BECOMING A CITIZEN

The youth at the Juvenile Justice Center will celebrate Black History Month with Sarah Washington O’Neal Rush. Sarah is the great-granddaughter of Booker T. Washington

Tuesday, February 10th and Wednesday, February 11th

“Tell them that the sacrifice was not in vain. Tell them that by way of shop, the field, the skilled hand, habits of thrift and economy, by way of industrial school and college, we are coming. We are crawling up, working up, yea, bursting up. Often through oppression, unjust discrimination, and prejudice, but through them we are coming up, and with proper habits, intelligence, and property, there is no power on earth that can permanently stay our progress.” – Booker T. Washington – From acceptance speech upon receiving honorary master’s degree from Harvard University in 1896.

Rush only learned the significance of her family history as an adult. Attaining this information helped to dramatically change her life. Today, through speeches, writing, discussions, book readings, and interviews, she is on a crusade to help others change their lives, and discover their own extraordinary legacies. To demonstrate to her audiences that they can achieve anything, she shares her story of growing up in Oakland as an “at-risk” youth. She often parallels her story with her great-grandfather’s story of rising above slavery to become a famous educator, the founder of Tuskegee University, and the first African-American invited to dine in the White House. Today Rush is an author, and she holds a master’s degree in professional psychology.

A man who overcame near-impossible odds himself, Booker T. Washington is best remembered for helping black Americans rise up from the economic slavery that held them down long after they were legally free citizens. “I have learned that success is to be measured not so much by the position that one has reached in life as by the obstacles which he has had to overcome while trying to succeed.” – Booker T. Washington

http://www.btwendreamcenter.com/index.html

http://www.nps.gov/archive/bowa/btwbio.html

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TELL A FRIEND

Monday, February 2, 2009 by LKong

Do you know a friend who can use extra help with basic reading, writing, and spelling?

Does your friend want to get a job, but has difficulty completing the job application?

Do they need help studying for the driver’s license exam?

Do they want to read to their kids or help them with their homework?

Or do they want to learn basic computer skills while learning how to read and spell better?

The Alameda County Library offers free tutoring to help your friend read and write better. A New Student Class and individual tutoring are available now.

Don’t wait. Call us today at (510) 745-1480 to sign up for free tutoring. Tell a Friend!

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Winter – Spring 2009 Reading Clubs

Tuesday, January 27, 2009 by LKong

Winter-Spring 2009 Reading Clubs

January 17 – May 9

Practice your English conversation, reading and writing skills, public speaking and learn about American culture and experience in an informal small group setting.

Reading Club participants must register before attending any groups at the branch libraries. Call Rachel to sign-up at (510) 745-1480.

All Reading Clubs are free of charge.

Dublin Library

200 Civic Plaza

Patrice’s Reading Club

Thurs. 6-8 PM

Feb 12 – May 7

Fremont Main Library & Administration Blg.

2400/2450 Stevenson Blvd

Mariannes’ Reading Club

Mondays, 9 -11 AM

Jan. 26 – May 4

Marisa’s Reading Club

Tues. 10 AM -12 PM

Jan. 21 – May 5

Susan’s Reading Club

Wed. 10 AM – 12 PM

Jan. 21 – May 6

Pat’s Reading Club

Wed. 6-8 PM

Jan. 21 – May 6

Kathleen’s Reading Club

Thurs. 10 – 12 PM

Jan. 22 – May 7

Newark Library

6300 Civic Terrace Ave.

Linda’s Reading Club

Thurs. 7 – 8:30 PM

Jan. 17 – May 9

Union City Library

34007 Alvarado Niles

Pam’s Reading Club

Sat. 10 – 12 PM

Jan. 31 – May 9

Call Today to sign-up at (510) 745-1480.

All Reading Clubs are free of charge.

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WEConnect: Information for Families

Tuesday, January 27, 2009 by LKong

WEConnect

http://www.weconnect.net/tips.html

The WEConnect program is a California State program to provide information to those families that may be eligible for a number of tax, education or other programs. The project is headed up by Maria Shriver, wife of the Governor, with major funding provided by corporate sponsorship.

Ms. Shriver has asked California libraries to provide the web link to the WEConnect site. Promotional materials are available. The website is available in English and Spanish. Please take a look at the site so you can assist our members if they should ask you about this site.

Programs listed at WEConnect:

Earned Income Tax Credit

Child Tax Credit

Golden State Advantage Card

California Alterate Energency Rates (CARE)

California LifeLine Telephone Service

California Low Cost Auto Insurance

I can afford college

Scholarshare

Employment Development Department

Career Technical Education (through community colleges)

For More Information:

Maricela Rodriguez : maricela@weconnect.net

Margaret Lyons : margaret@weconnect.net

Erin Moos : erin@weconnect.net

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Dolores Huerta, Civil Rights Leader at Juvenile Hall

Monday, September 15, 2008 by LKong

Thursday, September 18th

8:15-10:00 Dolores Huerta Civil Rights Leader Unit 7, Unit 9/Multipurpose Room

10:30-12:15 Dolores Huerta Civil Rights Leader Unit 4/Multipurpose Room

We are honored to once again have Dolores Huerta -Civil Rights leader and co-founder of the United Farm Workers (with Cesar E. Chavez) - here to speak to our youth.

Dolores is mother to 11 children, grandmother to 14 and great-grandmother of 5. She has been arrested 22 times for peaceful union activities, and her work in protesting police brutality changed the laws in SF.

