2015-2016
Annual Report
Leading
through
Reading
2015-2016
The Vision
that every child and adult in Palm Beach County becomes a reader.
Our Mission
to improve the quality of life in our community by promoting and
achieving literacy.
The Need
Table of Contents
Message from the
Board President...................................2
Message from the
Chief Executive Officer.......................3
Literacy Initiatives................................4
Adults with low literacy:
• Can’t fill out a job application
• Can’t read a bus schedule
Special Events......................................6
In Palm Beach County, 1 in 7 adults lacks basic literacy skills.
Glades Family Education................9
Children who can’t read well by the fourth grade:
• Begin to fall behind in every subject, not just language arts
• Are at greater risk of dropping out of school
Literacy AmeriCorps........................9
In Palm Beach County, 47 percent of fourth grade students read below
grade level.
Workplace and
About Us
Through connections of extensive outreach and collaboration with a
network of community partners, the Literacy Coalition of Palm Beach
County is dedicated to ensure that individuals who need to improve their
literacy skills receive the help they need. The Literacy Coalition provides
services to 27,000 adults, children and families each year through 12
programs in 110 sites from Jupiter to Boca Raton to Belle Glade. We teach
adults with low literacy skills in the workplace and in community centers.
We work with pediatricians to introduce low income families to the
importance of reading with their children. We provide reading partners
who share books weekly with three-year-old children to help them
blossom into life-long readers. We oversee a home visiting program that
encourages verbal interaction and educational play between parents
and their preschool children. We coordinate 40 Literacy AmeriCorps
members who serve as tutors for children and adults and as graduation
coaches to aid struggling high school students. We support and
encourage literacy programs and initiatives throughout the county.
Adult & Family Literacy.......................8
Village Readers ............................. 10
Community Education................... 10
Children’s Literacy.............................. 11
After School Reads.........................12
Budding Readers........................... 12
Building Better Readers.................13
Parent-Child Home.........................13
Turning Bullies into Buddies.......... 14
Reach Out and Read..................... 14
Partners............................................... 15
Donors................................................. 16
Financial Report..................................17
Advisory Panel................................... 18
Board of Directors............................. 19
Staff.................................................... 20
How You Can Help ............................21
A Message from the
A Message from the
Board President
Lisa Koza
Board President, 2015-16
Kristin Calder, Author Chris
Bohjalian and Lisa Koza at
the Read Together finale.
It’s been my privilege to serve as the
President of the Board of Directors for
the Literacy Coalition of Palm Beach
County for the past two years. As
a Board member and volunteer for
over a decade, I have witnessed the
dynamic growth of this organization
and our impact all over the county.
Throughout the last 26 years, the
Coalition has never steered from its
original mission to bring awareness to
our county’s significant literacy needs
and work to improve the quality of
life in our community by promoting
and achieving literacy for all adults,
children and families in Palm Beach
County. I must thank every Board
member for their dedication and
resolve to the mission.
This year the Literacy Coalition
provided services to more than 27,000
adults, children and families through
12 different literacy programs. How
do we accomplish it? We accomplish
it through extensive outreach and
collaboration with a network of
community partners, our generous
donors, volunteers, Advisory Panel,
Literacy AmeriCorps members,
Chief Executive Officer
Literacy Coalition staff and Literacy
Coalition CEO, Kristin Calder, who
understands the importance of the
written word and works tirelessly
to fulfill the mission of the Literacy
Coalition.
In addition to serving as President
of the Board, I am a Senior Vice
President at The Northern Trust
Company. I am proud to say that
Northern Trust has been a longtime supporter of the Coalition and
served in its leadership for over 22
years. Earlier this year, Northern Trust
hosted a special evening to Celebrate
Reading in honor of the 25th
anniversary of the Literacy Coalition
of Palm Beach County with one of
the country’s leading authorities on
Abraham Lincoln, Harold Holzer.
With your support, the following
pages illustrate what you have helped
us accomplish. We couldn’t do it
without you.
With thanks and appreciation,
Lisa Koza
What an exciting year for reading
in Palm Beach County! In the last
year, we helped more than 350
first and second grade students
significantly improve their reading
skills thanks to more than 150 of
our trained volunteers giving their
time. We helped thousands of
children develop early literacy skills
and provided support to adults
struggling to earn a living wage
due to the lack of basic reading
skills.
We coordinated 800 volunteers
that read to 14,000 children as
part of Read for the Record.
Businesses, libraries, civic leaders
and adults embraced reading
and book discussions during the
Read Together Palm Beach County
campaign.
Kristin Calder, Michael Bracci, Edith and Harold Holzer and
Lisa Koza
All of this would not be possible
without the members of our
community who support our
programs, initiatives and events
that help us improve the quality of
life in our community by promoting
and achieving literacy.
I am grateful to the Literacy
Coalition’s amazing board of
directors led these past two years
by Lisa Koza. These volunteers
are dedicated, passionate and
generous in sharing their time and
their talents. They are a part of our
great effort to help change lives
through literacy.
We recognize our many generous
funders and partners in this report.
Our AmeriCorps members,
Our impact is so much greater
in addition to serving at their
with your help and we thank you.
sites and volunteering on the
A special thanks to Margaret
weekends to help other community Blume for her incredible continued
organizations, created little
support that allows our education,
libraries for “Books for Barbers”.
training and outreach services to
We coordinated book donations
thrive at the Blume Literacy Center,
from individuals, schools and
Brenda Medore for her continued
companies like Barnes & Noble and significant support of our programs
ADT & Volunteer Florida, whose
and Ann Hammer, who generously
#BringABook book drive resulted in supported our children’s literacy
more than 11,000 books.
efforts this year.
We celebrated reading with the
community through events with
authors including Scott Eyman,
Kristin Calder, Dr. Robert Avossa, Mike Geltzeiler, Chester
Spellman and Alex Price at the #BringABook book drive
Harold Holzer, David Baldacci and
Chris Bohjalian.
Thank you,
Kristin Calder
Lance and Gale Howden, Lisa Koza, Kristin Calder, Lynn Kalber
and Scott Eyman at the Celebration of Reading
Kristin Calder, CEO with pre-school children
at the 2015 Read for the Record event.
