Book Worm Angels

Book Worm Angels

Location: 17 Savage Street, Charleston, SC 29401

Contact: Clarence (Ren) Manning, clarence_manning@bellsouth.net

Website: http://www.bookwormangels.org/

OVERVIEW 

Description of Group/Organization and programs offered which relate to improving literacy:

Book Worm Angels mission is to foster recreational reading habits among pre-K - 8th grade students in high-poverty schools where reading scores are substantially below grade, and thereby to improve reading skills and scores. To this end, it engages middle and high schools, churches, businesses and other organizations to conduct book drives to collect gently used recreational reading children's books, which it donates to area public elementary and middle schools to create in-classroom lending libraries of 7-10 books per student. The BWA program is voluntary, but students are encouraged to select books to take home and read, and parents/caregivers are urged to turn off the tv and read with their children for 20-30 minutes per night.

Area(s) of Charleston County served:

Since rolling out its activities in the fall of 2011, Book Worm Angels has collected and donated over 15,000 books to Mary Ford Elementary School, James Simons Elementary School and Harleyville-Ridgeville Elementary School and plans to expand its book donations and reading program in other Charleston County elementary and middle schools as books become available.

SCHOOL PROGRAMS

Are services offered in any schools?  Yes

Currently, our program serves Mary Ford Elementary, James Simons Elementary and Harleyville-Ridgeville Elementary Schools; other Charleston County schools will be offered the BWA program as books become available.

The program is not constrained by hours or time of day.
BWA donates 7-10 books per student to create in-classroom lending libraries from which students are encouraged to select books to take home and read with their parents/caregivers. The schools urge parents/caregivers to turn off the TV and read with their children for 20-30 minutes per night.

OUTREACH AND IN-HOUSE PROGRAMS

Do services include any non-school outreach to the community?   Yes     

Description of Outreach initiatives:

High-poverty and at-risk elementary and middle schools are offered books to create in-classroom libraries from which students can select books to take home and read outside the normal school curriculum.  Parents/caregivers are urged to turn off the ty and read with their children for 20-30 minutes every night. Important side benefits are greater involvement of parents/caregivers in their children's education and improved literacy for themselves as well by reading with their children.

Population(s) directly served by organization:
Elementary School
Middle School
Parents/Caregivers

ASSESSMENT

Annual written teacher surveys

PARTNERSHIPS

Interested in establishing a partnership with another organization/group?         Yes   

First, we need thousands of outgrown gently-used children's recreational reading books; accordingly, we need on-going access to large, relatively affluent schools, churches, businesses and other organizations who are willing to conduct book drives for us. Secondly, we solicit ideas and collaboration with other organizations/groups in designing ways to encourage greater parent/caregiver and student interaction in home reading activities. Finally, we need a permanent location to store books collected during book drives pending donation to schools; a 15' x 15' storage room or warehouse area would be sufficient.   

VOLUNTEERS

Are there volunteer opportunities?         Yes.

From time to time and when needed, Book Worm Angels uses volunteers to contact schools, churches, businesses and other organizations to encourage them to conduct book drives; to pick up, triage and store the collected books; to contact principals at schools to offer book donations and the BWA program; to deliver books to schools accepting the BWA program; and to conduct a brief training orientation for school teachers. In general, book drives are held in the spring and books are donated to schools at the beginning of the school year in the fall. Preparatory work precedes such activities by several months.

Volunteer coordinator’s contact information :
Clarence (Ren) Manning, 404.202.6039, clarence_manning@bellsouth.net

Charleston Volunteers for Literacy

Charleston Volunteers for Literacy

Location: 635 Rutledge Ave. Suite 201, Charleston, SC 29403

Contact: Kecia Greenho, kmgreenho@aol.com, 508-561-3537
Website: www.charlestonliteracy.org

OVERVIEW

Description of Group/Organization and programs offered which relate to improving literacy:
We have 200 volunteers who tutor second grade students at six Title One Schools. There are no fees.

