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USCIS TRAINING FOR LCUP VOLUNTEERS

Volunteers from the Literacy Council of Upper Pinellas attended a training seminar for adult educators, directors, volunteers, and representatives from immigrant-serving organizations.? The seminar was offered by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, a division of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, on September 13, 2018, in Tampa.

Instruction was designed to enhance the skills needed to teach U.S. history, civics, and the naturalization process to immigrant students and to administer a comprehensive adult citizenship education program.

Standing, from left: Sandra Reyes, Daise Castillo, Claudia Gonzalez, Vicky Obando, Gaye Staskiel, Pat Bauer; Seated: Eileen Smith, John Troesser

Back to School Event and Health Fair at North Greenwood Community Center

Soha Awad, ?LCUP tutor (on the right in picture below), greeted students and parents at North Greenwood Community Center’s Back to School Event and Health Fair.? She had big mouth cat and shark pictures to color and crayons to send home.?

Several volunteers attended the event on August 4 to talk about ESL classes offered by the Literacy Council of Upper Pinellas. We now have 14 English classes at 9 locations and individual tutors.? Therefore, more volunteers are always needed.

 

Conversation Classes Resume at New Clearwater East Community Library

On April 30, English conversation classes resumed in their new meeting space at Clearwater East Community Library at St. Petersburg College.? The library is located at 2465 Drew Street in Clearwater, and classes meet on Mondays from 6 pm to 7:30 pm.

Classes had been on hiatus since mid-February, so it was a warm reunion for students and tutors and a welcoming event for newcomers.? The class is led by tutors, Jan Demers (back left) and Robin Pitchford (front right).? Tutors are welcome to visit any class.? We have many students who are eager to work, one-on-one or in a small group, with an LCUP English tutor.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The InterCultural Advocacy Institute’s 8th Annual Luncheon on Friday, May 11, 2018, was attended by LCUP members Claudia Gonzalez, Pat Bauer and Adriana Lefebvre.

LCUP Celebrates 30 Years of Service to Upper Pinellas

Tutor Carol Kennedy speaks at LCUP’s 30th Anniversary celebration

On February 17, LCUP celebrated its 30th Anniversary of Changing Lives Through Literacy at the Dunedin Public Library.? The well-attended event included the organization’s annual meeting with speakers?Pat Bauer, President, Library Director Phyllis Gorshe,? Jan Demers and Carol Kennedy.? Both Jan and Carol are members of the LCUP Board of Directors, tutors and Conversation Class leaders and spoke about their experiences in literacy.? Learner Dorotea Chavez spoke about the difference learning English has made in her life.

City Commissioner Deborah Kynes presented a proclamation from the City of Dunedin in recognition of the Literacy Council of Upper Pinellas’ 30th Anniversary.? Read the proclamation here.

The following history of LCUP was presented by President Pat Bauer:

? ? ???????????? A History of the Literacy Council of Upper Pinellas, 1988- 2018

The Literacy Council of Upper Pinellas grew out of increased need for adult literacy services in north county due to population growth and demographic changes in the 1980s. The council was formed by a group of dedicated citizens who were originally affiliated with the St. Petersburg Literacy Council and saw the need to incorporate the north county program. Our articles of incorporation are dated February 2, 1988.

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