Mayor Jeri Muoio, State Attorney Dave
Aronberg, Clerk & Comptroller Sharon Bock,
Bettina Young, Laurie Gildan, Kristin Calder
and Sharon Hill at the Read Together Kick off
event
Margaret Blume
and Brenda Medore
at the Literacy
Coalition's Annual
Meeting
Ann Hammer
with Author David
Baldacci at the Love
of Literacy Luncheon
Literacy AmeriCorps members Alexis Luis and Kelsi Disch
implement a service project, "Books for Barbers," at Papa
Fernando’s Barbershop in Lake Worth.
3
Literacy
Initiatives
Literacy
Initiatives
Read for the Record
Mayors’ Literacy Initiative Luncheon
The Literacy Coalition celebrated the 2015 Read for the
Record on October 22 by coordinating 800 local volunteers
to read to 14,000 children at 300 childcare centers and
schools throughout Palm Beach County. The campaign
was funded locally by PNC Foundation.
The featured book, Not Norman, by Kelly Bennett was read
to children at the Barnes & Noble and PetSmart in Boynton
Beach. Children enjoyed story time with guest celebrity
readers Tania Rogers of WPTV NewsChannel 5, and Kim
Reckley of PNC Bank, went on a scavenger hunt and
participated in additional hands-on activities.
Mayors and public officials competed in our annual
contest to see which municipality would have the
greatest number of community leaders reading. Out of
16 participating municipalities, 225 officials and staff
members read at more than 111 centers to 7,020 children.
The City of Boynton Beach won for larger cities where 65
adults read to 1,814 students and the Town of Lantana, the
winner for smaller municipalities, had 28 adults read to
610 students. Honorable mentions went to the City of West
Palm Beach, the Village of Palm Springs and the City of
Lake Worth.
Cindy Pilloni, PNC Bank, Ashton Parfitt, Barnes & Noble,
Kristin Calder, Literacy Coalition, Tania Rogers, WPTV
NewsChannel 5, Kim Reckley, PNC Bank and Jason
Hawkins, PetSmart
Dr. Joseph Lee, Kristin Calder, Marta Casas-Celaya,
Richard Radcliffe and Dr. David Christiansen
Featured speaker Dr. David Christiansen, Deputy
Superintendent for the School District of Palm Beach
County, was introduced by Dr. Joseph Lee, an Assistant
Superintendent with the School District. Our
2015-2016 Literacy AmeriCorps members also took
their oath of service administered by City of Boynton
Beach Mayor Jerry Taylor.
Children participated in Not Norman themed activities.
Caitlin Cantrell, Dr. David Christiansen, Chip Block, Mayor
Daniel J. Comerford, III and Ryan Flynn
We thank the members of the Palm Beach County Fire
Rescue, who had 75 firefighters from 25 fire stations read
to more than 2,000 students throughout the county.
Adult Learner Essay Contest
More than 750 adult literacy students from 30 adult
education programs submitted an essay on the topic,
“What is your favorite holiday and why?”
The Literacy Coalition hosted the 8th annual Mayors’
Literacy Initiative Luncheon at the Flagler Steakhouse
at The Breakers, Palm Beach, September 16 to provide
updates for Mayors and city officials about literacy and
education issues. Held in partnership with The Palm
Beach County League of Cities, Inc. and sponsored
by Comcast, the Literacy Coalition encouraged
participation in our literacy efforts including “Read for
the Record” and “Read Together Palm Beach County”.
A scavenger hunt was held at Boynton Beach PetSmart.
The Light in the Ruins author Chris Bohjalian was
interviewed at the finale by Frank Cerabino of
The Palm Beach Post
Participants were honored at a reception on April 5 at
the Hilton Palm Beach Airport sponsored by the School
District of Palm Beach County’s Department of Adult and
Community Education. Guest speaker Carlos Mahecha
of Sinclair Broadcast Group shared his experiences as
an English Language Learner and encouraged the adult
learners to keep furthering their education.
The School District of Palm Beach County supported the
Adult Student Essay Reception.
Read Together 2016 Book Selection Committee
Read Together Palm Beach County
The Literacy Coalition of Palm Beach County coordinated
thousands of adults throughout Palm Beach County in
reading the same book at the same time. The community
reading campaign enticed adults who can read, but
often don’t, to get involved in the habit of reading again.
It promoted community dialogue and engagement as
citizens gather together to discuss key themes.
The 2016 Read Together Palm Beach County book was
The Light in the Ruins by Chris Bohjalian. Bohjalian is the
author of 18 books, most of which were New York Times
bestsellers. His work has been translated into over 30
languages and three times have become movies.
Many local businesses and groups participated by having
the book available at their location or by leading an event
or book discussion group. Participating sponsors included
Starbucks and Park Avenue BBQ & Grille.
For the finale in March, Frank Cerabino of the The Palm
Beach Post interviewed Chris Bohjalian in front of a full
house at the Harriet Himmel Theater. Audience members
were able to write a question for Frank to ask Chris during
the interview. Bohjalian did a book signing before and
after the finale event.
5
Special Events
Special Events
Love of Literacy Luncheon
Great Grown-Up Spelling Bee
Thanks to competitive spellers, the Literacy Coalition
of Palm Beach County raised more than $42,000 with
the Great Grown-Up Spelling Bee. The event was held
October 15 at the Harriet Himmel Theater at CityPlace
and was chaired by Literacy Coalition Board Members
Dr. Rob Gingras and Ginny Neal.
Nearly 20 teams competed in the spell-off. After 22
rounds, it came down to 3 teams: Palm Beach State
College (PBSC), NextEra Energy and Duffy Sports Grill
All-Stars. The Duffy’s team clinched the win by spelling
the word ENCEPHALON. PBSC placed second.
The Literacy Coalition is grateful for the support from
Presenting Sponsor LegalYou; Bee Hive Sponsor
Publix Super Markets Charities; Bee Wordmaster Mike
Sfiropoulos, Palm Beach State College; Bee judges Dr.
