Washington National Cathedral

Cathedral, S-4. Refreshments, sign-in, and introductions at 9:45 am. Presentations begin at 10:15 am.

The need for literacy volunteers continues to grow. There is a growing list of individuals seeking tutors, and a number of organizations have contacted us for volunteers. These include Reach Out and Read, a children's program which will be featured in the March workshop; Open Arms Housing, a residence for women with learning disabilities; and Transitional Housing Corporation, which provides housing and support services for homeless and at-risk families. If you are in need of a new placement, please contact Carol Hurlburt or attend the workshop.

Focus: Reach Out and Read - a New Volunteer Opportunity

Speakers are Dawn Thomas, ROR Coalition Leader and Javier Morla, ROR Metro DC.

Reach Out and Read is a national nonprofit organization that makes literacy promotion a part of pediatric primary care so that children grow up with books and a love of reading. Pediatricians in the program encourage parents to read to their children and distribute free developmentally and culturally appropriate books to children from six months to five years of age. ROR has more than 4,500 programs across the country, serving 4 million children and distributing 6 million books annually. ROR operates in 35 sites across the District of Columbia and Maryland, with a special emphasis on serving families in low income communities.

Focus: Language Access Rights

Speaker is Juliana Morris, D.C. Language Access Coalition

The D.C. Language Access Coalition is an alliance of community-based and civil rights organizations that advocate for language access rights within the District of Columbia, including the Cathedral Literacy Program. The Coalition's goal is to ensure that DC residents and workers who are limited English proficient or non-English proficient have equal access to the most essential government benefits and services including food stamps, Medicaid, health care, unemployment benefits, job training programs, public education, fire and emergency services, the police department and mental health services.

Enter the Cathedral Close from Wisconsin Avenue on South Road. If the West Front doors are still locked, go around the corner to the wheelchair-accessible entrance on the north side of the building near the exit from the garage. If the door is locked, ring the bell and inform security that you are with the Literacy Program. Then proceed to the South elevator and Room S-4.

For more info contact Carol Hurburt.