Jewish Coalition For Literacy (JCL)

JCL's mission is to empower children with potential to improve their reading skills, experience success in learning to read and, to do our part in responding to the pervasive challenge of American illiteracy. JCL volunteers share a love for books, a commitment to quality education and a passion for the pursuit of social justice. JCL: Helping people to succeed: repairing the world – one child at a time.

Description:
Jewish Coalition for Literacy recruits, trains, places and supports volunteer reading partners in local schools to read one-to-one with children who benefit from the support of a caring adult, sharing the joy of reading. Volunteers help by giving just one hour each week, helping children improve their reading skills while helping them feel success. JCL has expanded their program to include reading with adults in the Latino community who wish to improve their English. as well as offering Conversational Spanish classes for adults on Monday evenings.

History:
JCL is the proud recipient of the 2007 Superintendent’s Award, granted by the New Haven Network for Public Education, after being nominated by the New Haven Foundation for Public Schools. JCL’s commitment has grown from partnering with one school in 2004 to four schools in 2008; more than 60 tutors work with 120 plus children. JCL began its volunteer program at the Columbus Family Academy, a dual language school in the Fair Haven section of New Haven. At the end of the 2006-07 school year, the New Haven Register reported that although CT Mastery Test (CMT) scores were down overall statewide, scores in New Haven had improved and Columbus was one of the eight schools showing improvement. JCL was acknowledged for its contribution to this statistical improvement. JCL also committed tutors to Katherine Brennan/Clarence Rogers elementary school in 2005 – 2006 school year and in 2006 – 2007 school year took on Nathan Hale elementary school, whose location attracts volunteers from the eastern Shoreline communities. Edgewood, a Magnet school was added in the 2007-08 school year. 2008-09 school year, JCL will expand to working at Barnard Environmental School. In addition, JCL encourages community members to collect new or gently used books, which are then donated to the schools served by JCL.

JCL sponsors multi cultural events in the community with Casa Otonal, JUNTA and Ezra and Columbus Family Academy.

Contact people:

Brenda Brenner, Program Coordinator, (phone), (email) Lauri Lowell, Program Director, (phone), (email)

Office fax number: (203) 397-1818

Address:

360 Amity Road Woodbridge, CT 06525 (See a map)

Web Site: None specified

Directions:

Nearest Metro/Subway Stop: N/A

Last updated on September 1, 2009