William Mech, Florida Atlantic University, Lourdes Marx,
Palm Beach State College and Carol Rose, The Palm
Beach Post and Master of Ceremonies Jon Shainman of
WPTV NewsChannel 5.
Dr. Rob Gingras, Amanda Lundergan, Ginny Neal,
Ariane Miller, Tom Ice, Buzzby Book Bee (Ken
Montgomery), Lisa Koza and Kristin Calder at the Bee.
Kristin Calder, David Baldacci, Fabiola Brumley and Bettina
Young at the Love of Literacy Luncheon.
We thank Bank of America for their 15th year of
support of the event as the Presenting Sponsor
and Brenda Medore for serving as the Platinum
Sponsor. Bettina Young served as Chairman. The
Luncheon, held at the Kravis Center, raised more
than $200,000 for our literacy programs.
Literacy AmeriCorps members entertained the Luncheon
crowd with a musical parody about reading.
Duffy Sports Grill All-Stars celebrate placing first in the Bee.
American Girl Fashion Show
Loop the Lake for Literacy
The sixth annual Loop the Lake for Literacy on February
6 included more than 215 cyclists riding around Lake
Okeechobee in increments of 14, 34, 68 and the full 115
miles.
We recognize Florida Crystals, the Loop Presenting
Sponsor for six years in a row – and thank them along
with Domino Sugar and the Levenger Foundation for
helping to open the world of literacy to hundreds of new
readers! The ride raised more than $73,000 to support
vital literacy programs that assist children and adults.
We thank Dolly Hand who served as our Honorary
Chairman and Park Avenue BBQ & Grille for providing
lunch.
The Loop Chairmen were Tom Streit of Akerman LLP
and Elizabeth Cayson of the Healthcare District of
Palm Beach County. Founding Loop Chairmen Steve
Leveen of the Levenger Foundation and Rob Kennedy
of Daruma Tech and Kathy Metzger of Florida Crystals
contributed to the leadership team.
The 25th annual Love of Literacy Luncheon on
March 10 featured international bestselling
author and literacy advocate David Baldacci.
Mr. Baldacci made a very powerful case that
every socioeconomic problem can be linked
to low reading levels. He noted that very few
communities have organizations like the Literacy
Coalition and that when you take an organization
like the Literacy Coalition for granted, it can easily
go away.
2016 Loop the Lake for Literacy ride
American Girl Fashion Show models before they walked
the runway with their historical dolls.
The fourth annual American Girl Fashion Show
was a fun-filled event for girls and their dolls on
April 16 at The Marriott in Boca Raton. More than
120 local girls modeled historical and current
fashions in an entertaining and educational look
at how generations of American girls have used
clothing to express their own unique style and
personality. Nearly 1,000 guests enjoyed the
experience, which included a two-hour fashion
show, refreshments and access to the American
Girl marketplace.
Maggie Dickenson of U.S. Bank and Nancy Vera
served as Co-Chairmen working with a volunteer
committee of 40 members who helped raise
more than $83,000 for the Literacy Coalition’s
children’s education programs. We recognize
Presenting Sponsor Moroco Orthodontics and
Platinum Sponsor Saadia I. Mohammed, D.D.S. of
Palm Beach Pediatric Dentistry.
John Metzger, Brian O’Malley, Kristin Calder, Tom Streit
and Kathy Metzger celebrate at the 2016 Loop the Lake
for Literacy kick-off event.
Nancy Vera, Kristin Calder, Dr. Jacqui Moroco Maloney and
Maggie Dickenson at the American Girl Fashion Show.
7
Adult & Family Literacy
PROGRAMS
Glades Family Education
Literacy AmeriCorps
Serves adults and children from the Belle
Glade, Pahokee, and South Bay area. Adults
learn English while improving their reading and
writing skills. A preschool class operates for the
young children of our adult students.
• 93 adult students and 19 children were served
• 81 percent of adult students tested made
significant gains in one or more tested skills
(Reading, Listening and Speaking)
• 100 percent of the preschool children demonstrated improvement in their
language, cognitive and early reading skills
Recruits, trains and supervises up to 40
members who contribute 68,000 hours
of service in tutoring, mentoring and
participating in meaningful community
service projects
• 1,043 adult learners were assisted with
reading, English and employability skills
• 1,126 at-risk youth were coached, tutored
and mentored for academic success
• 161 children received tutoring and literacy enrichment to improve reading skills
• 601 children and youth were provided with homework help
Village Readers Family Education
Workplace and
Community Education
Teaches adults the English they need to
obtain a family-sustaining job and helps their
elementary school age children improve their
reading skills
• 105 adults and 50 children were served in
the evening program
• 31 children received afternoon tutoring in
reading and comprehension
• 75 percent of the children tutored made significant improvement in reading
• 80 percent of adults tested demonstrated learning gains in their English language skills
• 36 volunteers served 1204 hours
Provides instruction for adults who need
help improving their English language skills,
obtaining a GED, or addressing specific
workplace needs
• 4 students earned their GED
• 4 students passed workplace
certification exams
• 2 students passed the Naturalization Test and became U.S. citizens
• 89 adults were served at: Faith Farm, Lake
Shore Apartments, City of West Palm
Beach, City of West Palm Beach Water Distribution Division, Frenchman’s Creek, Healey Center and Summerfields Farm
Thank you to our program supporters: BJ's Charitable Foundation • Family Foundation (Anonymous)
Mary Alice Fortin Foundation • Honda Classic Cares/Children’s Healthcare Charity • Ibis Charities Foundation • Libra Foundation
Sunny and Abe Rosenberg Foundation • TJX Foundation • Wells Fargo
Adult & Family Literacy
Rosy and her son Dylan share time together reading.
Glades Family Education
Rosy had been a nurse technician in Mexico, but
with limited English she took a job as a cashier in
the U.S. She was bullied and taken advantage of
because she didn’t speak English.
In 2011, her husband lost his job and was unable to
find work. He began a food distribution business
and needed help with the legal, logistic and
administrative aspects of the business. Rosy had
learned some English, but knew she needed to
improve her language skills to help her family.
