HomeMy WebLinkAboutApplications_Literacy for Life DEI 2022 ApplicationDiversity, Equity and Inclusion
2022-2023 GRANT FUNDING FOR HIGH IMPACT DE&I PROJECTS
Pl e ase provi de al l re que ste d i nformati on be f ore submi tti ng your appl i cati on. Please be as spe cific as possible !
I f accommoda on or assistance is n eed ed in co mple ng this A pplica on, or if a paper ve rsion is prefe rre d, ple ase
contact (805) 781-7100 or D EI@slocity.org
Organization Name :*
Y e ar Establishe d:*
Fiscal Age nt, if diffe re nt than abov e :*
Tax ID #:*
Docume nt Ce rtifying Fe de ral Tax-Exe mpt status, if applicable
Name of Exe cutiv e Dire ctor (or highe st le ade rship position)
Approximate Annual Budge t:
M ajor Source s of Funding:
M ission State me nt:
Numbe r of paid staff (full- or part-time ):
Numbe r of v olunte e rs:
Name of Board Pre side nt or Chair:
Organizational Le ade rship Chart *
Name of Pe rson comple ting this Application:
PART 1: APPLICANT INFORMATION
Literacy for Life Organization
1982
n/a
953807037
non profit letter GIA.pdf 1.21MB
CEO- Bernadette Bernardi
192,000
California State Library Literacy Services, SLO County Library, SLO County, City of SLO-HRC, Private
Donations, Foundations
Literacy for Life transforms the community, empowering individuals by removing barriers to success and
strengthening relationships through the power of literacy.
4
150
Bernadette Bernardi
Organizational Chart August 2022.pdf 67.55KB
Bernadette Bernardi
Organization M ailing Addre ss:*
Phone :*
E-mail:*
Brie fly de scribe your organization’s mission, primary activ itie s, and ope rating structure s.
De scribe the community(ie s) your organization supports.
City
San Luis Obispo
State / Province / Region
CA
Postal / Zip Code
93401
Country
United States
Street Address
992 Monterey Street, Suite C
Address Line 2
805-541-4219
bernadette@literacyforlifeslo.org
Literacy for Life's mission is to transform the community, empowering individuals by removing barriers to
success and strengthening relationships through the power of literacy.
We are a nonprofit organization committed to teaching non-literate adults, 16 and older, to read, write, and
speak English. As a result of these English language communication skills, individuals are empowered to
begin a positive cycle of family-wide literacy that carries through generations. They learn to understand
the basic English and number skills needed to thrive in everyday life. They increase opportunities for
employment, housing, and health. Their relationships are strengthened through the higher self-esteem
that comes with education.
We recruit and train volunteers from the community to become volunteer tutors. Our program is based on
the each one- teach one format- one tutor to one learner- a formula because of its very nature that
ensures successful outcomes.
Our program is free and we do not turn anyone away who needs our service. We work with native English
speakers and speakers of English as a second language. Through our family literacy program, we assure
that home libraries thrive and that parents can read to their children- finally breaking the cycle of illiteracy
in families.
Our operating structure follows established management standards and norms. Our CEO reports monthly
to the Board of Directors. Included in the monthly reports are Financial Statements that are maintained by
a contract bookkeeper who is an accountant. The CEO manages the organization overseeing paid staff
and volunteers.
Name of DE&I Proje ct *
Est. numbe r of pe ople se rv e d through this proje ct:*
Est. numbe r of SLO CITY RESIDENTS se rv e d through this proje ct *
Total Proje ct Cost:*
AM OUNT OF CITY FUNDING REQUESTED:*
Please be specif ic in the population and geographic area.
As stated in our mission, we support adults not literate in English and their families. Our learners are
primarily immigrants, in addition to native English speakers. In San Luis Obispo County, there are an
estimated 25,000 functionally illiterate adults. Our program supports Latinx, Asian, Black, Caucasian,
Pacific Islander, Native American, and any ethnicity that seeks our help. In 2020-21, 50% of our learners
identified as Latinx, and 27% identified as Asian (versus 24% and 4% in SLO County).
We do not discriminate against an individual’s sexual orientation or gender identity. For learners, we serve
anyone 16 or older. The sixteen-year-olds we serve cannot be enrolled in school. Our family literacy
includes children though not for instruction.
In FY 2021-22 we served:
Learners: 60
Gender
Man (cis/transgender): 15 Women (cis/transgender): 36 Nonbinary/genderqueer: 0 Other: 0
Prefer not to answer: 9
Ethnicities Hispanic: 30
Asian: 16
African American: 1 Caucasian: 2
Native American: 0 Pacific Islander: 0 Other: 3
Prefer not to answer: 8
CMC learners: 270
Gender
Men: 270
Ethnicities
Hispanic: 107
Asian: 8
African American: 37 Caucasian: 21
Native American: 1 Pacific Islander: 2
Other: 18 Unknown: 76
Our program re-opened in-person work in the Spring of 2022, though some tutor/learner pairs continue to
work virtually. We require everyone in our program who works in person to be fully vaccinated. The CDC
has eased restrictions regarding Covid though we choose to be cautious. We do serve individuals who are
not vaccinated by offering our service virtually. If necessary, we provide the equipment for them to
participate fully.