Area(s) of Charleston County served:

Mitchell Elementary School and Sanders-Clyde Elementary on the Charleston Peninsula.
Mary Ford, Burns, James Simons and Memminger Elementary schools in North Charleston

SCHOOL PROGRAMS

Are services offered in any schools?        Yes.
Charleston Volunteers for Literacy's Book buddies program serves Mary Ford, James Simons, Burns, Memminger, Mitchell and Sanders-Clyde elementary schools.

Book Buddies is a pullout program during the day serving second grade students. Times vary according to school. A site coordinator, who is a trained specialist in reading, tests students before tutoring begins to determine needs and then writes individualized lesson plans for each student's lesson. Students are tutored twice a week by the same tutor all year. Progress is monitored by testing at mid-year and at the end of the year. The program covers phonics, reading, vocabulary and comprehension activities each day.

OUTREACH AND IN-HOUSE PROGRAMS

Do services include any non-school outreach to the community?   No.

Population(s) directly served by organization:

Elementary School

ASSESSMENT

We use the MAP test data and CCSD compares our data to other students in Title One Schools.
We also use the PALS test to determine students individual strengths and weaknesses.

PARTNERSHIPS

Interested in establishing a partnership with another organization/group?         Yes               
We are always interested in working with other programs to share information.

VOLUNTEERS

Are there volunteer opportunities?         Yes.
Each volunteer tutor works with a child either once or twice a week. They work one-on-one with the same child each week. They arrive 15 minutes before the children come for tutoring to familiarize themselves with the lesson plan and activities provided by the Site Coordinator. They then tutor for 45 minutes. When the children leave they write comments about the session for the Site Coordinator. Tutors begin tutoring the first week in October. They are trained in September. They finish tutoring after the first week in May.

Volunteer coordinator’s contact information :

Kecia Greenho, kmgreenho@aol.com, 508-561-3537

Begin With Books

Begin With Books

Location: PO Box 183, Charleston, SC, 29402-183
Contact: Patty Bennett-Uffelman, beginwithbooks@gmail.com
Website: http://beginwithbooks.org/

OVERVIEW

Description of Group/Organization and programs offered which relate to improving literacy:
Local affiliate of Dolly Parton's Imagination Library enrolls pre-school children in FREE-BOOKS-BY-MAIL program. Enrolled children receive one free, developmentally appropriate book in the mail every month from birth until their fifth birthday.

Area(s) of Charleston County served:

To be eligible, children must live in one of the currently licensed zip codes: 29426, 29429, 29438, 29449, 29455-57, 29458, 29470, and 29487.

SCHOOL PROGRAMS

Are services offered in any schools?        Yes.
Children (age birth-4) who live in eligible zip codes may be enrolled at the following Head Start programs: Blaney Head Start, Frierson Head Start,  Mt. Zion Head Start,  Rising Star at St. James-Santee.
Registration forms to enroll younger siblings (birth through age 4) of students may be obtained from the media specialist at any elementary school in the designated zip codes (29426, 29429, 29438, 29449, 29455-57, 29458, 29470, 29487).

OUTREACH AND IN-HOUSE PROGRAMS

Do services include any non-school outreach to the community?   YES.
Parents of children (age birth-4) who live in eligible zip codes can pick up enrollment forms at the Edisto, Hollywood, Johns Island, and McClellanville branches of Charleston County Public Library.

Population(s) directly served by organization:

0 to 2 years old
3 to 5 years old

PARTNERSHIPS

Interested in establishing a partnership with another organization/group?         Yes.   
YES. We will partner with any organization that will help us to reach families with young children in our eligible zip codes.   

VOLUNTEERS

Are there volunteer opportunities?         Yes.
Volunteer opportunities for registration outreach are available on a flexible schedule. Volunteers manage registration tables at public events (school open houses; PTA meetings; parades; festivals) and at popular retail stores.