The Glades Family Education program was the
perfect school because her son Dylan could
attend preschool at the program as well. He has
excelled academically and is now able to speak
English, read simple words and understand
mathematical concepts. Dylan can now be
successful when he goes to kindergarten.
Rosy said, "I am so thankful we were able to
enroll in this school. What we have obtained is
something that no one will ever be able to take
away from us.” She appreciates the time the
teachers dedicated to helping her and her sonnot to just learn a language, but also to learn
many other skills as a parent, a member of the
community and as a business person.
Ervin was proud to share his graduation with AmeriCorps
members Laurel Considine (left) and Lamees Aisami (right).
Literacy AmeriCorps
Ervin grew up with five brothers in Haiti sleeping
on roofs of buildings during the earthquake as he
begged for food for his brothers. He moved to the
U.S. hoping to live with his father, but came to find
that his father had started a new family and did
not want him. Ervin's experience as an immigrant
in high school was tumultuous. He was living with
a relative who was being evicted at the end of the
month. This shy kid with a sweet disposition was
just trying to survive. How was he supposed to
care about graduation?
Ervin was denied food stamps and rejected by all
of the jobs he'd applied to. His graduation coach
Lamees worked to find resources for him. A former
AmeriCorps member, Laurel, helped Ervin find a
place to live at the Vita Nova Villages. He passed
his FCAT Reading test and brought his GPA up to
a 2.5. Ervin walked across the stage in May with
a high school diploma with his head held high.
He has worked so hard to push through his many
obstacles. He now maintains optimism and hope.
Ervin said, "I never thought that I would be that
lucky in life. They [AmeriCorps members] helped
me to get here, where I am right now. They make
me feel like the strongest person alive. I was able
to finish strong because of their motivation and
support."
9
Adult & Family Literacy
Edeline and her family work on a Parents and Children
Together (PACT) activity.
Village Readers Family
Education
Edeline moved to the U.S. in 2005. She was a
teacher in Haiti, but lacking English language skills
she got a job at a dry cleaning business. In 2012,
Edeline decided to go to school and improve her
English. She learned about the Village Readers
Family Education program through her children’s
school, Village Academy. The program would also
directly benefit her children, Nicole and Antoine,
with reading tutoring, homework help and an
evening literacy enrichment program.
Edeline has made great strides in her English skills
and in her education. She now communicates
more effectively with her boss and feels
comfortable asking questions and explaining
herself. She would like to get her GED and become
a licensed practical nurse. With encouragement
from her teachers, she enrolled in a pre-GED class.
She shared that she is incredibly grateful for the
computer skills she learned at Village Readers,
as she was able to be almost completely selfsufficient with her online classes.
Edeline’s English classes have helped her to
become an advocate for her children. She
attended a School Board meeting and “asked a
question in front of all the good native Englishspeakers and TV cameras.” She is proud that her
children finished the school year reading above
grade level.
Paul and Darin are proud of their educational achievements.
Workplace and Community
Education
Paul almost didn’t believe his eyes and Darin
cried when each found out he had passed the
GED exam. They had been attending Workplace
and Community Education Program GED classes
since they began their time at Faith Farm. Earning
the GED is a proud accomplishment and they are
looking forward to the doors it will open for them.
Darin’s mother passed away when he was five and
his father was emotionally unavailable. His brother
raised him and taught him to be a man. When his
brother passed away, Darin’s drug addiction took
over. He found himself without a job and homeless
until he entered Faith Farm Ministries.
Paul bounced between his grandmother’s and
mom’s house. School wasn’t a priority. At 16 years
old, he dropped out of school and started working.
He got married and had four children. Working
dead-end jobs wore on him and he became
depressed and started drinking heavily. He
separated from his wife and realized he needed a
change. He needed to get healthy, get his diploma
and set a good example for his kids.
Darin and Paul were determined to leave the Faith
Farm program with their high school diplomas.
Darin described their Literacy Coalition instructors
as “teachers with a passion” and Paul appreciated
that the teachers took time to give students oneto-one attention and made sure they understood
before moving on.
Children’s Literacy
PROGRAMS
After School Reads
Budding Readers
Brings literature-based reading, science
and math lessons to children in afterschool
programs to help them increase their
vocabulary and reading comprehension
•2,700 books were distributed to children and after school sites
•800 children were enriched by the program at 18 sites in 9 communities
Provides weekly one-to-one interactive
reading sessions for three-year-old children
to help them to develop early literacy skills
•15 Reading Partners served 381 children
•4,553 books were distributed to children to begin a home library
•91.4 percent of the children demonstrated development in early literacy skills needed for future success in school
Building Better Readers
Parent-Child Home
Recruits, trains and supports volunteers to tutor
children who are reading below grade level
• 355 first and second grade students in
24 Title I schools were tutored by
152 volunteer tutors
• 70 percent of these students were at least 50 percent closer to grade level reading at the end of the school year
• 19 volunteers tutored 21 children afterschool at the Blume Literacy Center
Promotes verbal interaction, parent-child
bonding and school readiness skills through a
home visiting program
•18,917 home visits were conducted with 573
families
•More than 4,441 books and 4,445
educational toys were distributed
•100 percent of families increased positive
verbal interactions
•100 percent of children increased positive
behaviors
Reach Out and Read
Turning Bullies into Buddies
Prepares young children for school success
by partnering with pediatricians who
distribute books and encourage families to
read together.
•57,493 books were distributed by 67 practitioners at 37 clinics
Brings an anti-bullying curriculum, using
high-quality children’s literature, to children in
afterschool programs
•870 children in 18 after school programs
and summer camps participated in the literature-based, social-emotional learning program
•4,990 children and adults participated in Pink Shirt Day, a bullying prevention event
Thank you to our program supporters: Admirals Cove Cares Charitable Foundation
Celia Lipton Farris & Victor W. Farris Foundation • William R. Kenan, Jr. Charitable Trust • Brenda Medore
11
Children’s Literacy
Students enjoy reading followed by a hands-on STEM
activity.
After School Reads
With the permanent addition of a literacy-based
STEM (science, technology, engineering and
math) curriculum to the course offerings, After
School Reads (ASR) saw a huge amount of
growth this year. ASR welcomed 12 new sites to
the program, complementing 6 returning sites.
