Literacy and Community Action San Rafael, California

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Literacy and Community Action San Rafael,
California
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MissionThe mission of the Programa Comunitario
de Alfabetización( Spanish Literacy Community
Program) is to provide literacy and basic
education skills to non-reader Spanish-speaking
adults. The ultimate goal is that participants
will be able to join standard ESL programs,
prepare for citizenship classes, enhance their
ability to help their children in school as well
as obtain better jobs.
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Implementing the mission El Programa Comunitario
de Alfabetización declares its commitment to the
community by way of using the following
strategiesProviding basic literacy skills to
non-readers Spanish speaking adults through
individualized training as assessed.Developing
partnership between community volunteers and
students.Supporting volunteer participation by
providing training to enhance their skills as
facilitators and mentors.Evaluating the process
and progress of student participants.Designin
g and implementing a public awareness campaign
about literacy throughout the community of San
Rafael.
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Description of ProgramThe program, a
grassroots initiative supported by the Marin
Institute and El Centro Cultural Mexicano, seeks
to provide non-readers Spanish speaking adults
and young adults with basic literacy skills in
their native language as the key step for civic
engagement. El Programa Comunitario de
Alfabetización offers ongoing personal and
instructional support to participants. Volunteer
tutors are trained to teach and are matched with
participants who seek basic reading and writing
skills. The program also raises awareness of the
issues affecting the Latino community and
enhances their political capacity to be present
and active in the struggle to reclaim their voice
and history.
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Personal Experience Civic engagement Women
empowerment
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Strengths Community based program Run by
volunteers Collaboration/Partnership among
different organizations aimed to improve
language skills at all levels.
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Next Steps Develop a hands-on curriculum to
help participants to pass the California
drivers license test. Hire a grant writer to
help us to secure a more institutionalized
funding. Develop process to discuss alcohol
prevention strategies Develop links and means
of collaboration with the different organizations
that teach English as a Second Language as well
as basic education to the adult population.