Last year after her visit youth in the MAX unit were so inspired that books on Gandhi became a hot topic. Here are a few comments from the youth from last year:

Thank you for coming here to Juvenile Hall to see all of us. I’m White and I’m Mexican, and you taught me a lot about my cultures. I’m so honored to have been able to meet such a special person. I’m thankful for all the things you did and for all your hard work. I still can’t believe I was able to meet you! You’re a very sweet lady, and a great person. Thank you so much!! VIVA! Bye, Sincerely, Jake

I soaked up a lot of wisdom and found out about information I never knew like how we are all from Africa. I will carrie it with me on my life journying when I get out. ~Donte

Si se puede! Yes I can! You are a powerful, wonderful Latina woman! I appreciate everything you’ve done for families and just the whole society! Thank you! ~ Alexis

I think about my country in a whole different way. I highly respect you for your courage to stand up for the farmworkers. ~Tayara

Before you came I was a little on the down side, but you started telling us about how back a while ago all the things that weren’t true. I appreciate you a lot. ~Natay

I am truly grateful that you were one of the people who helped make my future brighter. I honor you, and I appreciate you. Thank you for shedding light on the youth of the future. You have 1000% of my support! ~Arillian

I want to thank you for the delicious fresh picked strawberries! ~Kenyon

www.cesarchavezfoundation.org

www.doloreshuerta.org

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New Reading, Writing and Spelling classes

Thursday, September 4, 2008 by LKong

Fall 2008 Basic Adult Reading, Writing and Spelling classes & the New Student Class

From September 15 to December 19

Basic Adult participants must register before attending any classes at the branch libraries. Call Rachel to sign-up at (510) 745-1480.

All Basic Adult classes are free of charge.

Fremont County Library Administration Blg.

2450 Stevenson Blvd

(Far right of the building and around the corner)

New Student Class

Introduction to phonics, reading and reading comprehension, writing and spelling, and peer tutoring.

Thursdays, 6-8 PM

Sept. 18 – Dec. 4

Amy Prevedel, teacher

Writing and Spelling Class

Enjoy learning about pre-writing, and writing strategies to improve your writing and spelling skills. Write better.

Wed. 6-8 PM

Sept. 16 – Dec. 2

Teacher to be announced

Union City Library

34007 Alvarado Niles

Reading Class

Learn to read better and comprehend what you read. This class follows the New Student Class to help you practice what you’ve learn.

Thurs. 6-8 PM

Sept. 17 – Dec. 3

Amy Prevedel, teacher

Call Today to sign-up for an orientation at (510) 745-1480. After the orientation, learners will meet with a teacher and then be registered for a basic new student class or one-on-one tutoring.

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It’s Time to Sign-up for Fall Reading Clubs

Thursday, September 4, 2008 by LKong

Fall 2008 Reading Clubs

September 15 – December 19

Reading Club participants must register before attending any groups at the branch libraries. Call Rachel to sign-up at (510) 745-1480.

All Reading Clubs are free of charge.

Dublin Library

200 Civic Plaza

Patrice’s Reading Club

Thurs. 6-8 PM

Sept. 11 – Dec. 11

Fremont Main Library & Administration Blg.

2400/2450 Stevenson Blvd

Mariannes’ Reading Club

Mondays, 9-11 AM

Sept. 15 – Dec. 8

Susan’s Reading Club

Wed. 10 – 12 PM

Sept. 17 – Dec. 10

Pat’s Reading Club

Wed. 6-8 PM

Sept. 24 – Dec. 17

Kathleen’s Reading Club

Thurs. 10 – 12 PM

Sept. 18 – Dec. 11

Newark Library

6300 Civic Terrace Ave.

Linda’s Reading Club

Thurs. 7 – 8:30 PM

Sept. 18 – Dec. 11

Union City Library

34007 Alvarado Niles

Irene’s Reading Club

Tues. 10 – 12 PM

Sept. 16 – Dec. 9

Call Today to sign-up at (510) 745-1480. Groups are starting soon.

All Reading Clubs are free of charge. Additional Reading Clubs will begin in October.

Posted in Events, Reading Club Tutors, Student Information, Tutor Information | Tagged reading clubs write to read second language learners | Leave a Comment »

2008 International Literacy Day

Thursday, August 21, 2008 by LKong

JOIN US FOR AN EVENING TO CELEBRATE LITERACY WORLDWIDE

Come Share a Favorite Passage from Book You Love

Wednesday, September 10th

6:30 – 8 PM

Fukaya Room A

Fremont Main Library

2400 Stevenson Blvd. Fremont

The general public is welcomed to share a short passage from a favorite book. Write to Read students and tutors, and library staff will inspire with their stories. Come enjoy an evening of inspiration and support for International Literacy Day. An overview of the Write to Read Adult Literacy Program will be presented. This is a free event.

UNESCO established September 8th as International Literacy Day to promote literacy worldwide. It is estimated that 875 million of the world’s adults do not know how to read or write (nearly two-thirds are women), and that more than 110 million children lack access to education.

For more information call (510) 745-1480

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Reading Club Prospective Tutor training

Thursday, August 21, 2008 by LKong

Monday, August 25th
6-9 PM

Prospective tutors will be training to facilitate Reading Clubs at several Alameda County Library branches.

Reading Clubs are popular small reading groups for second language learners to practice conversation, increase their vocabulary, feel comfortable with public speaking and meet new friends while enjoying a good book.

Prospective tutors need to complete a new tutor application to attend the training. Luis Kong and Joy Tsou will be facilitating.

For more information call Rachel at (510) 745-1480.