The director of Palm Springs Elementary
raved, “The After School Reads Program was
fabulous! The kids loved reading the stories and
completing a project afterwards. Their favorite
project was making rockets and launching them.
Plus, the books donated by the Literacy Coalition
are a wonderful treat for our kids!”
Basing each lesson in high quality children’s
literature, students launched rockets, designed
and built boats, created electrical circuits and
engaged in many other hands-on activities. The
use of inexpensive, reusable materials is one of
the reasons why afterschool staff members like
ASR.
Forest Hill Elementary’s after school staff said
the children wanted to do the experiments again
and were eager to show their parents what they
had learned.
Children’s Literacy
Volunteer Sheelin helped Malia thrive and improve her
reading skills.
Terrell enjoys a book with Reading Partner Mattie Williams at
Atkins Tender Loving Care Child Care Center.
Budding Readers
When Terrell started the program, he did not know
his letters or show much interest in books and
reading. Through his participation in the Budding
Readers program he has benefitted significantly
from the weekly one-to-one interactive reading
sessions with his Reading Partner, Mrs. Williams.
Terrell truly enjoys the one-to-one time with
her and their weekly routine of reciting nursery
rhymes, singing the ABC song and identifying the
letters. He receives a monthly read-aloud book for
his own personal home library.
Terrell receives positive reinforcement and
individualized instruction weekly in a safe,
nurturing and literacy rich environment. He is now
eager to fully engage in literacy activities during
his weekly session as well as in the classroom.
His teacher, Ms. Boykins, said she hears Terrell
spelling out words on signs throughout the child
care center. He now handles books with care and
is focused, attentive and interested during story
time. He was able to sit in front of his classmates
with the monthly take home book selection and
retell the story to the class while going through the
book page by page. His confidence and ability to
communicate have increased dramatically.
Building Better Readers
First grader Malia joined the Building Better Readers
tutoring program in October after her parents
learned that she was not doing well in reading at
school. Reading at a level D, Malia didn’t enjoy
reading and suffered from anxiety when asked to
read aloud.
On her first day of tutoring at the Literacy
Coalition, Malia entered crying and begging to go
home. However, as she began working with her
encouraging, patient tutor, Sheelin, Malia’s distress
lessened, and she started making excellent progress
in her reading and her comprehension.
By the end of the school year, Malia was reading
texts at a level M, significantly above a proficient first
grade reading level. Her tutor loved seeing Malia’s
enjoyment of reading grow. She saw significant
improvement in Malia’s decoding skills, fluency and
comprehension and was thrilled as Malia began to
uncover deeper, hidden meanings in texts.
Seeing Malia blossom and gain confidence was
just as exciting for Sheelin as it was for her parents.
Malia’s father couldn’t believe it when Malia began
leaving her tutoring sessions wanting to read aloud
to him on the way home. He is so grateful to the
Literacy Coalition and the Building Better Readers
program for turning his daughter into a lifelong
reader.
Five year-old Victorya graduated from The Parent-Child
Home Program with key early literacy skills.
Parent-Child Home
When Victorya began preschool last year,
her teacher called her mother, Jill, in for a
conference to share with her how bright
her daughter was and that she was more
advanced than the other children in her
class. The teacher was quite curious about
what Jill had been doing with her at home. Jill
immediately gave credit to The Parent-Child
Home Program (PCHP) for preparing her
daughter for school. Once the teacher learned
about PCHP, she inquired about enrolling her
own young child.
Jill shares with her friends, family and
community that PCHP’s two home visits per
week taught her daughter many new concepts
and behaviors, but that one of the greatest
lessons was that Jill learned to make more time
for her daughter.
In 2014, when Jill came across an opening for a
PCHP Home Visitor position, she jumped at the
opportunity to apply. Needless to say, because
of her enthusiasm and firsthand knowledge of
the program, Jill was a perfect fit and was hired
to fill the Home Visitor position. Since becoming
a part of the PCHP team, through Boys Town
South Florida, Jill obtained her Associates
Degree and is due to complete her Bachelor’s
Degree in 2016.
13
Partners
Children’s Literacy
Diamond View Elementary instructor Rachel Roche is proud of
students Bianca and Nick for implementing newly acquired
skills in and out of the classroom.
Turning Bullies into Buddies
In afterschool programs and elementary schools,
Turning Bullies into Buddies (TBIB) lessons and the
celebration of Pink Shirt Day touched lives across
Palm Beach County. At Diamond View Elementary,
students Bianca and Nick, along with Reading
Resource instructor, Rachel Roche, shared how TBIB
and Pink Shirt Day helped create a positive school
climate at Diamond View.
From the TBIB program literature, including Wonder
by RJ Palacio, Bianca said she learned to be more
accepting, kind and caring. She even found herself
being nicer to her brothers at home. Nick shared
how he became kinder through the lessons that went
schoolwide with the books and activities.
After meeting Pink Shirt Say featured speaker, "Josh
the Doorman," Nick chose his ‘gesture of kindness’
and started holding the cafeteria doors open after
breakfast and greeting each student as they passed
through on their way to class. Nick related to some of
Josh’s struggles and was inspired to see how being
kind and positive helped Josh.
Beyond Nick and Bianca, many students in the school
showed positive behavior changes after completing
the TBIB activities. Nick shared a lesson learned
from program literature, Because Amelia Smiled
that, “If you are kind to someone, they will be kind to
someone else.”
Dr. Marina Oporta demonstrates to a young patient
how fun reading can be.
Reach Out and Read
Dr. Marina Oporta has been a part of the
Literacy Coalition's Reach Out and Read
program since she began as a nurse
practitioner in the pediatric clinic of Juan E.
Batista in West Palm Beach six years ago.
She says, "I love to read and encourage my
patients and parents to read also. Reading
not only builds language skills, it also helps
with imagination, bonding with parents
and learning about the world. I have seen
a group of siblings, that range from one to
three years of age, since they were little.
They love the books they get and they read
them to each other!"
The Reach Out and Read program gives
young children a foundation for success
by incorporating books into pediatric care
and encouraging families to read aloud
together.
