Fall 2010 Literacy Connection Available Now

Academy of Hope's quarterly newsletter, The Literacy Connection, is available now online in PDF format.

In this issue...

• AoH Gets Smart with Technology in the Classroom
• Preparing for the GED and Beyond
• Wave of New Programming Hits The Hope this Fall
• Record Number "Pushed" to Graduate in 2010
• New Faculty Reflect
  

Adult Basic Education Instructor Opening at Academy of Hope

Academy of Hope currently has an opening for a part-time Adult Basic Education instructor. This instructor will teach Academy of Hope classes at the Department of Employment Services (DOES) Naylor Career Center in Southeast Washington, DC.

Qualifications:

• Bachelors Degree in Education, Social Services or a related field.
• Teaching certification is a plus.
• Must have experience teaching and working with adult learners.

To apply for this position, send resumes to jobs@aohdc.org and use “DOES Instructor” as your subject line. Submit by COB this Thursday, October 21. Classes are scheduled to start November 1.

Position details are described below.

Census Data Warn that Student Goals Must Reach Beyond the GED

A new report from the DC Fiscal Policy Institute reveals the uneven impact that the recession has had on the district.  DCFPI finds two trends that are particularly disturbing for our learners.  They write:

One in four residents with a high school diploma lives in poverty.  Among residents with a high school diploma or GED, poverty increased from 20 percent in 2007 to 25 percent in 2009.   Changes in poverty for other residents at other education levels were not statistically significant.

And:

The new Census data show that incomes are likely to be falling for DC residents with a high school diploma or less. From 2007 to 2009, median earnings for adults with less than a high school diploma fell from $23,300 to $20,400.  Those with a high school diploma or GED also saw a decline in earnings, from $29,000 in 2008 to $26,200 in 2009.  Earnings remained virtually unchanged for those with some college or beyond.  

Today is International Literacy Day

Today, September 8th, is International Literacy Day, which was first proclaimed by UNESCO in 1965.  The goal of this day is to highlight the importance of literacy to individuals, communities and societies.

The UN marks the day this year by noting that "Literacy is a cause for celebration since there are now close to four billion literate people in the world."  We are also nearing the end of the UN's Literacy Decade, proclaimed for 2003-2012, with the ambitious goal of "education for all."  With the close of Literacy Decade approaching, UNESCO informs us that today one in five adults is still not literate.

Ward 8 Students Share Stories at Defeat Poverty DC

Two students from AoH's Ward 8 site recently shared their stories at Defeat Poverty DC, a coalition of organizations that working, "to bring greater focus during the 2010 election season and beyond to the damaging effects of poverty: [in Washington, D.C.]

Both choose to contribute short essays about their struggles with affordable housing and homelessness:

"During a very difficult time in my life, I applied for emergency housing. At that time I was a single mother of five." -V. Moore, Ward 8 Student  (From Homless to a Home: My Story)

"The shelter system was set up with education, clothes and responsible guidelines. Employment training helped me to learn how to keep a job. The clothing provided to me helped me to know how to dress for an interview. " -N. Gee Miles, Ward 8 Student (Poverty Through My Eyes: Affordable Housing)

The Push for 40: Where are we now?

Those of you following along know that Academy of Hope is pushing for 40 graduates this year.  If you've been following us on Twitter or on the Push for 40 page, you may have noticed that we've been at 20 graduates for a while now.  So what's been going on? Have we given up hope?

The answers to these questions are, "a lot," and "of course we haven't!"

Help AoH Get Comfy in Ward 8

Big things are happening at our newest site in Ward 8!  GED and computer classes began this May, based primarily in our space at The Overlook apartments.  The expansion, announced December 2009, was made possible through major funding from the Alice and Eugene Ford Foundation.

Two months ago, students registered for classes in a bare room, with white walls and no furniture.  In spite of it's drab first impression, Daquanna Harrison, Program Coordinator for Ward 8, was able to attract students to the site.  Since that time, the space has transformed into a functioning classroom, complete with a mini-school store (a longstanding AoH tradition).

Seeking Volunteers for Summer Term

The Academy of Hope is currently recruiting new volunteers for both teaching and tutoring positions in the upcoming summer semester.

