Durham Literacy Center -

Teen Career Academy Placement Tests: July 25 and August 1.

2008-07-21T07:01:50Z

Sixteen to eighteen-year-olds interested in becoming a student at the Teen Career Academy, DLC's GED preparation program for out-of-school teens, should make plans to take a placement test on either Friday July 25 or Friday August 1. The test will begin at 2 PM downstairs at the Stanford L. Warren Library (1201 Fayetteville St) in Durham. The test will last approximately two hours. Please arrive on time. Late arrivals will be asked to come back for the next testing date. For more information about TCA, please call 919.323.6039 or 919.489.8383, ext 28.Fall classes begin on Monday, August 25.

For the Love of Literacy

2008-06-30T02:18:40Z

Durham Literacy Center would like to thank Durham residents, Theo and Rachael, for demonstrating a Love for Literacy! On July 5th, Theo and Rachael's wedding day, the happy couple chose to honor their love by asking their wedding guests to donate to1 of 5 Durham organizations, including the Durham Literacy Center! Thank you Theo and Rachael for thinking of DLC on your special day! We wish you a lifetime of literacy empowerment! We welcome anyone to follow in Theo and Rachael's footsteps and choose to donate for the love of literacy!

Book Drive for DLC

2008-06-11T03:48:22Z

Starting Friday, June 13, Waldenbooks in Northgate Mall will a hold a book drive for DLC, allowing customers to purchase books that will be donated directly to DLC. Customers will be able to select books from a list of those that would be most useful for DLC students. Thanks, Waldenbooks!

Work with DLC next year!

2008-05-30T02:03:51Z

Although we hate to say goodbye to Regina, Robin, and Steve, it's time to start looking for three new AmeriCorps Members to join us next year!DLC has three full-time, yearlong AmeriCorps positions available from Aug/Sept. 2008 – Aug. 2009 through SCALE (Student Coalition for Action in Literacy Education). This is a wonderful opportunity to work closely with Durham’s diverse cultures and to gain experience in nonprofit management as you learn more about running community-based education programs.
To apply, please send resume and cover letter to jobs@durhamliteracy.org. Please specify which program you’re interested in working with (see Job Descriptions for details).

ESOL Summer Classes

2008-05-28T06:45:21Z

In June, we'll continue to offer ESOL classes in the evenings at Lakewood Baptist Church (Monday - Thursday, 6:30-8:30pm). Classes begin on June 2 and end on June 26. We'll also offer a multilevel daytime class on Tuesday and Thursday mornings (10am-12pm), starting on Tues., June 10 and lasting through the summer. New students may enroll by attending the first class session.
For details, see Summer 2008 ESOL classes.

TCA Graduation

2008-05-21T06:09:15Z

The Teen Career Academy at the Durham Literacy Center will celebrate the many accomplishments of its talented 2007-2008 at a graduation and awards ceremony on Friday, May 30th. Open to the public, the ceremony will take place at the John Avery Boys and Girls Club (808 E. Pettigrew St. in Durham) from 6:30 – 8:00 p.m. A tuition-free program designed to help out-of-school youth aged 16-18 attain their North Carolina General Equivalency Diploma (GED) and/or improve basic educational and literacy skills, TCA helped nearly 40 students this past school year. The program will honor hardworking current students, dedicated tutors, and 10 GED graduates. The keynote speaker will be Durham native Josh Parker. For more information about graduation or the program in general, please contact Malcom Reed at malcom@durhamliteracy.org or 919-323-6039.

Education, Access, & Politics

2008-05-16T07:45:27Z

Dear friends - I've been wondering all week what to do about NC Community College System's decision not to admit undocumented students to degree programs (besides getting mad & discouraged).
Even though the literacy work we do is meant to empower people who are systematically dis-empowered, I'm constantly surprised at how tangled education and politics become for us. I've been reluctant to post politically-themed blog entries, knowing that DLC supporters may have a range of beliefs, but it becomes increasingly hard to separate our work from the climate that surrounds it.
I'm glad that NC has some wonderful advocacy organizations, like Adelante, who are
organizing responses to the community colleges' decision. Following their suggestions, I plan to write some letters in support of open access to public education in NC.Here's to thoughtful & creative approaches to education -

Spring Celebration - May 29!

