Awards:  
  • 2001--“Unique Program Award”
Wisconsin Adult Literacy Conference               
  • 2002--Student Ni Win recognized by Governor
McCalllum as successful W-2 participant        
  • 2003--Student Nancy Posadas honored at Governor’s Mansion by Wisconsin Literacy,  
Inc. (learned English, attained GED)                                                                         
  • 2003--First Lady Jessica Doyle Award for Family Literacy
  • 2007--Honorable Mention (for Health Initiatives)--First Lady Jessica Doyle Award for    
Family Literacy
  • 2008--First Lady Jessica Doyle Award for Family Literacy
Overview:
Since its birth in 1996 as a RUSD/Gateway Technical College collaboration, Racine Family Literacy
has been a recognized innovative leader in family education. (SEE AWARDS BELOW.) The only
comprehensive, integrated program serving low literacy/low income families in Racine County, RFL
provides the four components of family literacy: Adult Education; Early Childhood Education; Parent
Education: and PACT (Parent and Child Time).  (SEE SERVICES)

Fiscally agency: Emmaus Lutheran Church.

Major funders:        
  • Dominican Mission Fund
  • Gateway Technical College
  • Roundy's Foundation
  • RUSD Title 1 Program
  • RUSD Lighted School House
  • United Way of Racine County

2008-2009 News--

Generous donations from service clubs will fund some special projects again this year:
          Kiwanis of West Racine--August school supply giveaway for children; funds for monthly
                                                 book giveaway
           Wednesday Optimists--additional books for 1st-2nd grade and/or 3rd-9th grade classroom
                                              libraries

August:
  • On the 7th RFL will hold its annual book publishing party.  Seventy-nine individuals from 28
    families contributed to the book of student writings, In Our New Language.  This year some
    of our 2 year olds also "wrote" for us.  The cover art was done by 4th grader Andrea Mares,
    during RFL's spring field trips to Wustum Museum.  
  • At the book publishing party, RFL will have school
         supplies for all school age children of returning fam-
         ilies, cooking with Fabiola Diaz (UW- Extension), and
         other activities.  Food will be served.
  • Racine Family Literacy will be taking a field trip
         on the 22nd to the Modine-Benstead Observatory
         for one the Racine Astronomical Society's open
         houses.

September:
  • Racine Family Literacy's K4/K5 class will begin using
         PATHS (Promoting Alternative ThinkingSkills),
         a program recognized by the National Registry of
         Evidence-Based Programs and Practices as an effective
         social/emotional learning tool.  In clinical studies, teachers reported PATHS reduced aggressive
         behavior by 32%, increased self control by 36%, increased students’ vocabulary for emotions by
         68%, AND increased scores on cognitive skills tests by 20%.  A weekly PATHS lesson will be
         integrated into the K4/K5 curriculum.  
  • Plans are under way to add classroom staff in September.  The goal is both to serve more
    individuals and to provide additional opportunities for both adults and children. (details will be
    coming).

October:
  • In October RFL’s home visitor and executive director will attend a (PAT) Parents as Teachers'
    Prenatal to 3 “Born to Learn” Institute.   PAT is an evidence-based home visitation program
    used throughout the country.  The training will cover the latest neuroscience research on young
    brains, stages of child development, instructional home visiting, and working with parent groups.
    After completing the five days, home visitor Maribel Velasquez will be a certified “Born to Learn"
    Parent Educator.    PAT includes yearly vision, hearing, health, and developmental screenings for all
    children birth to 3.  If all goes as planned, the next step for RFL’s home visitation program will be
    additional training in 2009 for serving children 3 years to kindergarten entry.
  • From October 6-November 3, the UW-Extension Nutrition Program will visit once a week.  Fabiola
    Diaz will provide a hands-on program on healthy cooking and diet, with some time each week spent
    in the kitchen.
Racine Family Literacy Mission Statement:

To provide families with the literacy and life skills necessary for success in today's world.
Racine Family
Literacy
Florencia  and daughter Wendy
making Valentine hearts
Andrea Mares, grade 4, Wadewitz