As we get reacy for Lunch for Literacy tomorrow, I am reminded just how relevant and personal this fight against illiteracy is. A literate population is always a critical first step to a healthy and prosperous community and now with our current economy, it rings more true than ever. Yes, Learning Lab prepares willing and eager people for our local workforce and helps these people get a job so they can be self sufficient. But the human impact is so much larger than that.
These are adults who want to improve their lives. They are not helpless or dumb. They are looking for something better and they look to Learning Lab as that path forward. They want to be able to read to their children before bed. They seek to be able to do simple things like pay bills correctly or accurately read the label on medications for their family. These people want to be able to help their kids with homework so the torch of illiteracy will not be passed down from generation to generation. Our mission is more than simply helping these people secure a job in a horrible economy. Together with your support, we can help them seek out a better life.
By donating to the Learning Lab (whether it is your time or your funds) you are guiding willing people to self sufficiency. And without the Learning Lab’s open doors, these people might not have any place to go for help. I am impressed by the passion of the people who support the Learning Lab and the wonderful things they do for our community and its people. If you are able, please consider donating and learning about more ways you can help.
See you tomorrow!
Jamee Cooper
Drake Cooper and Learning Lab Board of Directors
Learning Lab Blog
Lunch for Literacy - only one day away!!
Lunch for Literacy
A message from our Presenting Sponsor, Joel Hickman - President, KeyBank of Idaho
If you know me, you know I’m the proud parent of two great daughters. When my daughters were younger, one of the great pleasures was being able to read them bedtime stories, yet, the real truth was Marianne, my wife, was better at it than me.
Unfortunately, not every parent in our state is able to take part in what for many of us is a simple, yet essential, part of parenthood. That’s because 11% of Idaho residents lack basic literacy skills.
As an active member of our community, that statistic bothers me. As a parent who read to his children, that statistic saddens me. But now, as a parent of two grown daughters who are succeeding in life, it concerns me when I hear of children not getting the same opportunities to grow.
The Learning Lab is doing something about it. The Learning Lab is tackling adult, family and child illiteracy head on. Each year, over 300 students are enrolled in one of Learning Lab’s literacy classes. From GED preparation to providing workplace skills to preschool programs, Learning Lab is making a difference.
And, you can too. I’d like to invite you to join the Learning Lab and KeyBank at “Lunch For Literacy 2010” on February 5 at the Boise Centre. This annual event will raise much needed funds to support the Learning Lab’s programs in 2010. It’s a chance for you to stand with KeyBank and others in support of eradicating illiteracy in our community.
I hope to see you on Friday for the Lunch for Literacy!
A message from our Board President
You can't attend a Lunch for Literacy without being moved by the personal stories of the student speaker. It is always emotional, but ultimately inspiring to hear them speak. The difficulties that they overcome during their lives makes me feel grateful for the chances I have been given in my own life. Every year, I find that the experience bolsters my dedication to supporting the mission that the Learning Lab has to assist adults and families improve their lives.
The dramatic economic slowdown of the past two years has been difficult for all non-profits, including the Learning Lab. As a member of the Board, I have been impressed at how the staff of the Learning Lab have worked together to find ways to stretch precious dollars, while maintaining service levels in a time of unprecedented needs in the community. The teamwork and leadership it takes to accomplish this is remarkable. Ann Heilman and all the other wonderful people at Learning Lab never cease to amaze me.
We all have to make decisions about donating to causes, all urgent and worthy. I can't recommend enough to my friends and family that they find a way to attend the Lunch for Literacy or donate directly. You will never be disappointed!
Ron Harrell
President of the Board of Directors
Learning Lab
United Way Visit This Week
This week, we had our site visit by the United Way volunteers who help determine if or how much United Way funding our program gets. After we gave the group a tour of our classrooms, we had one of our students come speak. She was so nervous. I told her these volunteers are some of the nicest people around, and were really interested in what she has to say.
She came in the Board room, so anxious she kept her hands in her pockets of her hoodie the whole time. She talked about how she came here to work on her GED, because she was teased during high school, not only by the students, but a few teachers too. She has a little trouble with dyslexia, and really had a tough time at school. She ended up dropping out. She told the volunteers she decided she had to get her GED because she wanted a better future for her and her two little kids. She said, “I never thought I could do this.” Christi, our education director, asked her to tell the volunteers about passing her first GED test. She just smiled so big, when told them about passing her reading test. And she said, I really like coming to Learning Lab. I know more about how to teach my kids. She said she was so proud of her little girl, “she’s only 2 and a half and she can count to ten and knows her ABC song.”
Well, I am standing against the wall, and a big lump is in my throat. It isn’t cool for the director to cry at stuff like this. I swallowed hard, looked up so the tears wouldn’t come. Our student finished her comments in the same nervous way. She said thank you to all the people there.
Still gets to me. This sweet young mom thought she couldn’t learn. But she can, and she is. Thanks to everyone who helps Learning Lab, her teachers, her volunteer tutors, and every single person in our community that has decided to support our work.
Come meet some of our students and our staff at this year’s Lunch for Literacy on February 5th at the Boise Centre. We would love to see you there!
Ann Heilman, Executive Director
Volunteer Tutors Needed
Are you interested in making a very real, and important difference in someone's life?
Then join us for our Volunteer Orientation on October 13th!
Volunteer Tutors are at the center of our successful programs. Without them, we would not be able to enroll as many students or be able to provide our students with the personal time needed to ensure their success. If you are interested in becoming a volunteer tutor at Learning Lab, sign up for our Volunteer Orientation. During orientation, you will take a tour of one of our facilities, learn more about our programs, students, the responsibilities of our tutors, and ask questions. We will explain the time commitment involved with tutoring, and the training that will be provided. RSVP REQUIRED
So join us on October 13th!
When: October 13, 2009 from 5:30 - 7:30 pm
Where: Learning Lab's Boise Location - 4th floor of the Boise Public Library 715 S. Capitol Blvd.
Who: RSVP required - contact Monique at moniques@learninglabinc.org or 208-344-1335 x.130
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