2008-05-21T07:48:27Z

Please join us for the annual Spring Celebration on Thursday, May 29, 6-8pm at Lakewood Baptist Church! We'll celebrate the hard work of Adult Literacy and ESOL students and
tutors with a potluck - please bring your family and a dish to share!

We're Redesigning our Website!

2008-05-28T05:57:44Z

We're going to redesign our website, and we want your input!Please take 5 minutes to complete our web survey, letting us know how you use the site and suggesting how we might improve it.Thanks for visiting our site and supporting DLC.

2008 Teen Career Academy Graduation

2008-05-09T03:42:57Z

Please join us for the 2008 Teen Career Academy graduation ceremony. Let's celebrate the many accomplishments of our talented 2007-2008 class. Where: John Avery Boys & Girls Club, 808 E. Pettrigrew St. in Durham. When: Friday, May 30th, 6:30 - 8:15 PM. On this special evening, we will honor our GED graduates, our hardworking current students, and our dedicated tutors. The keynote speaker will be Durham native Josh Parker.

Symposium to Benefit DLC

2008-06-30T01:11:13Z

The 2008 John Hope Franklin Symposium & Gala honoring the scholarly contributions of living legends will be held June 26 and 27 at The Washington Duke Inn and Golf Club.
The focus of the 2008 symposium will be on the challenges facing Black and Hispanic Males in our society. At the request of Dr. John Hope Franklin, a portion of the proceeds from the symposium will go to support The Durham Literacy Center.
For additional information: http://diverseeducation.com/jhf/schedule.htmland http://www.dukenews.duke.edu/2008/06/jhf.html

DLC braves weather in Great Human Race

2008-04-16T03:10:31Z

Despite the driving rain and chilly temperature, DLC supporters walked, ran, and unicycled the Great Human Race's 5k course around downtown Durham on March 29. Volunteers, students, and staff worked together to raise more than $5,000, which, coupled with a matching grant of $5,000 from an anonymous donor, meant that we raised over $10,000 to support Durham residents who are learning to read, studying English, and working toward their GEDs. To top things off, one of DLC's competitive runners placed first overall in the race, breaking the course record! Thanks, everyone, for contributing to this effort and supporting our education initiatives.

Why study English? In pursuit of the American Dream…

2008-04-10T02:14:07Z

Why do our ESOL students need to learn English? In Spring 2008, as part of our ongoing effort to better meet students’ needs, we talked to 107 active students about their educational and life goals. Our students, like generations of immigrants before them, seek to “superarse” (improve themselves) by building new lives atop the cornerstones of American society: work, family, and education. Nearly 90% came to the U.S. from Central America to look for work or reunite with family members. While most (65%) are employed, they often hold seasonal jobs with low wages and low job security. Most students had limited access to education in their home countries -- 60% report only an elementary or middle school education – and hope their children will have better opportunities. Thus their top three goals are:

Wednesdays @ Francesca's

2008-03-31T01:50:51Z

Start:
Wed, 04/02/2008 - 6:00pm

What: Adult Literacy tutors and staff gather to discuss ideas, questions, concerns, triumphs related to teaching... Where: Francesca's coffee shop on Ninth St.When: Weds Apr 4, 6-7:30pmWho: Adult Literacy tutors and staff

Thanks for your support!

2008-03-31T01:38:12Z

Thanks for supporting DLC and our recent fundraising events! Although Saturday's weather was rainy and cold, we had a great turnout for the Great Human Race. DLC supporters walked, ran, and unicycled (!) the 5K course around downtown Durham, cheerfully raising awareness about literacy and funds for DLC despite the pouring rain.