Volunteers teach and tutor students in basic education classes (reading, writing and math), preparation for the GED exam (reading, writing, math, social studies and science), and the External Diploma Program (an alternative program for adults to earn their actual high school diploma).

GED is the First Step for Latest Grad

"Doors were shutting in my face..." 

Troy Knight heard about Academy of Hope's GED program from a friend. He decided it was time to return to school while in the middle of an unsuccessful job-search, after learning that he would need a high-school credential to qualify for most apprenticeship programs. “Doors were shutting in my face…” he says.

“Oh, definitely…” Troy replies, when asked if any challenges outside of school had ever made progress difficult. “Personal issues,” and shifting employment and living arrangements all had to be overcome. He says that passing the test in the face of these challenges took much determination, and he gives credit to supportive family members and friends for helping along the way. Troy adds that Academy of Hope staff helped him stay persistent. He chuckles, recalling the many prodding phone calls made by staff-member Jessie Stadd (pictured above on right), urging him to apply for a D.C. ID, sign up for a test date, and get plenty of rest.

Now that he has passed the test Troy’s focus is on his next move, “I want to take it as far as I can take it,” he says, “the GED is a necessity for me, and now that I have it I’m planning on going to college.”

Troy (above-left) is the 16th Academy of Hope student to receive a high-school credential this year.  For more stories and insights follow our "Push for 40" graduates.  

On Track for Record number of Graduates

Pushing for 40

This year, as we celebrate our 25th year of existence, we have even more cause for celebration. We are projecting that 40 individuals will earn their high school credential by the end of our fiscal year.

Forty would be the largest number of graduates in any given year for Academy of Hope.  Approximately 21 adults earn their high school credential each year. Our largest number of graduates was in 1995 when 28 adult learners earned their high school credential.

To understand the significance of this accomplishment, one must first understand what it takes for an adult learner to earn a high school credential and what it takes for a small community based, adult learning center to make a difference:

Winter-Spring Newsletter Out Now!

Academy of Hope's seasonally published newsletter "The Literacy Connection" is now available online in PDF format.

In the latest newsletter you will find details about:

• New programs--AoH is now involved in a collaboration in Ward 8!
• Good news for the Pathways program--major funding!
• Strive for Success living up to it's name--student successes!
• An exciting update about recent graduate Michael Cola--Adult Learner of the Year! 

Part-Time Teaching Openings at Academy of Hope

Academy of Hope is currently hiring part-time Adult Basic Education and GED instructors. We have positions open at different facilities and at various times throughout the day.

Qualifications:

• Bachelors Degree in Education, Social Services or a related field 
• Teaching certification is a plus. 
• Must have experience teaching and working with adult learners. 

To apply for any position, send resumes to jobs@aohdc.org and use the subject line of your e-mail to specify which position you prefer.

Positions Available:

• Adult Basic Education/GED Instructor (part-time)
• Pathways Math Instructor (part-time)
• GED Math Instructor (part-time)

Position details are available here.

Press Release: Comcast Foundation Funds AoH Pathways to College

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Comcast Foundation Awards Grant to Academy of Hope to Support the Pathways to College Program

Washington, D.C. – February 16, 2010 - The Comcast Foundation has awarded a $25,000 grant to Academy of Hope (AoH) to support its Pathways to College program.  AoH’s Pathways to College program is designed to help AoH graduates and individuals who, despite having a high school diploma or GED, need to improve their academic skills to enter college credit bearing courses.  Funding from the Comcast Foundation will support technology coaches and college field trips for individuals enrolled in the Pathways to College program.

“We are grateful to Comcast for its generous contribution,” said Lecester Johnson, Executive Director for Academy of Hope.  “The Comcast Foundation grant will help us to continue enhancing our post-secondary services for AoH graduates and District of Columbia residents interested in continuing their education beyond a high school diploma or GED.”

“Comcast is committed to partnering with local organizations to strengthen the communities that we serve,” said Fred Graffam, regional senior vice president for Comcast.  “We are proud to support Academy of Hope in their efforts to make a real and meaningful difference in our local communities.”