Junior League of Oakland East Bay

Description

In 2000, the Junior League of Oakland-East Bay (JLOEB) decided to devote its time, talents and resources to a single Signature Project focusing on education of children in the kindergarten to 8th grade age group who are from economically at risk areas. Extensive research and interviews showed that 3 of the greatest needs in education are: Early intervention programs; Quality after school and extra-curricular programs; and, Support and training for parents who often feel disaffected by the school system. JLOEB is developing a 5-year Signature Project that will target all three of these needs. The heart of the project is a comprehensive literacy program for Kindergarteners, 1st and 2nd graders that will help them learn to read at or beyond grade level. Curriculum will include one-on-one reading sessions and a variety of experiences in art, social studies, math, science and sports. Volunteers from JLOEB and other community organizations and older students from local schools will serve as mentors/tutors. To training, personal finance and parenting skills. Parents and other community members also will be trained as literacy tutors so that they can continue the project. Our partner school in the Signature Project is Hoover Elementary in Oakland. Ms. Barbar Mims, principal of Hoover, shares JLOEB's belief that problems in the schools from literacy to violence can be resolved only through efforts of the entire community. That community includes students, faculty and administration, parents, and organizations like JLOEB. We will be collaborating with several other local organizations on the Signature Project to ensure broad community involvement and to provide the best possible services to Hoover. Successful, quality literacy projects cost $150 to $250 thousand per year, depending on program content, student to staff ratio and number of students served. All revenues from JLOEB fundraisers go to our community projects. However, we will need the participation of foundations, corporate sponsors and individual donors in order to realize our vision of a comprehensive literacy program serving children at risk.