Raising a Community of Readers

OUR MISSION for the Great Valley Bookfest is to create a family-friendly festival that celebrates literacy and promotes the written word in the heart of California’s Central Valley.

The Great Valley Bookfest continues to forge partnerships with public agencies and community based organizations to encourage reading for all age groups.

Reading by Third:

Research shows that the ability to read proficiently by the end of third grade is a powerful predictor of future academic success. But it’s a benchmark too many local children fail to reach. Learn more about how the University of the Pacific and their partners in the Beyond Our Gates initiative are working to improve early literacy.

San Joaquin Reads:

San Joaquin Reads is built around a research-based model co-developed on behalf of the American Library Association by Dr. Susan Neuman, an early literacy expert and alumna of Pacific’s Benerd School of Education.Through interactive workshops led by trusted community organizations, parents and caregivers are learning how to make early literacy a part of their everyday routines. It doesn’t take extensive training or expensive equipment. Helping young children grow up to be strong readers starts simply: with talking, singing, reading, writing and playing. To date, Pacific has trained more than a dozen organizations on how to deliver early literacy workshops, with additional trainings planned for the future.To learn more:
http://www.pacific.edu/Community/Beyond-Our-Gates/Reading-by-Third/San-Joaquin-Reads.html

First 5 San Joaquin

Research shows that a child’s brain develops most dramatically in the first five years and what parents and caregivers do during these years to support their child’s growth will have a meaningful impact throughout life.  Based on this research, California voters passed Proposition 10 in 1998, adding a 50 cents-per-pack tax on cigarettes to support programs for expectant parents and children ages 0 to 5.  With this funding, First 5 San Joaquin (F5SJ) provides financial support for critical programs such as health, preschool and literacy programs, to ensure programs effectively meet the needs of families. Among other literacy services/programs, F5SJ funds Raising A Reader (RAR), a book bag exchange program that engages parents and caregivers in a routine of book sharing with children.  RAR is offered by home visitation, preschool, and child care providers.  F5SJ also implements the Talk, Read, Sing, Draw, Play (TRSDP) campaign in partnership with a number of local agencies.  The TRSDP campaign encourages parent engagement and provides children 0-5 with consistent, language-rich experiences. 

Website: www.sjckids.org

Email: sjckids@sjgov.org

Phone: (209) 953-5437

Stanislaus Reads!:

Stanislaus READS! is a multi-agency, multi-year effort to help children read at grade-level by the end of third grade. This critical milestone is the most important predictor for high school graduation and career success and marks the transition from learning to read to reading to learn. www.StanReads.org

Adult Literacy Education ~ If you know an adult who would like to learn to read (no matter their age) please have them reach out to the appropriate resource below:

LearningQuest — Stanislaus Literacy Centers
Partnering with the Stanislaus County Library

Over 100,000 adults in Stanislaus County have difficulty using an ATM machine or reading a bus schedule. Not being able to read well affects everything from a person’s ability to find a job, to read to their child, to filling out health forms.

Through a wide range of FREE literacy services, like reading, writing, math, life, technology and work skills, LearningQuest helps a diverse population of learners meet their needs and achieve their personal and employment-related goals. (Hablamos español)

One-on-One Tutoring
Volunteers are trained to help Adult Learners improve reading and writing skills. Together, the tutor and learner set goals and thus begins a partnership of learning that changes the life of the Adult Learner. Tutoring sessions are held at the Stanislaus County Library in Modesto. Info on tutoring services: Rose Jurado, 209-558-4505, rjurado@lqslc.com

Earning the Diploma
LearningQuest provides free classes to prepare adult students for the five HiSET exams required to obtain the High School Equivalency (HSE) diploma, commonly known as GED. Orientations are held monthly and classes are available year-round. Info on earning a diploma: 209-548-9266

Spanish HSE classes offered in the evenings. Contact: Estefania Barajas, 209-672-6644, ebarajas@lqslc.com.

Learning English
The following free programs are available for Adult Learners looking to improve English skills and instill literacy in their families:

• Parent and Child Time (PACT)
• Conversational English Classes
• ESL Citizenship Prep
• Childcare Program
• Family Literacy

Child care for children ages 3-12 are provided at most ESL sites while student-parents are enrolled. Children interact with LearningQuest staff through educational activities to develop learning and social skills. Info on ESL services: Rebecca Sutis, 209-672-6659, rsutis@lqslc.com

Classroom to Career
College and Career services are offered to all current and past students. Transitional Specialists help students find the right options to meet their professional goals. We’ll help with:

• College, trade school, job and financial aid applications (FAFSA)
• Job search, resume building, interview prep & work etiquette
• School research and tours
• So much more!

CONTACT US for more info
(Hablamos español)

LearningQuest
209-522-0656
1032 11^th St., Modesto, CA 95354
www.LQSLC.com
www.facebook.com/lqslc
Instagram: LearningQuest_SLC

Stockton-San Joaquin County Public Library