2003 Thanksgiving Benefit Dinner

This year, the Cosmopolitan Club says Happy Thanksgiving to Urbana Adult Education's Even Start Family Literacy Program, which has been selected as recipient of all proceeds from our 2003 annual Thanksgiving Benefit Dinner. The money will help buy much needed books and supplies for a program designed to break the cycle of poverty and illiteracy by improving educational opportunities for low income parents most in need and their children, aged birth to 8. To qualify for participation, families must meet both of the following criteria:

• have children of ages birth-8, and
• have parent(s) eligible for participation in adult basic education programs under the Adult Education and Family Literacy Act.

In Urbana-Champaign's Even Start Program, 65% of the mothers in this program speak Spanish. Twenty-four families are involved in the program and more are on a waiting list.

Mandated to serve those most in need, the Even Start program has three related goals:

• help parents improve their literacy or basic educational skills,
• help parents become full partners in educating their children, and
• assist children in reaching their full potential as learners.
  

The program's components include Adult Education, Early Childhood, Head Start, Parenting, and PACT. The first, Adult Education for parents, includes classes in English as a second language as well as GED classes for those trying to earn high school diplomas. Early Childhood offers the opportunity for parents and children aged to 3 to come to school together. Head Start partner works closely with children aged 3 to 5. Parenting involves classes that discuss topics parents want to talk about. Themes change each year, depending upon identified needs. This year's theme, for example, emphasizes communication between parents and children, parents and teachers, husbands and wives, and employers and employees. The last component PACT (Parent and Child Together) arranges evening fun and literacy activities for the entire family with an average attendance of 60 people at each event.

Everything in the Even Start program is literacy based and carefully integrated with the goal of enabling parents so that they can help their children learn. When parents speak two languages, the program becomes bilingual to foment literacy in both languages. When families cannot attend activities because of a lack of transportation, transportation is provided. Classes take place weekly and bi-weekly. Monthly activities include "story shop" visits to the Champaign Public Library and family visits by a parent educator who helps Mom make games or learning activities focusing on the needs of the child. Thanks to a Penny Severns grant, Even Start families also participate in summer school programs.

With recent cuts in Federal and State funding, Even Start and its participating families can definitely use all funds provided via Cosmo's Thanksgiving Benefit Dinner. For more information about Even Start Family Literacy goals and activities, please contact Debbie McDermott, Family Literacy Coordinator, at Urbana Adult Education 384-3530.