to be a student at the Literacy Council too. This is the Questionnaire Form Christopher's teacher completed for the Literacy Council.

1. Current grade level: Early Head Start

2. Results of the child's initial admission interview: On the Ages and Stages Questionnaire, he scored high on all areas.

3. Strengths exhibited when the child began school: Since the beginning of the school year, Christopher's always been eager to learn. When he began school he knew most colors and some letters. He enjoyed playing with puzzles and cars.

4. Deficiencies noted when the child first began: He was very shy and had a hard time joining in group activities.

5. Suggestions for English language pre-reading skills which The Moms and Tots Program can focus on to better prepare pre-school and kindergarten children to be more successful when entering the public school system: Teacher left blank.

6. Any other comments: Christopher is a very bright boy. He actively participates in class discussions and enjoys being read to.

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NINTH ANNUAL MOMS & TOTS® GRADUATION AND STUDENT ASSESSMENTS On Friday, July 25, 2014 the Literacy Council Gulf Coast® held its third graduation for six Fort Myers tots

at Tice United Methodist Church. Five of the six tots and their families attended the ceremony. The

graduation in Bonita Springs was the following Friday, August 1, 2014 for twenty-six graduates and many

proud family members. Seventeen tots participated in the ninth annual Moms & Tots® Family Literacy

Program graduation ceremony.

All twenty-six graduates were from Lee County this year. Two children enrolled in Kindergarten. Five

children qualified for the Head Start program at Bonita Springs Elementary and two qualified and entered

the Early Head Start program for three year olds at Bonita Elementary. Several children have moved. Three

children did not attend any VPK program because their parents decided to have him/her stay at home

instead. All other students entered a VPK program either in the public school system or a state sponsored

VPK program at a private day care facility.

An evaluation questionnaire for the classroom teacher to fill out in regard to the academic progress of

each student was hand delivered to three public elementary schools in Fort Myers. Five public

elementary schools in the Bonita Springs area, and three private VPK daycare centers also received hand

delivered evaluation questionnaires for the classroom teacher to fill out. The chart following represents

data that shows the progression of Moms & Tots students in our program from Fall 2012-Spring 2015.

FIGURE 1 MOMS & TOTS - ALL CLASSES – AVERAGE

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KIDS+ LIFELONG LEARNING: REACHING PARENTS AND KIDS

Due to the success that Moms and Tots™ has had on women and their children in our community, Literacy Council Gulf Coast developed an innovative program called Kids+. Overall, we had programs in seventeen area Title I Schools. The collaboration continues to expand. The program served a total of 788 individuals (645 adults and 143 children) learned English. With their improved English, parents have become more confident. As a result, they are more involved with their children’s academic success; they are even are more able to help their children with homework. Dolly Cruz, the parent education coordinator at Harns Marsh Elementary, spoke at the United Way Allocations Team site visit and remarked that as a result of these English classes, parents have become more involved with their children's school and have attended more parent-teacher conferences. When families learn to read and write, homes are more stable, neighborhoods are friendlier, workplaces are safer, and communities are more productive. Indeed, the positive community response and demonstrated educational success for both children and parents that these programs have generated suggest the opportunity for a more comprehensive Parent Literacy Partnership between the Lee County School District and LCGC. The Kids + initiative, which is representative of all LCGC efforts, is grounded in a belief that the “total family” is the key to a child's success.

3C: COLLEGE COMMUNITY COLLABORATION A large percentage of enrolled students at FSW represent first generation college students. They are the

children of immigrants who are striving to acquire a solid education in the hopes of improving their lives

and those of their families. Many are considered to be “non-traditional” students; older students who

already have jobs, families, and established lives. Every effort should be made to assist these students

and help them gain the knowledge that they so ardently seek.

UNDER THIS PARTNERSHIP, THE LEE COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT IS SHARING REPORT CARDS AND

ADDITIONAL STUDENT TESTING INFORMATION WITH THE COUNCIL TO TRACK STUDENT

PERFORMANCE THROUGH THEIR ACADEMIC CAREERS.

SEVENTEEN TITLE I KIDS+ SCHOOLS

Bonita Elementary School Harns Marsh Elementary School Head Start JCE Head Start ECC Island Coast High School Lehigh Acres Elementary School LaBelle Elementary School Mirror Lakes Elementary School Naples Park Elementary School Oak Hammock Middle School Orange River Elementary School Orangewood Elementary School Sunshine Elementary School Tice Elementary School Villas Elementary School Varsity Lakes Middle School S. Ft. Myers High School

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Our partnership with Florida SouthWestern State College (formerly Edison State College) utilizes LCGC

volunteer tutors and resources to assist students in need of remedial education. Whether there exists a

language barrier in the classroom or poor basic literacy skills which inhibit the student’s ability to study

and engage in their work, LCGC is determined to help. According to a report from the State Impact

study, nearly 40% of first year college students are in need of remedial education.

STUDENT SURVEYS SHOW INDIVIDUALIZED LEARNING GAINS According to the 2014-15 Student Survey, a majority are meeting goals

to:

To get a good/better job.

