RIF staff Caroline Phillips greets Kiwanis RIF supporter Herbert Lamp of Conroe, TX.
Hello! I’m Stephen Leach, vice president of government relations and community outreach, guest blogging about a truly wonderful opportunity and quality partnership. Kiwanis International and local Kiwanis clubs have been long-standing supporters of Reading Is Fundamental and our Books for Ownership program in cities and towns across the country. In many communities you can find dedicated Kiwanians volunteering with local RIF programs helping to raise book budgets, serving as guest readers, and in a number of these programs, it’s the Kiwanis club and its members running the entire program at a local site. The incoming first lady of the Texas Oklahoma Kiwanis district, Joyce Curry, has seen firsthand how books and reading have had a positive impact on her own children and the children in the town where she resides, Minealo, Texas. She decided to further the partnership between Kiwanis and Reading Is Fundamental by making RIF the First Lady’s Project for 2010—2011. Mrs. Curry invited me and Community Outreach Manager Caroline Phillip, to Abilene, Texas, last week for the annual Texas/Oklahoma district convention to officially announce RIF to the members and to introduce us to the many wonderful Kiwanians of this district.
It was not a surprise that we found a number of the members already actively engaged in RIF programs throughout these two states. We met Carleen Campbell, whose Kiwanis-sponsored RIF program has been operating for over 20 years and she estimated that they have distributed over 6,000 books to children in Stillwater, Oklahoma. We also met Herbert Lamp whose club is celebrating its 10th year as the Conroe Friendly City Kiwanis RIF program. He remarked at how excited the children of Conroe, Texas are on RIF day.
In honor of her tremendous support, we are donating a multicultural book collection to a site of Mrs. Curry’s choice and will work with her throughout the year to spread RIF’s mission to as many Kiwanians and clubs as we can. We are very thankful to have such a dedicated, hardworking advocate for literacy as First Lady Joyce Curry!
Yes, we did it AGAIN! So, what is IT? The Senate Subcommittee on Appropriations for Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies yesterday reinstated Reading Is Fundamental for the requested $24.8 million into the FY11 budget the Subcommittee will recommend to the full Senate Appropriations Committee later this week. We thank Senator Harkin and all the members of the Subcommittee for the trust they have placed in RIF; we will continue to work hard to maintain the high quality of books and literacy services provided by this funding to the children most at risk of failure to read.
RIF says THANK YOU to each of you who have assisted in sending emails, making phone calls, holding individual meetings with Senators and/or their staff, and all the other ways you have showed support for books being placed in the hands of the children who need them the most to build a solid education foundation.
As noted in our remarks after the House Subcommittee reinstated RIF, we know there is still considerable work to be done on the FY11 budget; however, we take this moment to savor yesterday’s action in the Senate and to shower our appreciation on all who have stood with us!
And you thought the reported earthquake was truly an earthquake in DC this morning? No, no, no…it was the RIF team doing a happy dance! We write to share with you that an initial step - among many steps yet to be taken - has successfully been negotiated in this year’s REINSTATE RIF’S FUNDING campaign. Last evening the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Education approved our requested $24.8 million in the FY11 appropriations bill. While this must still go to the full Committee in the coming days and then through additional twists and turns, this is a great victory for the children and families served by RIF! From outside the budget to a subcommittee putting RIF back INTO the budget – well, we’re giddy and the earth moved!
Thank you to each and every person who sent an email, made a phone call, wrote a letter, paid a visit to a member of Congress….your many efforts made the difference. RIF had a long list of signatures of support from members that showed in the overall list from the subcommittee. We will be calling on all of you again in the weeks and months to come as this process continues; but wow, does this feel great. Please know that we are showering bouquets of thanks your way today!
Finally, a BIG thank you to Chairman Obey and the members of the Subcommittee who demonstrated their confidence in RIF. We will continue to work hard to hold that trust.
Congresswoman Markey shown with me after selecting a book to share with a special young person.