21st Century Community Learning Centers
Achievement Centers for Children & Families
Adopt-a-Family of the Palm Beaches
After School Connections at Franklin Academy
Amicus Medical Group
Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens
April is for Authors
The ARC of Palm Beach County
Atkins Tender Loving Care Center
Barnes & Noble
Believers Academy
Belvedere Elementary
Benoist Farms Elementary
Berkshire Elementary Afterschool
Boca Raton Elementary
Boca Raton Elementary Afterschool
Boynton Beach City Library
Boys Town South Florida
Bridges at Belle Glade
Bridges at Boynton Beach
Bridges at Highland
Bridges at Lake Park
Bridges at Lake Worth
Bridges at Lake Worth West
Bridges at Northwood
Bridges at Pahokee
Bridges at Riviera Beach
Bridges at West Palm Beach
Bright Futures Child Development Center
Brito Medical Center
Carlos Viera-Santos, MD
Center for Family Services of Palm Beach
County
Children’s Care Center
Children’s Clinic
Children’s Physicians
Children’s Services Council of Palm Beach
County
Cholee Lake Elementary Afterschool
City of Greenacres C.A.R.E.S.
City of West Palm Beach
C.L. Brumback Primary Care Clinics/Health
Care District of Palm Beach County: Healy
Center
CO Taylor/Kirklane Elementary Afterschool
Coleman Park Community Center
Community Partners, Inc.
Coral Sunset Elementary
Creative Learning Experience
Delray Pediatrics
DeVos-Blum Family YMCA of Boynton Beach
Diamond View Elementary Afterschool
Dolly Hand Cultural Arts Center
Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune Elementary
Easter Seals/Igoe–Amar Child Development
Center
Edna Runner Community Center
EdVenture Charter School
Egret Lake Elementary Afterschool
El Sol
Faith Farm Ministries
Faith’s Place
Families First of Palm Beach County
Family Health Care Services
Farmworker Children’s Center, Inc.
Florence Fuller Child Development Centers
Forest Hill Elementary Afterschool
Forest Park Elementary
Foundcare
Freedom Shores Elementary Afterschool
Frenchman’s Creek
Galaxy E3 Elementary
Galaxy Elementary Afterschool
Gentle Medicine
Glades Initiative
Global Learning Center
Gove Elementary
Greenacres Elementary Afterschool
The Guatemalan-Maya Center
Gulfstream Goodwill’s Transitions to Life
Academy
Hammock Pointe Elementary
Healthy Mothers Healthy Babies Coalition of
Palm Beach County, Inc.
Heritage Elementary Afterschool
Highland Elementary Afterschool
Holy Cross Catholic Preschool and Center
HomeSafe
Hope-Centennial Elementary
Indian Pines Elementary
Indian Pines Elementary Afterschool
In the Pines, Inc.
J.C. Mitchell Elementary
Jean Y. Monice, MD.
Juan Batista, MD, PA
Junior League of Boca Raton
Jupiter Elementary
Jupiter Pediatric Associates
K.E. Cunningham/Canal Point Elementary
Kiddie Haven Preschool, Inc.
Kids R Kreative Learning Center
Lake Park Elementary
Lake Park Elementary Afterschool
Lake Shore Apartments
Lake Worth Pediatrics
Lantana Elementary
Lantana Elementary Afterschool
The Lord’s Place, Inc.
Loving Tender Pediatrics
Mandel Public Library of West Palm Beach
Milagro Center
Mission Medical Center
My First Steps Preschool
National Council of Jewish Women
SE Atlantic Section
New Hope Charities
Opportunity Early Childhood Education Center
Orchard View Elementary
Pahokee Pediatric Associates
Palm Beach County Education Commission
Palm Beach County Health Department
Palm Beach County Library System
Palm Beach Gardens Elementary Afterschool
Palm Beach Pediatrics
Palm Springs Elementary Afterschool
Pearl City C.A.T.S.
Pediatric Associates
Pediatric Center of Belle Glade
Physicians Park Medical Group
Pine Grove Elementary Afterschool
Pine Jog Elementary
Pioneer Park Elementary
Plumosa School of the Arts
Prime Time of Palm Beach County
Redlands Christian Migrant Association
Rolling Green Elementary
Roosevelt Elementary
Royal Palm Pediatrics
Safe Haven Community Resource Center
The School District of Palm Beach County
Seitz Pediatrics
Seminole Trails Elementary
Soma Medical Center
South Grade Elementary
South Olive Community Center
South Olive Elementary Afterschool
Spirit of Giving Network
Starlight Cove Elementary
St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church
Summerfields Farm
Take Stock in Children
Tenet Florida Physicians Services
Thelma B. Pittman Jupiter Preschool
Tiny Tikes Academy
Village Academy
Vita Nova
West Gate Elementary Afterschool
Westward Elementary
Women’s Circle
YWCA Child Development Centers
Zion Lutheran Afterschool
15
Financial Report
Audited
Assets
Cash and Investments
$ 1,580,790
Grants and Allocations Receivable 535,104
Unconditional Promises to Give
1,690
Prepaid Expenses and Other Assets 21,673
Property and Equipment, Net
3,141,041
Split Interest Agreements
232,742
Total Assets
$ 5,513,040
We deeply appreciate the invaluable in-kind
services from the following contributors:
Adopt-a-Family of the Palm Beaches
ADT/Volunteer Florida Book Drive
Barnes & Noble Booksellers
Believers Academy, Inc.
Boynton Beach City Library
Daruma Tech
EdVenture Charter School
Eleven Salon & Spa
Farmworker Children’s Council
Gulfstream Goodwill Academies, Inc.
HCI – The Life Issues Publisher
Holyfield & Thomas, LLC
Ice Cream Club
Levenger Foundation
The Lord’s Place, Inc.
Macaroni Kid, Boynton Beach/
Delray Beach/Lake Worth
Mandel Public Library of West Palm Beach
Minuteman Press of Boca Raton
Multi-Image Group
Northern Trust
Om Yoga & Wellness Studios
Palm Beach County Library System
The Palm Beach Post
Park Avenue BBQ & Grille
Reach Out and Read, Inc.