To have a conversation in English

To get a GED.

To read and write in English

To become a U.S. citizen (in 2014, 8 students became citizens).

Over 99% of students are satisfied or very satisfied with the school, and over 99% of students say studying

English has helped them perform better.

Felix was 18 when he came to the Florida from Guatemala. He had graduated from high school in his small, rural town and didn’t

think college was an option for him. No one in his family had attended college and it seemed a daunting prospect. While attending

classes at the Literacy Council Gulf Coast to improve his English, he was encouraged to enroll at Florida Southwestern State College

which has open enrollment for anyone with a high school diploma. FSW welcomed him and provided academic support in his weak

areas — English and Math. Just a few weeks into the semester Felix realized he needed additional help. Wasn’t there someone who

could review his homework, confirm his understanding of his assignments, help him understand the academic English, and generally

give him confidence that success was possible?

Nancy retired after teaching elementary school in New York for 28 years. She was ready to leave the school system where testing

had become burdensome and the students seemed less than eager to learn. She gave away all her teaching material, sold her house,

and moved to Florida to enjoy the sunshine. After a few months of golf and bridge, she realized she missed teaching. She wasn’t

ready to take on a class again, but wasn’t there someone who needed her help as a tutor, mentor and coach?

Enter the Matchmaker. FSW recognized they had many non-traditional students like Felix and they devoted significant resources to

their academic success. But they realized there was a need for more one-on-one support. The Literacy Council recognized it had

many former educators and experienced tutors who were looking for a way to contribute to the community and find the personal

satisfaction of helping a student succeed.

- Diane Hart, Founding 3C Program Coordinator

FROM OUR STUDENTS:

“I like how patient the teachers are

with us, and how they teach us.”

“I like the atmosphere of the classes.”

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THE VALUE OF A VOLUNTEER’S WORK: PRICELESS Thanks to the hard work and dedication

of our volunteer tutors and staff, our

students are indeed improving their

abilities as a result of study at the Literacy

Council. Their life challenges create

many obstacles to learning, but for those

who are regular attendees, the results

are dramatic and their lives are truly improved. We are thrilled with the growth our students have

exhibited.

Independent Sector, in 2015, calculates the value of volunteer work at $23.07 per hour (Based on average

hourly, nonsupervisory wages + 12% fringe benefits). Volunteers gave approximately 92,115 hours to

students and the Council in FY 2014-15.

(BUT WE THINK YOU’LL AGREE WITH OUR MOMS & TOTS. IT’S PRICELESS.)

LITERACY BENEFITS EVERYONE: OUR

ECONOMY, OUR SCHOOLS, AND OUR

SOCIETY

IN OUR ECONOMY:

ADULTS IMPROVE JOB PERFORMANCE

ADULTS IMPROVE JOB STATUS

ADULTS MAKE INFORMED PURCHASES

OUR COMMUNITY BENEFITS FROM A MORE

EDUCATED WORKFORCE

Schools

Society

Economy

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IN OUR SCHOOLS:

ADULTS PARTICIPATE IN THEIR CHILDREN’S EDUCATION

CHILDREN START SCHOOL READY TO LEARN

THE SCHOOL DISTRICT SAVES TIME AND MONEY WHEN CHILDREN ARRIVE WITH NECESSARY

SKILLS

IN SOCIETY:

ADULTS LEARN TO ASSIMILATE TO THE AMERICAN CULTURE. OUR COMMUNITY BENEFITS

WHEN FAMILIES BECOME PART OF OUR CULTURAL FABRIC.

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LEAVING A LEGACY AND CHANGING LIVES INDIVIDUAL | FOUNDATION | CORPORATE | FAMILY | LEGACY SOCIETY

LEGACY SOCIETY MEMBERS Platinum $10,000 and Above Seven (.2%)

Gold $5,000 to $9,999 Sixteen (.4%)

Silver $1,000 to $4,999 Sixty six (1.8%)

LITERACY SUPPORTERS Lifelong Learning Partners $500 to $999 111 (3.2%)

Writing Partners $201 to $499 163 (4.4%)

Reading Partners $1 to $200 3332 (90%)

FOUNDATIONS AND GRANTSSWFL Community Foundation Marilyn Ball Memorial Fund Rotary Club of Bonita Springs Fort Myers Rotary Target Florida Literacy Coalition, Inc. Bonita Springs Lions Club Junior League of Fort Myers S. Fort Myers Rotary Publix Supermarkets Charities St. Monica's Episcopal Church St Michaels Episcopal - Sanibel

St. Mary's Episcopal Church Copperleaf Golf Club Foundation Sanibel Congregational Church Gannett Foundation Wal-Mart Foundation SunTrust Foundation Irwin Family Foundation Federico Foundation Cruise Industry Foundation Cape Coral Kiwanis Foundation Enterprise Holdings Foundation State Farm Companies Foundation

literacy council gulf coast annual report 2014-15

Documents