Volunteer coordinator’s contact information :

Janet Segal, 843-573-0694, j.e.segal@knology.net

Project HERO

Project HERO

Location: 4720 Jenkins Ave., North Charleston, SC, 29406
Contact: Katy Simison, katy_simison@charleston.k12.sc.us
Website: http://www.ccsdschools.com/Schools/InnovationZone/hero.php
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/AmericorpsProjectHERO

OVERVIEW

Description of Group/Organization and programs offered which relate to improving literacy:
Project Helping Enrich Reading Opportunities (HERO), a tutoring program funded by AmeriCorps State and which currently serves over 300 second grade students at nine different Innovation Zone Learning Community elementary schools. Project HERO is designed to enhance the literacy skills of CCSD second graders. Each AmeriCorps Member is stationed at one of nine Innovation Zone elementary schools for 20 hours per week Monday through Friday. In addition to providing tutoring services, Members assist the school with capacity-building activities including volunteer recruitment. The program will culminate with a literacy camp in June.

Area(s) of Charleston County served:

Charleston County School District - 2nd graders in the Innovation Zone Learning Community (IZLC)

SCHOOL PROGRAMS

Are services offered in any schools?        Yes
* Burns Elementary * Chicora School of Communications * Dunston Primary * Hursey Elementary * James Simons Elementary * Mary Ford Elementary * Midland Park Primary * North Charleston Elementary * Pinehurst Elementary * Sanders-Clyde Elementary

OUTREACH AND IN-HOUSE PROGRAMS

Do services include any non-school outreach to the community?   Yes    
Literacy Camp starting in June

Population(s) directly served by organization:

Elementary School

PARTNERSHIPS

Interested in establishing a partnership with another organization/group?         Yes   
Yes. We are working to close the achievement gap in 2nd grade students, specifically in literacy.      

VOLUNTEERS

Are there volunteer opportunities?         Yes
Volunteers are needed for: * PASS Testing in the Spring * School Literacy/Reading Carnivals * Book Buddies

Volunteer coordinator’s contact information :

Sandra Hoke, 843-745-7150, sandra_hoke@charleston.k12.sc.us

Trident United Way

Trident United Way

Location: Trident United Way, PO Box 63305, North Charleston, SC 29445

Contact: Eileen Rossler, erossler@tuw.org
Website: www.tuw.org/LiveUnited

OVERVIEW

Description of Group/Organization and programs offered which relate to improving literacy:
Child Care Resource and Referral (CCR+R) of the Lowcountry provides technical assistance and training for childcare providers to attain licensure, improve ABC quality levels and pursue accrediation, including early literacy promotion training.
 LINKS to Success provides targeted academic, behavioral and familial supports for children in 11 local high poverty schools - including literacy services for both children and family members.

Area(s) of Charleston County served:

CCR+R - all zip codes
LINKS - 7 Charleston county schools
Other TUW services - including Education, Financial Stabilty and Health initiatives - full county.

SCHOOL PROGRAMS

Are services offered in any schools?        Yes
Mary Ford, Memminger, Frierson, Haut Gap, Sanders Clyde, Goodwin, North Charleston Elementary
School day and after school hours - generally 7 - 5:30.
Site coordination and an array of linking partner services within a community learning center model

OUTREACH AND IN-HOUSE PROGRAMS

Do services include any non-school outreach to the community?   Yes

Description of Outreach initiatives:

CCR+R - generally 8:30 am - 5 with flexibility for evening and weekend training programs (see earlier description)

Population(s) directly served by organization:

0 to 2 years old
3 to 5 years old
Elementary School
Middle School
Parents/Caregivers
Child care providers

ASSESSMENT

Assessment tools used to track progress of the students you serve?
Many - PPVT. AAPI, DIBELS, MAP, PASS, DAP...

PARTNERSHIPS

Interested in establishing a partnership with another organization/group?         Yes               

We are involved in many community partnerships and coalitions and are always happy to participate in joint efforts to enhance Education, Financial Stability and Health in our community.

VOLUNTEERS

Are there volunteer opportunities?        
Varies by linking partner service in LINKS. Lunch buddies; after school tutors; academic, interest based and employment readiness mentors (after school, weekends), Day of Caring teams et al

Volunteer coordinator’s contact information :

Sally Burnett, 740- 9000, 211volunteercoordinator@tuw.org

Office of Enrichment Programs for English Language Learners and Families

Office of Enrichment Programs for English Language Learners and Families

Department of Federal Programs

Charleston County School District

Location: 75 Calhoun Street ,Charleston ,SC,29401
Contact: Celina Anthony, celina_anthony@charleston.k12.sc.us
Website: http://www.ccsdschools.com/Accountability/FederalPrograms/EnglishLanguageLearner/index.php

