success stories
A success story from the LC Valley Circles Initiative and the course "Getting Ahead in a Just-Gettin'-By World" told by a participant in the course.
I am a member of the second "Getting Ahead in a Just-Gettin'-By World" class sponsored by LC Valley Circles Initiative, and completed the 16-week course in July, 2009. I participate in Circles because Circles Doesn't just see me as a "poor person"; Circles respects my contributions to our community. That's important to me because, in addition to being "poor." I'm also a college graduate, an AmeriCorps alumna with 2 years of national service and an active volunteer.
My relationships with other Circle Leaders and our Circle Allies are invaluable, and the "ripple effect" of Circles is truly life-altering. Two weeks ago, after 4 months of unemployment and no unemployment benefits (AmeriCorps doesn't pay into the unemployment fund), I faced homelessness. Circles paid my rent through a "Barrier Removal" grant available only to Circles Leaders. Today is my third day at a job Circles helped me get, by providing access to Working Solutions. There, I strengthened my resume: job searched, and practiced interviewing skills. Due to connections I made through Circles, my monthly income increased 700 percent. With that, my problems changed from not earning enough monthly income to qualify for rent controlled housing to earning too much. M.L.
A success story from The Learning Club
A former student, whose teacher decided that for many reasons (his higher test scores, becoming a proficient reader, positive self-esteem showing in the classroom, social behaviors are more positive and an all around happier child is attending school) that he is no longer in need of our service. Needless to state, the child is very disappointed that he is unable to attend T.L.C. so that another student needing our help may benefit. This child continues to ask if there is room for him, even though he knows he is doing well in school.
One fourth grade student that graduated out from T.L.C. asked if he could be a helper in the fall for the following school year. He stated that since T.L.C. helped him with school he would like to help T.L.C. I did have this student come back in the fall to help with our program.
A success story from CASA- Court Appointed Special Advocates for Children:
This past year one of our volunteers was advocating for children whose mother's reading level didn't measure up to most third grade readers abilities. The children had been returned to their parents and were doing very well in their home, but their mother's inability to read made it virtually impossible for her to find a job. The CASA volunteer knew a retired teacher and with the mother's blessing asked if she would e interested in tutoring this young mother. Long story short, it was a perfect match between this tutor and mother. The mother was able through everyone's perseverance and encouragement- to rapidly increase her reading aptitude within a few short months of twice weekly tutoring sessions. The mother is now working and was able to pass her driver's license exam because of the help provided through the efforts of our volunteer. The mother's self-esteem improved, her children were so proud of her and happy to have her read even mores stories to them at bedtime, and the financial stability of the family was greatly enhanced.