RCMA
Scholastic Book Fairs
The School District of Palm Beach County
Sinclair Broadcast Group
Take Stock in Children of Palm Beach County
Vita Nova, Inc.
WPTV NewsChannel 5
Liabilities and Net Assets
Accounts Payable
$ 174,756
Deferred Revenue
1,700
Accruals
55,219
Refundable Advance
150,000
Total Liabilities
381,675
Net Assets
Unrestricted
4,439,185
Temporarily Restricted
692,180
Total Net Assets
5,131,365
Total Liabilities and Net Assets $ 5,513,040
Tandy Robinson
Karen Rogers
Sunny and Abe Rosenberg
Foundation
Samuels Family Foundation
The Lawrence A. Sanders
Foundation
Schmidt Family Foundation
The School District of
Palm Beach County
Searcy Denney Scarola Barnhart
& Shipley, P.A.
Share Your Wine
Jorgette D. Smith
Smith & Knibbs, Inc.
Squire Patton Boggs
Tom and Chris Streit
Sugar Cane Growers Cooperative
Sun-Sentinel Children’s Fund/
McCormick Foundation
SunTrust
Susan O. Taylor
TJX Foundation
The Town of Palm Beach United Way
United Way of Palm Beach County
U.S. Bank
Kathryn & Leo Vecellio
Volunteer Florida
Bernard Weinstein Charitable Lead
Trust
Wells Fargo
Whole Health, LLC
Wille Family Foundation
Emily Wilson
Wisteria Foundation
WPBF 25 News
WPTV NewsChannel 5
Bettina and Greg Young
Paul and Nancy Zarcadoolas
Greenberg Traurig, P.A.
Haile, Shaw & Pfaffenberger, P.A.
Hammer Family Charitable
Foundation
Honda Classic Cares/Children’s
Healthcare Charity
Mary Hunt Love Education
Foundation
Ibis Charities Foundation
Ice Legal, P. A.
Jarden Consumer Solutions
Community Fund
Jersey Mike’s Subs
Jupiter Community High School
William R. Kenan, Jr. Charitable Trust
The King’s Academy
The Kolter Group
Charles Lafitte Foundation
Lattner Family Foundation
Levenger Foundation
Lewis, Longman & Walker, P.A.
Libra Foundation
Lynn University
Brenda Medore
MNC Consultants, Inc.
Moroco Orthodontics
Ginny Neal
NCCI Holdings, Inc.
Office Depot Foundation
Bernadette O’Grady
Palm Beach Pediatric Dentistry
Palm Beach State College
Plastridge Insurance
PNC Foundation
Prime Time Palm Beach County, Inc.
Project Transition
Publix Super Markets Charities, Inc.
RC Muir Management, LLC
Robert Richards
The following have helped make our
work possible this year through gifts
and grants of $1,500 and above:
Akerman LLP
Anbinder Family Foundation
AT&T
Bank of America Charitable
Foundation
BJ's Charitable Foundation
Margaret Blume
City of Boynton Beach
Children’s Services Council of
Palm Beach County
Chiara and Tom Clark
The Cogen Family
Comcast
COX Media Group, The Palm Beach
Post/Palm Beach Daily News
Critton Luttier & Coleman, LLP
Ann Degenhart
Donald and Irene Dizney
Dollar General Literacy Foundation
Domino Foods
Celia Lipton Farris & Victor W. Farris
Foundation
First Republic Bank
R.G. & R.B. Fisher Foundation, Inc.
Florida Atlantic University
Florida Crystals Corporation
Florida Power & Light
Foley Family Charitable Foundation
Mary Alice Fortin Foundation
Friends of the Palm Beach County
Library
Gentle Medicine Associates
Laurie Gildan
GL Homes
Goldman Sachs
Great Charity Challenge
Statement of Financial Position As
of June 30, 2015
Donors
Statement of Financial Position
Statement of Activities
Year Ended June 30, 2015
Revenues and Public Support
Gifts and Grants
$ 4,068,499
Memberships
12,600
Fundraising Revenue 429,928
Interest Income
2,343
In-Kind Contributions
325,533
Program Service Fees
233,428
Change in Split Interest Agreements(19,585)
Total Revenues and Public Support 5,052,746
Expenses
Programs
4,544,313
Management and General
257,597
Fundraising
337,394
Total Expenses
5,139,304
Change in Net Assets
Net Assets at Beginning of Year
Net Assets at End of Year
$
Percent Used for Fundraising
(86,558)
5,217,923
5,131,365
7%
17
Board of
Directors
Advisory Panel
Kathy Adkins
Community Volunteer
Dr. Alina Alonso
Palm Beach County Health
Department
Laura Corry
South Florida Water Management
District
Leanna Landsmann
Scripps Florida
Bernadette O’Grady *
WPTV NewsChannel 5
Steve Leveen
Levenger Foundation
Jeffrey Piliero
SunTrust Bank
Brenda Medore
Community Volunteer
Peter Robbins
Florida Power & Light
The Honorable Jeri Muoio
Mayor of West Palm Beach
Carol Rose
The Palm Beach Post
Elizabeth Neuhoff
Neuhoff Communications
Lourdes Sanchez
Om Yoga & Wellness
Studios
Jonathan Porges
Greater Boynton Beach Chamber of
Commerce
Tandy Robinson
Goldman Sachs
Douglas Crane
Palm Beach County Library System
Rocki Rockingham
Jarden Consumer Solutions
Elaine Alvarez
Community Volunteer
Nancy Dockerty
Dockerty Romer & Co.
Dr. Kevin Ross
Lynn University
Ryan Beiser
PNC
George Elmore
Hardrives
Tim Snow
The George Snow Scholarship Fund
Margaret Blume
Community Volunteer
Stephanie Glavin
Bank of America
Samantha Vassallo
SunTrust
Michael Bracci
Northern Trust
Karen Granger
Greater Delray Beach Chamber of
Commerce
Anne and Peter Vegso
and Kim Weiss
HCI Communications
Cheryl Budd
NCCI Holdings, Inc.