OVERVIEW

Description of Group/Organization and programs offered which relate to improving literacy:

All programs are free

Migrant Education Program
Summer Education Program - Children ages 5 - 12 receive instruction at a school Monday through Thursday
Home Literacy - Migrant families including children receive instruction on English, math, parenting skills, and health.
Out of School Youth - Young Migrant people ages 13 - 21 receive instruction on English, math, life skills, and health.
Abrazos Program
 Hispanic mothers receive instruction on English, math, parenting skills, life skills, and health. 3 year old children receive instruction on school readiness skills. Childcare is provided to younger siblings.
English Classes
English classes for Parents and Enrichment classes for ELLs - offered in the afternoons and evenings.
Spanish for Educators
Designed for educators who have had little or no previous Spanish instruction and who want to become inter-culturally competent at a basic communication level with Hispanic parents and students.
ESOL Summer Program
English language learners continue learning English using an interdisciplinary approach where their learning experience is relevant and stimulating by having some field trips.

Area(s) of Charleston County served:

Migrant Education Program
Summer Education Program - Offered at either Frierson or E.B. Ellington Elementary to migrant children living on Johns Island, Wadmalaw Island, Edisto Island, and Hollywood.
Home Literacy - offered to migrant families and children living on Johns Island, Wadmalaw Island, Edisto Island, and Hollywood.
Out of School Youth - offered to migrant young people ages 13-21 living on Johns Island, Wadmalaw Island, Edisto Island, and Hollywood.
Abrazos Program
Offered at Midland Park Primary
 English Classes for Parents and Enrichment classes for ELLs
Offered at some Title I schools. Locations vary each semester.
Spanish for Educators
Offered at at a couple of Charleston County School District schools for semester. Locations vary each semester.
ESOL Summer Program
Locations vary from year to year.

SCHOOL PROGRAMS

Are services offered in any schools? Yes
All programs are free.
Migrant Education Program
8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Monday - Thursdays (E. B. Ellington)
Home Literacy-  (5:00 - 9:00 p.m.)- Migrant camps located on Johns Island, Wadmalaw Island, Edisto Island, and Hollywood.
Out of School Youth (5:00 - 9:00 p.m.)- Migrant camps located on Johns Island, Wadmalaw Island, Edisto Island, and Hollywood.
Abrazos Program
(8:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m)- Tuesday - Friday- Midland Park Primary
English Classes for Parents and Enrichment classes for ELLs
Offered in the afternoons and evenings. Times vary depending upon the school schedule.
Spanish for Educators
Offered in the afternoons and evenings. Times vary depending upon the school schedule.
ESOL Summer Program
(8:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.) Two weeks after school year is over. Location varies.

OUTREACH AND IN-HOUSE PROGRAMS

Do services include any non-school outreach to the community?  Yes.            

Description of Outreach initiatives:
Working in partnership with MUSC and other agencies, our office shares the information in Spanish with the Hispanic families to attend free health events, literacy fairs, etc.

Population(s) directly served by organization:
0 to 2 years old
3 to 5 years old
Elementary School
Middle School
High School
Parents/Caregivers

ASSESSMENT

Parents taking English classes are given a pre-post test to assess their interpersonal communication skills using language and pictures from everyday life.

PARTNERSHIPS

Interested  in establishing a partnership with another organization/group?       Yes               
I am definitely interested in establishing a partnership with another organization. There is a need to get funding to offer more summer enrichment programs for Hispanic families and children.

VOLUNTEERS

Are there volunteer opportunities? 
College of Charleston students taking a service learning class volunteer at the Abrazos program. They are scheduled to volunteer some mornings to work at the center and some afternoons in the office with me.
Volunteers assist adult ESOL teacher teaching Hispanic mothers English particularly focusing on pronunciation, assisting the early childhood teachers by working with children on different activities. At the office, volunteers call Hispanic families about the offerings of English classes and other free literacy and health events in the community.

Volunteer coordinator’s contact information :       

Celina Anthony, (843) 937-6394, celina_anthony@charleston.k12.sc.us