We are a SLO county-wide program. We have two Learning Centers in San Luis Obispo, two in Arroyo
Grande, one in Nipomo, one in Los Osos, one in Morro Bay, one in Cambria, one in Paso Robles, and one
in Atascadero.
Literacy for Life has also historically served the incarcerated though our program at the California Men’s
Colony is currently on hold. There’s been several changes and challenges there since the onset of Covid.
We will resume our program with them when it is best for the inmates.
PART 2: PROJECT INFORMATION
Working Title: Treasured Objects: Personal Heritage Stories
100
35
43,500
De scribe your propose d proje ct or program.
De scribe the community the proje ct will support.
De scribe the e quity gaps and community ne e ds this proje ct will addre ss.
15,000
Specify w hat the requested f unds w ill be used f or, the need for this project, the number of people impacted. Include a project plan, if available.
As the National Council of Teachers of English notes, literacy is more than just reading and writing; it's a
tool for meaningful social engagement. This project uses personal storytelling in this way: to facilitate
communication, meaningful social engagement, and empathy between our diverse communities in San
Luis Obispo county while expanding our conventional understanding of literacy. The requested funds will
be used to help create an exhibit of learner and tutor stories. The work would be incorporated into their
tutoring sessions thus practicing literacy skills while creating a story and artifact that would engage the
larger community. The focus of the individual’s story will be a treasured object that is significant to the
individual's heritage. For example, someone might tell the story of a silver-handled hairbrush that
belonged to their grandmother who brought it to California from Taxco, Mexico.
For the exhibit, the tutors and learners would create a replica or representation of their treasured object
with an accompanying story. We would not ask that the actual objects be on display- since they are
precious. Over a series of sessions, the tutors and learners would select an object, compose a story about
the object, and create a representation or replica of the treasured object. It could be something as simple
as a photograph to something more complex like making a replica or an art object. We will have instructors
available to help our participants recreate as well as provide tools and materials to make the objects for
the exhibit.
This project is a different approach to telling stories. Telling stories is an important link to who we are as
individuals and as members of our community. It’s vital to the well-being of individuals and communities to
better know and understand their culture and to discover other cultures within their community. The visual
aspect of this storytelling and our plan to display it, museum style, in different sites in SLO County will
underscore that we are a diverse community. The stories told through treasured objects will organically
demonstrate that everyone’s story is an important piece of the community’s whole story. Equanimity will
surface through the recognition of similar concepts of what are treasured objects. Treasured objects
included in the visual story by our tutors and learners are a manifestation of inclusivity. The learners'
objects and the tutors' objects are included in the same display. The equal standing and worth given will
not be lost on the community members and visitors who come to view the display of "Treasured Objects:
Personal Heritage Stories".
San Luis Obispo City and County community members will be impacted by this project. The first 60 days of
the grant will be focused on creating a detailed plan. A brief sketch is:
1. Introduce the concept of the Treasured Objects to our learners and tutors.
2. Get started with those that understand and want to participate
3. Identify objects and what’s needed to replicate them.
4. Hire instructors/guides to help make the replicas.
5. Work with participants to write explanations about why this object.
6. Secure/partner for location(s) for museum display(s)
7. Organize a launch event
8. Create verbal and written surveys
9. Travel to various locations in SLO County for pop-ups
10. Fine-tune
11. Repeat
Specify the population, location of services provided, and any other identif iers your proposed project w ill support.
; The population served will be:
1. Volunteer tutors- Caucasian, Latinx, Asian
2. Learners-Latinx, Asian, Caucasian, Black, Pacific Islander, Native American
3. San Luis Obispo County residents and visitors
Locations for creating stories:
1. In any one of our ten learning centers- two are in San Luis Obispo City.
2. For storytelling- TBD locations throughout SLO County. Museums, libraries, galleries, empty storefronts.
3. For assistance in creating replicas of treasured objects- artists, carpentars, architects, photographers.
In the table below briefly list 2-3 methods of evaluation and indicators of success or
measurable outcomes.
M e thods of Ev aluation Indicators of Succe ss / M e asurable Outcome s
In the chart below, identify any partnerships/collaborations that are supporting this
project, and their roles.
Name of Partne r Activ ity/Se rv ice The y Prov ide for This Proje ct
The equity gap that this project will address is giving voice to our learners. The majority of our learners fall
in the lowest socio-economic demographic. They are the essential workers that are not seen. Our project
will bring their stories out into the community that readily ignores them unless their absence creates a void
in services that the privileged community members require.
