Each year, the Corporation for National & Community Service spearheads the effort to encourage Americans to volunteer in their communities during national days of service. The September 11th National Day of Service and Remembrance is a time where we can pay tribute to 9/11 victims, survivors, emergency responders, and others who were impacted by the attack. 

The Literacy Council of Buncombe County will be observing this national day of service during the week of September 12th – September 16th by encouraging tutors and their students to incorporate reading passages and learning exercises relevant to the following themes:

• People coming together to rebuild community
• Being aware of difference and understanding diversity (for example: discrimination and stereotypes)
• Being linked to a global community
• Immigrant experiences
• Random acts of kindness and goodwill
• Responding to emergencies 

Supplemental texts have been provided to our ESOL tutors to use in tutoring sessions this week, based on skill level. For curriculum resources that the Literacy Council of Buncombe County has available, see below:

Calling 911 (Beginner)

The lesson on “Calling 911” in the Health Stories text by Ann Gianola is perfect for teaching beginning learners important vocabulary related to emergency situations. Activities with this lesson might include having a dialogue with a 911 operator, identifying different medical emergencies, providing contact information to a first responder, or learning how to communicate needs.

A Country of Immigrants (Intermediate)

The chapter on “A Country of Immigrants” in the Contact USA text by Paul Abraham and Daphne Mackey will allow intermediate learners to explore the experience of immigrants while practicing reading comprehension. Activities with this lesson might include a dialogue about where immigrants come from, what cultural differences exist, and how communities respond to newcomers. 

Fitting In (Advanced)

The lesson on “Fitting In” in the New land, New Language text by Maxine Berger and Martha Siegel provides advanced learners with an opportunity to learn about discrimination and stereotyping while practicing writing skills. Activities with this lesson might include using adjectives to describe people, using adjectives to compare people, and writing about individual experiences with discrimination. 

The supplemental texts that were selected for tutors to use during the September 11th National Day of Service and Remembrance will help tutors and students have meaningful conversations around the lasting impact of this tragedy. 

Update Aug. 9, 2016: This position has been filled.

Position Description

Join AmeriCorps and “get things done”! Become a NC LiteracyCorps member at the Literacy Council of Buncombe County and improve literacy and English language skills in our community.

NC LiteracyCorps members provide literacy tutoring to youth and adults while building program capacity through volunteer tutor management. The LiteracyCorps member working with the Literacy Council of Buncombe County will have the opportunity to:

• provide direct service tutoring,
• recruit and orient volunteers,
• recruit and support students,
• develop and enhance community partnerships,
• conduct visibility campaigns, and
• participate in national days of service.

The Literacy Council’s NC LiteracyCorps member will begin in late August 2016 and complete his/her service year in July 2017. Over the course of the year, the member will become an integral part of the Literacy Council’s full-time team, providing 1700 hours of service.

Benefits to the Member

NC LiteracyCorps members receive a living allowance of up to $12,300 and qualify for limited health insurance reimbursements. Upon completion of requirements, they are eligible to receive an educational award of $5,775. NC LiteracyCorps members receive training in volunteer management, literacy issues, tutoring strategies, diversity, and leadership skills. The member placed with the Literacy Council will also have a professional development stipend to participate in conferences and seminars throughout the service year.

Qualifications

To serve with the NC LiteracyCorps, the member must:

• be at least 17 years old
• have a high school diploma or equivalent
• successfully pass statewide and national criminal background checks
• be a U.S. Citizen, National, or Legal Permanent Resident of the United States

Preferred qualifications are:

• a deep commitment to providing educational opportunities to economically disadvantaged adults and youth and/or those who are from other cultures
• excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to work effectively with staff, volunteers, and members of the community
• outstanding written and oral communication skills
• a working knowledge of office technology including Microsoft Office suites
• ability to work independently and collaboratively
• creative, strategic thinker with excellent organizational skills and ability to track deadlines
• available to work occasional evenings

According to Points of Light, this observance encourages individuals and communities “to be at the center of social change – discovering and actively demonstrating their collective power to make a difference.”

The Augustine Project helps many children each year get the skills they need to succeed. Volunteers with the Augustine Project make a real difference in the lives of real people.