Here are some thoughts on your concerns. 

I've known of some excellent collaboration between churches and literacy programs. A key word here is collaboration. Each partner brings what they can to the table. You don't ever have to give a penny to a church. It is not anyone's job to tell you how to use your property or finances or time. Or vica versa. It's obviously frustrating you, but the question is not making someone else do something or see something. It's what you see to do. 

It sounds like you have done the kinds of things I'm going to suggest, but here goes. 

Could you approach the churches with the opportunity to help bring other people into the community who have come because of the values, faith and traditions that have made the US what it is? It's much better to bring them in by helping them learn English than to leave them open to the hate doctrines of various terrorists and their value systems. 

Collaborators require the same kind of encouragement that our students do. People aren't all that different, whether they are perceived as the haves or the have-nots. Some take a longer time or different exposure than others. 

What can you appreciate about the Christians and churches around you currently? This is a practical question, because you have see some good in the situation to build on, or you should really move on. 

I know one thing that has struck me over and over in the past five years is that extreme reactions to people of other faiths/systems is considered abnormal in the US. How many effigies of Putin, Bin Laden, or Chavez have you seen burned? How many flags of North Korea have you seen descrated? If a painting of Mohammed had been put on public display by the National Endowment of the Arts the way the one of Mary was several years ago, with dung on it, what would have been the reaction around the world? Ask the Danes, who exercised their free press. Are people who leave a church in danger for their lives? Ask Iranians about that, for one example. 

Are you willing in the collaboration to allow people from the faith organization to help with the classes? There's a large church in Boston, Park Church, that holds ESL classes as part of their ministry. Perhaps some research could help you present a case for a ministry by the church. It might even end up being another program entirely, but it would benefit the students. 

Could you publish a booklet of stories by your students? Could you have a column in the local paper? Just something that could let the people in your area have a window into what's going on with your students.

Finally, there's the solution that churches and public schools used when new parts of the country were being settled. Rent school space. 

Hoping that you have great new years!

Mary Jane Jerde



"Brown, Charlene" <Charlene.Brown at Jefferson.kyschools.us> wrote:                 I just hope that whichever party is in charge decides to make adult education a priority.  With the increasing numbers of immigrants who have not been to school in their own countries and who don’t speak English, the funding must be doubled if we are to even maintain our current literacy levels.  It can no longer be only about the children.  This problem is too big and too important to continue to rely entirely on non-professional volunteers.  While I could not live without my volunteers, there has to be some funding for training and materials.
   
  -----Original Message-----
 From: familyliteracy-bounces at nifl.gov [mailto:familyliteracy-bounces at nifl.gov] On Behalf Of Janice Sapp
 Sent: Wednesday, December 27, 2006 1:11 PM
 To: The Family Literacy Discussion List
 Subject: [FamilyLiteracy 477] Re: Meeting your needs
   
  Since this is/was the case in Plano, Tx, I started teaching in my home for free; when the
 classes grew too large I went to neighborhood churches---you all know the story here;
 you go to the neighborhoods where undocumented workers live and you will find places/spaces
 to rent (because I wasn't a member of a UMC church! or any other church) or for free if
 you find the right church and pastor.  I realize what you are doing, but meanwhile while
 people are waiting until Bush and company get out of office (and all his Xns), people
 need help and education.  Our community became very interested; even physicians and dentists
 came to assist our group, etc.  We had a great time and a lot of help came except money which
 the churches and govern (because we were not a church) kept for 'others'.  (smiling like the Cheshire
 cat).  I am very tired of this game.  Janice Sapp
 
 
 
 
 
    
---------------------------------
  
  
 > From: ednahoover at hotmail.com
 > To: familyliteracy at nifl.gov; bigfoot11204 at yahoo.com
 > Date: Sat, 23 Dec 2006 14:14:49 +0000
 > Subject: [FamilyLiteracy 476] Re: Meeting your needs
 > 
 > Need to support undocumented immigrant women with infants & toddlers who 
 > need basic education in the native language & ESL instruction, but cannot 
 > access local childcare services.
 > 
 > Need to mandate that all school districts provide dedicated classroom spaces 
 > for adult basic ed & ESL instruction for parents in local areas.
 > 
 > 
 > >From: Gail Price <gprice at famlit.org>
 > >Reply-To: The Family Literacy Discussion List <familyliteracy at nifl.gov>
 > >To: Family Literacy Discussion List <familyliteracy at nifl.gov>
 > >Subject: [FamilyLiteracy 473] Meeting your needs
 > >Date: Fri, 22 Dec 2006 09:30:35 -0500
 > >
 > >Dear Subscribers,
 > >
 > >Before we get too involved in the holiday season, I would like to thank 
 > >all of you for your continued interest and support of the Family Literacy 
 > >Discussion List.
 > >
 > >As we move into a new year, I want to make sure the information posted to 
 > >our List reflects what you want and need. What topics would you like to 
 > >see covered? What guest might you recommend for guiding us through special 
 > >discussions? What suggestions do you have for more actively engaging our 
 > >subscribers?
 > >
 > >If you could take a few minutes in the next couple of weeks to think about 
 > >my questions, I would appreciate your feedback by January 12. You can 
 > >respond to the list as a whole or to me off-list. I will share your 
 > >responses and suggestions with everyone.
 > >
 > >
 > >
 > >
 > >
 > >
 > >Gail J. Price
 > >Multimedia Specialist
 > >National Center for Family Literacy
 > >325 West Main Street, Suite 300
 > >Louisville, KY 40205
 > >
 > >Phone: 502 584-1133, ext. 112
 > >Fax: 502 584-0172
 > >
 > >
 > 
 > 
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 > >To unsubscribe or change your subscription settings, please go to 
 > >http://www.nifl.gov/mailman/listinfo/familyliteracy
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 > 
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