Our tutors would be engaged with their learners in a different way other than being the English language
instructor. They would discover some more commonalities with their learner as well as have the opportunity
to have a deeper understanding of their differences. These factors are key to closing equity gaps and
realizing community needs.
Example : # of BIPOC serving on public boards, committees
Number of learners participating
Example: 10% increase by end of 2021
Completed Treasured Objects replicas. Results of
verbal and written surveys re: their experience of
creating and displaying their Treasured Objects
Example : # of BIPOC serving on public boards, committees
Number of tutors participating
Example: 10% increase by end of 2021
Completed Treasured Objects replicas. Results of
verbal and written surveys re: their experience of
creating and displaying their Treasured Objects.
Example : # of BIPOC serving on public boards, committees
Number of County residents viewing Treasured
Objects: Personal Heritage Stories
Example: 10% increase by end of 2021
From sign-in registration email survey re: impact of
viewing the Treasured Objects
Example : # of BIPOC serving on public boards, committees
Number of County visitors viewing Treasured
Objects: Personal Heritage Stories
Example: 10% increase by end of 2021
From sign-in registration email survey re: impact of
viewing Treasured Objects
Example: ABC Business
TBD- Museums
Example: Free Use of Space f or Weekend Classes
Use of space for display
Example: ABC Business
County Libraries- Library Management is aware of
the project and has voiced interest in having it
displayed at the main branch in San Luis Obispo
City, as well as Atascadero and Nipomo libraries.
Example: Free Use of Space f or Weekend Classes
Use of space for display
Example: ABC Business
TBD- Galleries
Example: Free Use of Space f or Weekend Classes
Use of space for display
Example: ABC Business
We have spoken with management of Jamestown
LP, the company that manages stores fronts in
San Luis Obispo. They are amenable to having an
exhibit of Treasured Objects: Personal Heritage
stories in an empty store place.
Example: Free Use of Space f or Weekend Classes
Use of space for display
Example: ABC Business
TBD-Artists, Architects, and more
Example: Free Use of Space f or Weekend Classes
To help create replicas of Treasured Objects
Example: ABC Business
An outdoor event venue. TBD
Example: Free Use of Space f or Weekend Classes
For Kick-Off Event in September 2023
Prov ide the time line for this propose d proje ct.
De scribe your plan for sustainability be yond the City’s one -ye ar award funding, if applicable .
Using the table below, please provide a broadly-itemized budget for your project,
including the source of any matching funds.
Ite m De scription *Total Cost *Amount Prov ide d by
City Funds *
Amount of Othe r
Funds and Source of
Funding *
1
2
3
4
5
6
*During application review , you may be asked for f urther f inancial information or f or proof of any matching f unds
De scribe the plan for promoting this proje ct within the City of San Luis Obispo.
How will you highlight the City's support of your proje ct?
By signi ng thi s applicaon, I ce rfy that the i nformaon containe d w i thin is true and corre ct to the be st of my
know l e dge . I agre e to comply w i th the re quire me nts of the Ci ty of the San Lui s Obispo.
Name of Pe rson comple ting this Application:*
Signature *
Reserve location for a kick-off event to take place September 2023
Begin recruiting learner and tutor participants in January 2023
Pick Treasured Objects by end of January 2023
Find artists, architects, etc. to help instruct creating replicas by mid-February 2023
Purchase/rent necessary tools
Purchase necessary materials to create objects
Reserve satellite display locations for October 2023
Wrap-up satellite displays by mid-November 2023
Begin again in January 2024
The plan is for this project to be a yearly endeavor. We would do fundraising specifically for it at a yearly
event. We would appeal to individual donors. We would apply for grants that would allow this project as
part of their funding.
PART 3: PROJECT COST / BUDGET
Staff Salaries 9,000.00$3,000.00$6,000.00$
Contract Staff Salaries 18,000.00$6,000.00$12,000.00$
Materials and Supplies 10,000.00$3,500.00$6,500.00$
Marketing 3,000.00$1,150.00$1,850.00$
Printing 3,000.00$1,150.00$1,850.00$
Miscellaneous 500.00$200.00$300.00$
PART 4: AWARENESS AND VISIBILITY
There will be print posters. Print flyers. Radio ads. TV ads. Social media outreach. Notice on our website.
Information in our e-newsletter. Rotary Club announcements.
Wherever the Treasured Objects: Personal Heritage Stories go the City of San Luis Obispo will be
highlighted. We will have printed programs. Notices on our website. Our e-newsletter. Radio and TV. Print.
PART 5: CERTIFICATION
Bernadette Benrardi
Title :*
Date :*
CEO
8/30/2022
Organizational Chart
August 2022
Board of Directors
Chief Executive Officer
Program Assistant Volunteers Tutor Trainer Contract Bookkeeper