HomeMy WebLinkAbout8/20/2019 Item 04, Bernardi
Subject: RE: Literacy for Life
From: Bernadette Bernardi < >
Sent: Tuesday, August 13, 2019 3:14 PM
To: Christianson, Carlyn <cchristislocity,orp
Subject: Literacy for Life
Dear Carlyn,
At the August 20, 2019 City Council meeting, the four City Council Members and you will be deciding on the recommendations from your HRC
Committee regarding Grants -In -Aid funds for fiscal year 2019-20. At this time, Literacy for Life is recommended for a $1,000.00 grant.Though our
organization appreciates being recommended for a grant, I'm writing this email to respectfully ask that the City Council and you strongly consider
revising the recommended amount to us from the $1,000.00 to $5,000.00.
For your review, I have attached a copy of our recently submitted year-end report for fiscal year 2018-19. Though still considerably underfunded
with $2,500.00 by the City of San Luis Obispo Grants -In -Aid grant, we served 95 learners with 63 volunteer tutors all residents of the City of San Luis
Obispo. That essentially translates to a mere $15.80 per person that your city allocated toward fostering and improving literacy skills for your
residents. Though I believe it goes without saying, I will say it- literacy skills are basic human needs. If an individual does not have the ability to
read, write, or speak the language of his community then that individual's ability to provide for himself is significantly minimized. Not having
literacy skills directly causes someone to have to seek out assistance from already highly impacted social services. Newly acquired or improved
literacy skills guarantee a pathway to self-sufficiency and higher self-esteem.
Thank you for considering our request for an increase to $5,000.00 in Grants -In -Aids 2019-20 funds to Literacy For Life. Please do not hesitate if
you have questions or need more information.
Respectfully,
Bernadette
Bernadette Bernardi
Executive Director
Literacy for Life
bernadette@literacyforlifesio.org
visit: www.literacyforlifesio.org
Like us on FaceBook!
Human Relations Commission Grants -In -Aid Program
YEAR-END REPORT
Due. July 31"
Organization: Literacy for Life
Program: Literacy Program
Administrator's Report: (A brief synopsis of the activities of the reporting period, including a statement
of the activities, service or programs provided as described in Exhibit B (your grant application) using the
Grants -In -Aid provided, and any changes that have occurred during the reporting period.)
We teach adults sixteen and older to read, write, and speak English. Our one-on-one ins ruction is tree to a .
We provide a non -threatening learning environment that empowers individuals to learn English communication
skills. In San Luis Obispo County for fiscal year 2015-19 we served 470 learners with 356 tutors. In the City of
San Luis Obispo we served 95 learners with 63 tutors. The 95 City of San Luis Obispo learners set 117
literacy learning goals. 30 of those goals are still in progress. 32 of those goals were actually met in just one
year. The top four literacy learning goals were: 1.) Read or write emails, letters, cards, forms. 2.) Get a
driver's license 3.) REad aloud in class 4.) Greeting in English/I.D. yourself.
63 tutors 95 learners in the City of SLO spent a total of 6,355 literacy learning/tutoring hours.
With basic literacy tools our learners were empowered to: 1. Begin a positive cycle of family wide literacy that
carries through generations. 2. Understand the Basic English and number skills needed to thrive in everyday
life. 3. Pursue increased opportunities for employment, housing, and health. 4_ Strengthen their relationships
through the higher self-esteem that comes with education.
Our program was beneficial to SLO residents because we had a well-trained cadre of compassionate and
patient tutors available to provide an opportunity to anyone, at no cost to them, who wanted to learn and or
improve how they read, wrote, and/or spoke English. They acquired tangible skills that provided realistic hope
out of homelessness.
Statistical Report: (This section should include the number of clients served, their cities of origin, the
nature of services provided, as well as any other statistics which are kept by the agency_ The total number of
clients served also should be broken down by the type of service received.)
Total earners served in - in an Luis ObispoCounty-
Total volunteer tutors in fy 2018-19 in San Luis Obispo County- 356
Total learners served in fy 2018-19 in City of San Luis Obispo- 95
Total volunteer tutors in fy 2018-19 in City of San Luis Obispo- 63
Our learners received instruction in basic English language skills first based on their entry assessment along
with individual literacy learning goals desired.
Learner demographics:
Male: 29
Female: 66
Ages: Between 21 and 84 with the highest percentage in the 40 to 50 age range
Ethnicities:
Asian: 48
Hispanic: 36
Caucasian: 3
Unknown: 8
Countries of Ori in:
Financial report: (A financial statement detailing how the City's grant money has been expended.)
Total Grant Award:
$2,500.00
Program Coodination:
$ 500-00
Books and Materials for Learners:
$1,000.00
Books and Materials for Tutors:
$1,000.00
Total Grant Expenses:
$2,500.00
lBalance: 0
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Name Title Phone
Signature ILI ✓ bR/1211�
Date E-mail
Please limit to no more than 2 pages. Once signed, please scan and e-mail to housin_slocjtV.orq
and mail a hard copy to: City of San Luis Obispo, Attn: Cara Vereschagin, 919 Palm St. San Luis
Obispo, CA 93401.