Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource "Voices That Must Be Heard" Articles Description An account of the resource The Independent Press Association (IPA) translates articles from the ethnic press (when necessary) and distributes them via web and fax newsletter to mainstream and ethnic press, government offices, nonprofits, and interested individuals. Voices That Must be Heard was designed by the Independent Press Association staff in New York City in response to the horrifying events of September 11. After Sept. 11th, Voices focused on the South Asian, Arab and Middle Eastern communities in New York. Since February 2002, the project has expanded, selecting articles from the broad range of ethnic and community newspapers throughout the city. Here, the Archive has preserved the Voices collection from its inception until November 2002. VTMBH Article VTMBH Article: Edition 19 VTMBH Article: Article Order 4 VTMBH Article: Title Literacy center provides key to whole new world VTMBH Article: Author Hannan Adely VTMBH Article: Publication Norwood News VTMBH Article: Original Language English VTMBH Article: Translator VTMBH Article: Section news VTMBH Article: Blurb Kenidia Gomez, a Bronx mother of five, was nearly illiterate when she signed up at the Center for Reading and Writing (CRW) at the Fordham Library a year ago. Of all the hurdles that come with that handicap, the most difficult was in her home. "It was very hard because my kids would say, 'Read me a story' and I would say I couldn't," she said. "Now, I can read them a story at night." VTMBH Article: Keywords VTMBH Article: Body Kenidia Gomez, a Bronx mother of five, was nearly illiterate when she signed up at the Center for Reading and Writing (CRW) at the Fordham Library a year ago. Of all the hurdles that come with that handicap, the most difficult was in her home. "It was very hard because my kids would say, 'Read me a story' and I would say I couldn't," she said. "Now, I can read them a story at night." For Bakmo Ceesay, who emigrated from West Gambia in 1997, the hardest part came when he tried to apply for work. "When I came here, my reading was very poor," he said. "When I wanted to fill out a job application, someone else had to do it for me." Now, both Gomez and Ceesay are improving their reading and writing skills twice a week at the CRW at the Fordham Library, 2556 Bainbridge Ave. With 25 tutors and 200 students, and many more adults who use the CRW's literacy software, the center is the largest of nine in the New York Public Library system. CRW students range in age and backgrounds; all have a fifth grade reading level or below. Students come to the center for different reasons. Some are immigrants who know only conversational English, others left school because they had to work and support their families, and some have learning disabilities that were not addressed. Other students said they "did not pay attention in school until it was too late." During a recent Thursday afternoon class, CRW students sat in small groups with a tutor, working on an assignment about the Bronx. They wrote about their neighborhoods, about the Bronx Zoo, and the New York Botanical Garden. The students quietly focused on their work, as their tutors went around helping them one-by-one. When they're not in the classroom, students often spend free time using library computers to practice literacy and spelling skills, surfing the Internet, and writing e-mail. The CRW students also have Internet workshops, celebrate themes like Poetry Month or Women's History Month, and take field trips. "Our goal is to really make independent readers so they can write grocery lists, fill out forms, and read the newspaper," said Barbara Martinez, the program's site director. Martinez says one of the biggest benefits of learning to read is the confidence that students gain. Pride was on display everywhere in the Thursday class, as the students showed off their essays and poems. Many of their writings are compiled into a paper journal and an on-line journal. Nora Katz, a 45-year-old mother with a learning disability, is proud that she can read books for the first time ever. She even has a favorite book now, "My Name is Mary." All the students have a strong appreciation for their tutors, and even had a thank-you reception for them on April 25. "They don't get paid," Gomez said. "They do it out of the kindness of their heart." The program is year-round, and groups meet some mornings, afternoons and evenings and on Saturdays. Currently, there is a waiting list of around 50 people. Under Mayor Bloomberg's proposed budget, the New York Public Library could be cut by between 15 and 22 percent. It would mean that five of eight Centers for Reading and Writing would close, including one in the Bronx. As the borough's main branch, Fordham's CRW would remain open, but would likely be in even greater demand due to the cuts. Students at the Fordham CRW wrote over 100 letters to the mayor asking him not to implement the library cuts. "They wrote about the value of this program and how much they've gained and asked where they would go without it," Martinez said. For the students, participating in the literacy program means working toward independence. According to the National Institute for Literacy, more than 20 percent of adults in New York City read at or below a fifth-grade level. These adults have a high rate of unemployment and poverty, and many rely on public assistance. The students have each set their own goals. Some want to move on to pre-GED or GED classes. Others want to get a job, or a better job. Some students have their sights set on reading the newspaper or reading notices from their children's teachers. Martinez said the biggest reward comes when students attain their goals. She got a call from a former student about a year ago, who thanked her and said she had just graduated from Mercy College. Martinez also said she was recently moved to tears when a student who couldn't write his name a few months ago read her a paragraph out loud. "Success comes in big and small," Martinez said. "True success comes when a person couldn't do something before and now can do it well." <i>Editor's Note: The Center for Reading and Writing holds literacy classes some mornings, afternoons and evenings and on Saturdays. For more information, call (718) 579-4222.</i> VTMBH Article: Line Breaks 1 VTMBH Article: Date 2002-05-22 VTMBH Article: Thumb VTMBH Article: Article File VTMBH Article: Hit Count 75 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Literacy center provides key to whole new world 911DA Item Elements describing a September 11 Digital Archive item. Status The process status of this item. approved Consent Whether September 11 Digital Archive has permission to possess this item. unknown Posting Whether the contributor gave permission to post this item. yes Copyright Whether the contributor holds copyright to this item. yes Source The source of this item. born-digital Media Type The media type of this item. article Original Name The original name of this item. Kenidia Gomez, a Bronx mother of five, was nearly illiterate when she signed up at the Center for Re Created by Author Whether the author created this item. yes Described by Author Whether the description of this item was submitted by the author. no Date Entered The date this item was entered into the archive. 2002-05-22