Story #1

She pounded and pounded on the door at Jubilee.  I had been preparing lesson plans for the upcoming weeks.  I was in back of the center and almost did not hear the knocking.  Who could be banging on the door with such intensity?  I opened the door and my face lit up with a smile and greeting. "I am so...so glad to see you."  It had been several months since I had seen Demetria Bookman, Jubilee GED student of eight Mary's_Pictures_001.JPGmonths.  I have been so proud of Demetria.  She had near perfect attendance in class; she was always ready to learn.  She was thorough in completing all her homework assignments; she me if she had to go to work instead of attending class.  During her time as a GED student, she would share with me her family history which reflected many of the challenges our Jubilee families experience everyday.  When she told me that her work schedule had changed and that she would not be able to continue, I quickly lent her the GED books that she needed to review, gave her our Jubilee phone number, and told her that she could accomplish her goal of finishing her education.  On September 12, 2008, she brought me her certificate of High School achievement.  I am very proud of her and what she was able to accomplish.


                                                                                                                

Gabriella Rodriguez(left) with Demetria

Story #2 

On September 15th,  Felix Saldana shared with me that on Wednesday September 17th, he was sworn in as a U.S. citizen.  He was able to realize his goal because he had access to a computer at Jubilee where he could study the questions included on the citizenship test.  He smiled when he told me he had a perfect score on his exam.  He has joined a special group of new citizens who live in the Jubilee neighborhood: Martha Ruiz, Guadalupe Salas, and Trini Zamora.

Demetria and Felix show us the importance of family literacy programming at the Jubilee Center.  Jubilee lights hope in the hearts of families who want a better life for themselves and for their children.

This past year 150 adults have participated in English as a Second Language(ESL), pre-GED and GED classes, and basic computer classes.  One hundred families and more than two hundred children were actively engaged in family literacy programs including The Bookshelf Project, Storybook Walk, and tutoring on Saturdays with Hockaday and St. Mark's students

                                                                                                                                      a St. Marks tutor with Saturday ESL student at Jubilee

This summer 65 Saint Michael and All Angels youths provided 2,600 contact hours of reading, writing, and computer time with Jubilee youngsters.  Children, if not read to or given the opportunity to read during the summer, lose about three months reading achievement.  For the Jubilee children who struggle in school or who are less motivated to read in the summer, this is crucial to future academic achievement.  As a literacy partner, the MLK Public Library again provided a variety of incentives including bookmarks, certificates of participation and a new book for the amount of hours read. We concluded the summer session with a distribution of 1,000 used books.

Mary's_Pictures_030.JPGAlso Jubilee, as a part of Every Child Ready to Read Program through the Dallas Public Library, held a bilingual workshop with families.  The workshop highlighted the roles of parents, primary caregivers and early literacy experiences for children ages 0 to 5.  Parents shared their experiences and learned new strategies for engaging their child with books.

Currently, registration is underway for ESL, pre-GED/GED and computer literacy classes.  We've updated our curriculum for ESL classes, now using The Oxford Picture Dictionary. 

The date for "It's All about Reading" Bookshelf Project is Saturday, November 8, 2008.  We will be painting 100 bookshelves for pre-school children in the neighborhood.  This year the children who have bookshelves will be making a fleece pillow for their "reading area" at home.  With the help of Saint Michael and All Angles and the 6th grade Disciples Class, we will also continue the Jubilee tradition of distributing new books to every child at the event.

Needless to say it is an exciting time at Jubilee for students and staff!  We are thrilled to see the plans for our new Jubilee Community Center that will include wireless capability in every classroom and much needed space for classes.  Imagine the hope that Jubilee will bring to more families in the neighborhood as we pursue our mission in serving as a catalyst for community renewal in education and community development.  I can't wait!

 

Mary Hernandez, Literacy Director