Tim Burke
The Palm Beach Post
Marta Casas-Celaya
Comcast
The Honorable Susan Haynie
Mayor of Boca Raton
Gale Howden
Founding President
Literacy Coalition
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
President
Lisa Koza
Northern Trust
Vice Presidents
Susan Rabinowtiz
Bank of America
Tom Streit
Akerman LLP
Secretary
Kathy Metzger
Florida Crystals
Corporation
Bettina Young
Community Volunteer
Laurie L. Gildan *
Greenberg Traurig, P.A.
Immediate
Past President
Robert Patterson
SunTrust
Leonard Gray
Community Volunteer
DIRECTORS
Aurora Arthay
Palm Beach County
Library System
Dr. Regine Bataille
Gentle Medicine
Associates
Treasurer
Lynn Kalber
Community Volunteer
Elizabeth Cayson
Health Care District of
Palm Beach County
Parliamentarians
Robert Gingras
Palm Beach State
College
Maggie Dickenson *
U.S. Bank
Joan Williams
Searcy Denney Scarola
Barnhart & Shipley, P.A.
David Fleisher
Lynn University
Sharon Hill
Community Volunteer
Alma Horne
Martin Luther King, Jr.
Coordinating Committee
Lawrence Katz
Wells Fargo
Dean Lavallee
Park Avenue BBQ & Grille
Sheryl Simon
TD Bank
Kenneth G. Spillias *
Founding Board Member
Kelly Starling
AT&T
Matthew Turko
Haile Shaw &
Pfaffenberger, P.A.
Nancy Vera
Community Volunteer
* Past President
Founding President
Gale G. Howden
Amanda Lundergan
Ice Legal, P.A.
Ken Montgomery
Barnabas Consulting
Group, Inc.
Ginny Neal
Neal, Crossman &
Associates
19
How you
can help
Literacy
Coalition Staff
Imelda Neary
Inventory Specialist
Diane Pacheco
Chief Development and
Compliance Officer
Carol Rasowsky
Budding Readers Assistant
Manager
Megan Richards
Director of Education &
Family Literacy
Jeanne Siccone
Director of Children’s Literacy
Kristin Calder
Chief Executive Officer
Nancy Birardi
Turning Bullies into Buddies
Coordinator
Kathy Coppola
Finance Director
Cobi Dunn
Director of Parent-Child
Home
Molly Felmet
Reach Out and Read
Coordinator
Meredith Fraysure
After School Reads Manager
Jeanne Heavilin
Building Better Readers
Coordinator
Brad Hertzberg
Literacy AmeriCorps
Manager
Connie Hoke
Operations and Project
Coordinator
Kelly Matczak
Chief Communications
Officer
Audrey McDonough
Director of AmeriCorps
Karla Moradel
Administrative Assistant
Budding Readers Partners
Julia Bullard
Sue Crooks
Catherine Fiore
Orsolya Ficsor
Kristine Keshishian
Lorraine Lopez-Gregory
LuAnn Mathis
Sarah McKnight
Janeen Pelser
Carol Rasowsky
Susan Redfield
Donna Valbuena
Cecile Vilardo
Linda Warlick
Judy Weiss
Mattie Williams
Glades Family Education
Ana Alvarez
Coordinator
Laura Calderon
Coordinator
Alejandro Garzon
Manager
Elidia Guzman
Assistant Coordinator
Fabiola Mercedes
Custodian
Village Readers Family
Education
Amy Fuller
Children’s Program
Coordinator
Siena Mayers
Manager
Cynthia Michelet
Children’s Program Assistant
Shontoya Saddler
Instructor
Berline Simervil
Career Coach
Richard Vieira
Instructor
Workplace and Community
Education Instructors
Gerri Malcolm
Steve Madhoun
Literacy AmeriCorps
Lauren Andrews • Justin Bell • Brianna Blanchard • Brandon Carroll • Christina Chann • Candace Childress
Kelsi Disch • Cedricka Edwards • Lisa Gibson • Lauren Glasgow • Camille Hanes • Eric Hicks • Taylor Holter
Leah Levy • Irijah Kanoyton • Alexis Luis • Dominique Marseille • Janel McCorvey • Madison Messinger
Patrick Mitchell • David Neifeld • Keira Pelletier • Nicole Phillips • Sara Rigoliosi • Bethany Robbins
Alicia Rooney • Lindsey Scorzelli • Tanner Speetjens • Hana Svetlovics • Janeen Talbott • Jasmine Thomas
Monica Torio • Rich Vieira • Miranda Wehde • Daniella Williams
Volunteer
You can volunteer to tutor
an adult or child in need
of literacy skills. There are
also opportunities to help
an adult learn English and/
or prepare to take the GED
exam. No experience is
required as we will provide
training.
Make a Donation
You can help many of our neighbors in Palm
Beach County change their lives and establish
a legacy of literacy for their families. Your
tax-deductible donation will provide literacy
services to adults, children and families who
are working to achieve a better
life by improving their literacy
skills. Ask us about other ways
to give including planned giving
and stock transfers.
Read to a Child
Read together everyday. Point
out print everywhere. Do not
limit yourself to reading books
with your child. Street signs and
cereal boxes count too. Tell your
child how much you enjoy
reading with him or her. This
attention lets them know
they are special and loved.
Book Drives
Organizations and individuals can conduct
book drives for the Literacy Coalition. The books
that are collected are used with the children’s
literacy programs operated by the Literacy
Coalition such as Budding
Readers or Reach Out and
Read or they are distributed
to partner agencies serving
economically disadvantaged
children.
Attend an Event
There are various
events to attend
throughout the
year that support
our literacy
programs and
initiatives. Events include Loop for Literacy,
the Love of Literacy Luncheon and the
Great Grown-Up Spelling Bee.
Promote Literacy
You can support the mission of the Literacy
Coalition and become an advocate
for literacy. Share our posts
and information on your
social media accounts.
Follow LiteracyPBC today!
21
The Blume Literacy Center
on the
Brenda & C.P. Medore Campus
3651 Quantum Blvd.
Boynton Beach, FL 33426
(561) 279-9103
www.LiteracyPBC.org