Hi! This is Krista Heckler, Manager of Government Relations at RIF. Recently I attended the Centennial BOCES Annual Outstanding Migrant Students Award Celebration at Valley High School in Gilcrest, Colorado. This celebration recognizes the current graduates from high school and those who have consistently done an outstanding job throughout the year. Centennial BOCES Migrant RIF Program coordinator, Christine Muldoon, noted their RIF program serves many of these outstanding students and shared that many of these students and families would not have books in the home if it were not for the RIF program. After the celebration, students and their families were able to browse through a variety of RIF books and choose one to take home and keep. The students were excited about choosing and keeping another book!
Congresswoman Betsy Markey was the keynote speaker at the event and noted the importance of reading and stated that these outstanding students and their parents recognize the important role literacy and education can play in their daily lives and their future. She congratulated the students for their accomplishments and noted that the BOCES Migrant RIF Program was the National RIF Program of the Month in December. Congresswoman Markey encouraged the students to keep reading and keep learning!
A Capitol Hill staffer shows off the book he selected!
Hi! This is Krista Heckler, Manager of Government Relations at RIF. Recently RIF held an exciting event on Capitol Hill, our 5th annual “See What’s Brewing with RIF” in the Gold Room of the Rayburn House Office Building. Members of Congress, schedulers, and education legislative assistants dropped by and were treated to specialty coffees, fresh fruit smoothies, and the opportunity to frost their own delicious cupcakes. Visitors also met Riffington, the RIF mascot, and had a picture made with him as well as chose from an array of multicultural children’s books a book to keep just as children do at RIF book distributions across the country.
RIF appreciates the support of Macy’s in sponsoring this year’s event which gave members of Congress and their staff the opportunity not only for some “child-like fun” but also to visit with RIF staff to learn more about new and exciting programming by RIF for children and families in their districts and states.
Congressman Cao visits with students about their dreams for their futures.
“What do you want to be when you grow up?” Congressman Cao asked the enthusiastic students. Hands shot up as students prepared to answer the question. “I want to be a doctor” replied one student. “I want to be a police officer” replied another student. “I want to be a vegetarian”, replied still another student, “because I like animals”. The Congressman politely corrected the student, “I think you mean veterinarian!”.
This was the scene last Friday, May 7th at William J. Fischer Accelerated Academy as part of their third RIF book distribution sponsored by Communities In Schools of Greater New Orleans; the event was covered by The Times-Picayune. The theme for this distribution was “Dreams of What You Can Be” and CIS featured Congressman Ahn “Joseph” Cao (LA-2) for a special presentation and read-aloud to 3rd through 5th grade students. After reading My Granny Went to Market, Congressman Cao observed the students selecting their RIF books and volunteers from Communities In Schools helped the students stamp them and write their names in their new book.
“Teaching children how to read is essential to developing an educated and competitive work force, and the RIF Inexpensive Book Distribution program is a great way to get books in the hands of young readers. That is why I am so enthusiastic in my support for RIF and Communities in Schools,” said Congressman Cao.
“Reading is one of the ways that children can begin exploring different opportunities for their futures,” said Sara Massey, executive director of CIS – Greater New Orleans and RIF coordinator. “We are thrilled that Congressman Cao could join us in New Orleans to encourage students to begin thinking of their dreams and how reading can help them achieve their goals.”
The CIS – Greater New Orleans RIF program has provided 7,500 books for local children this school year. Last August, students at six Orleans parish schools received 2,500 books through the “United We Read” initiative launched by RIF, CIS – Greater New Orleans, and the National PTA as part of President Obama’s United We Serve campaign. Following Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, the CIS – Greater New Orleans RIF program has provided more than 12,000 books to elementary school children in seven Orleans parish public schools.
RIF Coordinator and executive director Sara Massey greets Congressman Cao.
Happy reading!
Stephen Leach
VP Government Relations and Community Outreach
RIF is deeply appreciative of the support from these news sources in telling the RIF story as we move forward with our federal grant reinstatement campaign.
Happy Ambassador Tuesday, everyone! This week’s featured ambassadors might live on opposite coasts, but they’re both doing incredible work to inspire the love of reading and to help save RIF’s funding!
