Rasco From RIF

South Texas Literacy Coalition Celebrates a Year of Successes!

December 15th, 2009

Family of Readers grant recipients

Last week, Reading Is Fundamental celebrated with the South Texas Literacy Coalition (STLC) at their annual Holiday Gathering held at the University of Texas Pan-American Visitor Center in Edinburg, Texas.  RIF staff members Stephen Leach, Wendell Bassett, Caroline Gonzalez and Krista Heckler traveled from chilly Washington, DC and met local RIF staff member Diana Padilla for an evening of warm South Texas weather and hospitality as the coalition celebrated a banner year.

STLC President Laura Hinojosa opened with a welcome and an update on all the events and initiatives in which the Coalition has participated this year.  RIF announced the eight organizations receiving a Family Reading Celebration grant thanks to the generous support of The Meadows Foundation;  these grants will provide funding for the creation and implementation of a parent-child oriented reading event to promote family literacy in local communities.  In addition, RIF awarded seven organizations with a Family of Readers Training grant from The Meadows Foundation funding to provide each site with a train-the-trainer workshop that will help parents develop the skills and self-assurance to take a lead supporting role in their children’s reading and learning.  Representatives from several recipient organizations were on hand to be congratulated and receive the awards. 

The Coalition also announced the new officers for the 2010 year with each installed and presented a special children’s book;  the officers are President Laura Hinojosa, President-elect Dr. Dahlia Guerra, Vice President Dr. Ida Acuna, Secretary Ricardo Contreras, and Treasurer Letty Leija.

RIF staff members Krista Heckler, Wendell Bassett and Diana Padilla visited several RIF programs in the Valley including Sam Houston Elementary School, Airport Drive Elementary School and Ruben Hinojosa Elementary School.  At each of the sites, the RIF coordinators shared their excitement about the RIF program and told stories about the joy each student experiences when choosing free books for ownership.  RIF staff members were also able to visit the Mercedes Early Childhood Center to present Dalila Hinojosa a grant award for a RIF Family Reading Celebration.

Diana visits Mercedes Early Childhood Center

Happy Reading,
Stephen Leach
Vice President, Government Relations and Community Outreach

Filed under: RIF Events, RIF Government Relations, RIF Multicultural Literacy Campaign, South Texas Literacy Coalition

Tags: Airport Drive Elementary School, Mercedes Early Childhood Center, Ruben Hinojosa Elementary School, Sam Houston Elementary School, South Texas Literacy Coalition, The Meadows Foundation, University of Texas Pan American