March 1, 2002

CONTACT:
Angela Jones, Public Information Officer
City Manager's Office
(510) 621-1230

CITY'S LITERACY PROGRAM HONORS GRADUATES
Students Reap Praise On Staff Who Changed Their Lives

There were smiles, hugs, and even some tears around the room Thursday night at the Achievement Awards Ceremony sponsored by the City of Richmond's Literacy For Every Adult Project (L.E.A.P.).

"These students all had one thing in common," said L.E.A.P. program manager, Isabel Emerson. "They all were having serious problems with their literacy skills, and it was keeping them from being able to become productive citizens."

City Manager Isiah Turner told the group about growing up in Richmond and experiencing the same challenges that many of the L.E.A.P. students face today, and how learning to take advantage of City resources made a positive difference in life. 

"As a child, my only connection to the City of Richmond was the Main Library," said Turner. 

"My mother and father stayed on my case about getting good grades. And if I can do it, you can do it, too, with the some application and help from the people who run our youth and adult training programs, which are some of the best in the state."

The L.E.A.P. awards ceremony recognized students who completed one of four training or tutoring programs, including the MoneySMART finance literacy workshop series with support from The Mechanics Bank and FDIC as the major sponsor. Ronald Gleaves proudly accepted his certificate after taking the class to learn how to manage his money. "It taught me how to be more assertive when applying for loans and to not be afraid to go out and challenge the lender."

Several students received certificates for earning their G.E.D. Emerson says some of the students entered the program with reading skills at the 3rd to 6th grade level. Jacqueline Smith kept putting off getting her G.E.D. Smith credits her family and L.E.A.P. Tutor Learner/Coordinator Virgil Weeks with giving her the motivation to reach her goal. "He was very patient. I was allowed to bring my grandchild to class," said Smith with a big smile on her face. "I'm going to college this summer. I'm 50 years old and I didn't think I could do it, but I did it."

The L.E.A.P. program also offers tutoring to students who need to pass the ORBIT, which is required to graduate from high school. Ryan Dorr was one of two students to receive an ORBIT certificate. Dorr could barely read when he started the program and says people told him he would never graduate. But Dorr credits L.E.A.P. Learner Coordinator Mary Johnson with helping him prove them wrong. 

"She's like a mother to me. If she hadn't helped me with my reading, I wouldn't be where I am now," said Dorr who gave Johnson a warm hug when he received his certificate. As an 18-year-old teen parent, Dorr now attends Contra Costa College. He will soon attend a class to learn to become an Emergency Medical Technician, and hopes to become fire fighter. "Ms. Johnson helped me out more than anybody ever has. I thought I would never be anything, but look where I am now," said Dorr. 

Two students in the L.E.A.P. "Writer to Writer" program entered a contest sponsored by the State Literacy Network. They were required to write a letter to the author of a book that changed their lives. James Langford wrote to the author of the book, "The House That Crack Built," and said it gave him so much encouragement when he didn't think he could do better in life. "Your book raised my self-esteem because I thought I couldn't read," wrote 43-year-old Langford. "Reading it diminished some of the shame I had about not being a good reader. When I learned to read a book like "The House That Crack Built," it gave me motivation and strength. "I want to read another book. I want to go to college. I want to give back the help that was given to me." Langford's letter earned him a chance to win $50 to $250, a trip for two to Sacramento, and his letter will be published on a website.

The L.E.A.P. program is offered under the City's Employment and Training Department. Director Upesi Mtambuzi reminded the students of a pledge they made when they enrolled in the training, to go out and share their stories with ten other people and encourage them to take advantage of the City Youth and Adult training programs so they can improve their lives as well.

For more information about the City of Richmond L.E.A.P. program in the Employment and Training Department, call (510) 307-8084.