Rhode Island RIF Ambassador, Maria Mendez-Garcia, has been the librarian at the International Charter School (ICS) for four years and the RIF coordinator for the past two years. ICS is a unique place where the students are enrolled in either a Spanish/English learning strand or a Portuguese/English learning strand. Everything at the school reflects the learning in these three languages. While it is challenging to find quality books the children will enjoy in Spanish and Portuguese, Maria scours through catalogs and websites looking for exactly these items. Last year, she was able to convince a small publishing company who offers reduced-price, original language children’s books in Portuguese to join the RIF family of approved book vendors! In addition, in light of the current campaign to reinstate RIF’s federal funding, Maria had the 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders at ICS write letters to members of Congress and President Obama. “They were all very worried that if they didn’t get this done, the senators and representatives would not realize how important the program was and axe it before getting their letters,” Maria said. “They ask me every day whether or not I’ve heard any news on the status of the RIF funding.” Way to go Maria!
The 3rd grade Portuguese/English class from the International Charter School with their letters to the representatives of Rhode Island, asking them to support the RIF program.
California RIF Ambassador, Basia Lubicz, (pronounced Basha LouBeach), is in her third year as assistant RIF coordinator for Oakland United School District (OUSD), under District Librarian Ann Gallagher. Together they administer RIF in over 75 schools, where too frequently, the program provides the only books many students have at home. Ms. Lubicz began as a volunteer in OUSD’s Grants Department and worked on a project with Library Services, which eventually led to her role with RIF at OUSD. Basia also supports district literacy goals with occasional grant writing. Recent grants from Macy’s and the Laura Bush Foundation have leveraged their RIF grant by enabling them to provide books to an additional 1,500 preschoolers and establish or update libraries in two underserved middle schools. An acknowledged “bookaholic,” Basia’s addiction to books began with her first “bite” of Green Eggs and Ham, read to her by an older brother. Basia and others from the OUSD RIF program have truly done their part to support RIF’s funding campaign by sending out “Save RIF” communications throughout their district to all principals, the OUSD public information officer, superintendent, their 75 site coordinators, and even to folks in the neighboring Berkeley United School District! Bravo Basia and Oakland United School District!
Clifford the Big Red Dog visits Cox Elementary in Oakland, Calif. for a RIF assembly prior to a book distribution. RIF books shared the spotlight with Clifford as staff and volunteers role-played on stage, along with having a Q&A with the students.
Thank you for helping build support for our Dear Colleague letter among members of the House of Representatives. Because of the thousands of people from across the country who wrote about the importance of reinstating RIF’s funding, the message was clearly heard by the Representatives.
But we still need your help! A separate Dear Colleague letter begins circulating in the Senate today. We have limited time to build support and let Congress know that without federal funding, more than 4.4 million children and families will not receive free books or reading encouragement from RIF programs.
Remember, your voice is the most important resource we have to make sure Congress reinstates RIF’s funding. Please send a message to your Senators today. Just enter your zip code to send a template statement directly. It only takes a couple of minutes to help make a lasting impact.
Please forward this message to your friends and colleagues and encourage them to send a message as well. Post this information on Facebook, Twitter, blogs, or any other social networks you use.
ACTION ALERT! See my statement regarding RIF’s elimination from the federal budget as proposed by the President. Act Now! Reinstate RIF’s Funding. Without it, more than 4.4 million children will not receive free books and reading encouragement.
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How do I say it other than this guy is some kind of fascinating! He is the creator of the Kid Caramel chapter book series, has done art work for numerous studios for television and publishing houses, owns a comic book series, is a professionally trained voice actor, produces technology tutorial videos, writes technology books and produces animated films to name a few of his outputs! Currently he is producing in the animated film category a re-imagining of Poe’s The Tell-Tale Heart. He says “I love technology. I am a total geek.”
So what is he not? He is not fond of his given name, Dwayne Ferguson, thinks it sounds like a lawyer or accountant and thus Hunter Wolf is his name. And he is not unclear on his advice to young people who aspire to be writers: “…to be a better writer, you read more….Expand your knowledge of the world.”
And how does he feel he has been so successful? “I make sure to be dangerous in whatever I put my mind to. Not okay, not good, not proficient, but dangerous…..Competition doesn’t scare me. Competition motivates me.”
Terrific interview by Olugbemisola Rhuday-Perkovich and great words of wisdom from Hunter Wolf. There is so much more about Hunter you need to know, hurry over to The Brown Bookshelf and read the full interview!
