Marin Literacy Program

PRIOR TO JUNE 2011, THE MARIN LITERACY PROGRAM WAS THEPRIVATE FUNDING PORTION OF A COMBINED PROJECT WITH THE SANRAFAEL PUBLIC LIBRARY AND THE MARIN COUNTY FREE LIBRARYOPERATING TOGETHER AS 'THE MARIN LITERACY PROGRAM', WITH A BUDGET OF OVER $600,000. AFTER SEVERAL YEARS OF THE PROGRAM RUNNING AT A DEFICIT, THE BOARD AND AFFILIATES AGREED TO DRAMATICALLY RE-STRUCTURE THE PROGRAM TO WORK WITHIN A BUDGET OF $135,000. THE HEART OF THE REVITALIZED PROGRAM IS ONE-ON-ONE TUTORING WITH NO COST TO THE RECIPIENT. THE QUALITY OF INSTRUCTION IS MAINTAINED BY APROVEN METHOD OF TRAINING VOLUNTEER TUTORS AND MATCHING THEM TO ADULT STUDENTS FOR THE MOST EFFECTIVE LEARNING RELATIONSHIP. STUDENTS WITH CHILDREN LESS THAN 12 YEARS OF AGE ARE MATCHED WITH A FAMILY LITERACY TUTOR, AND IN WORKING WITH CHILDREN'S BOOKS, LEARN TO BECOME THEIRCHILD'S FIRST TEACHER WHILE IMPROVING THEIR OWN LITERACY SKILLS. ADULT ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEARNERS WHO ARE UNABLE TO COMPLETE THE INITIAL INTAKE INTERVIEW IN ENGLISH ARE MATCHED WITH A TUTOR WHO IS BILINGUAL IN THE STUDENT'S FIRST LANGUAGE OR THEY REFERRED TO ANOTHER ESL PROVIDER AND PARTNER, SUCH AS CANAL ALLIANCE, TAMALPAIS ADULT SCHOOL DISTRICT OR COLLEGE OF MARIN. FOR THE MAJORITY OF OUR STUDENTS ENGLISH IS THEIR SECOND LANGUAGE AND WE HAVE A RICH TAPESTRY OF CULTURAL VOICES THAT WE ARE WEAVING INTO OUR COMMUNITY WITH LITERACY SKILLS. INMATE LITERACY SERVICES ARE PROVIDED AT MARIN COUNTY JAIL AND SAN QUENTIN STATE PRISON, THROUGH SMALL GROUP INSTRUCTION AND ONE-ON-ONE TUTORING. IN CONJUNCTION WITH JAIL PERSONNEL, MARIN LITERACY HAS ALSO DEVELOPED A PROGRAM, BELIEVED TO BE THE FIRST IN THE STATE, PROVIDING A FORM OF INDEPENDENT STUDY FOR INMATES IN LOCK DOWN. WE ALSO OFFER A PARENTING CLASS AT THE JAIL ("STAYING CONNECTED") TO KEEP INMATES CONNECTED TO THE CHILDREN IN THEIR LIVES. WRITING LETTERS TO THEIR CHILDREN, UNDERSTANDING HOW LEARNING HAPPENS, CRITICAL THINKING SKILLS AND THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN PUNISHMENT AND DISCIPLINE ARE SOME OF THE LESSONS THAT HAPPEN IN THESE CLASSES. THE INMATE STUDENTS ARE WORKING ON THEIR OWN CRITICAL THINKING AND LITERACY SKILLS AS THEY LEARN HOW TO HAVE DEEPER, HEALTHIER CONNECTIONS TO THE CHILDREN IN THEIR LIVES. IN WEST MARIN WE PROVIDE FAMILY LITERACY OPPORTUNITIES WITH OUR KIDSZONE AT THE POINT REYES FARMERS MARKET WHERE CHILDREN AND THEIR PARENTS ARE PROVIDED THE OPPORTUNITY TO ENHANCE EARLY LEARNING SKILLS THROUGH GARDENING, HEALTHY EATING, ART PROJECTS, BOOKS, AND BILINGUAL STORY TIME - ALL ENCOURAGING EARLY LEARNING AND LITERACY SKILLS. WE GIFT CHILDREN IN WEST MARIN WITH MONTHLY FREE CHILDREN'S BOOKS. WITH A MORE STREAMLINED STRUCTURE THE PAST FIVE YEARS WE ARE ABLE TO RESPOND TO COMMUNITY NEEDS AND REQUESTS WITH FLEXIBILITY AND CREATIVITY. WE HOPE TO CONTINUE ON FOR ANOTHER 30 YEARS.