We're Growing!

Hello! We recently put some numbers to paper and realized...

The Literacy Alliance was blessed to have 44 volunteers this past year contributing over 2,700 hours and providing programs for almost 6,000 children and teens!

WOW! To think it used to be just me. And we are just getting started. Recently we welcomed new volunteers and new programs!

You may have noticed the increased activity with our twitter and Facebook accounts. Our new volunteer Kayleigh is helping us have fun with social media!

We also have a new volunteer, Christine H., who is looking into grant applications!

We have new volunteers for the hospital and homeless shelter puppet shows, a new group of Book Buster volunteers with a full schedule, we have added a script writing element to the Eugene production program, Marcy continues to provide engaging storytimes for preschoolers, and we will soon be providing a Fairy Tale program for Give Kids the World!

We are building new relationships with UCF and hope to have interns in the near future.

Thank you to all who help support our programs that spread smiles and change lives!

It Does Matter

Jillian sharing stories!

It does matter. And in the past few weeks I have learned just how much it matters. I’ve struggled with writing this post because I’m not comfortable patting myself on the back. But my heart is so full, it is spilling over with gratitude. So here goes.

I will begin with a summary. I’ve been a wife for 31 years, a mom for 26 years, a librarian for 14 years, a mentor for 11 years, and a president of a nonprofit for 5 years. All of these parts of my life have brought me wonderful people, joy, love and happiness. But I have also been frustrated, I’ve wondered if what I was doing was meaningful or useful or if I was making good decisions. Did all these things mean anything? Did they matter? A question I think we all ask. Maybe you’ve thought this about your relationships or professions or volunteer work. And although it is a question often asked in frustration, it is also a helpful question. By asking it we move forward, we reexamine and correct and appreciate. But it is also a question that will not always be answered. In fact, it is often not answered. We do something nice but receive no appreciation, no thank you. Is it still worth doing? Of course, we say yes. But it can be hard doing something with no feedback. It can be frustrating not knowing if your kindness was helpful. 

Sydney & Trent sharing stories!

Boys Town students sharing stories!

Well, trust me when I say, it is! Know that; know it deep in your heart. Feel good about your kind efforts with or without feedback. This is trite but very true – doing something kind will change the world. I say this because I am confident that one day you will be able to answer that question – does it matter? For me this happened in the last few weeks. First was Mother’s Day. Then I was surprised to be named Mentor of the Year for Seminole County. Then I received some particularly meaningful compliments at the library. Then my husband and I celebrated our 31^st wedding anniversary. And then The Literacy Alliance was picked to be featured in Huffington Post as a top nonprofit for helping children! So much wonderfulness! The comments and gifts on all of these occasions from my children, mentees, their parents, friends, my husband, relatives, colleagues and others have filled my heart! I have been refueled for another 10 years or so!

Does it matter? I say yes!

It's good to be good!

Teen puppeteers provide storytmes!

Are you interested in a sense of purpose that leads to greater life satisfaction, reduced stress, less depression, living longer, higher levels of health and higher cognitive function? Of course you are! Well, according to a December 2011 Consumer Report article, studies show that being involved in the altruistic nature of volunteering will lead to all of the above! Awesome! So much good from being good. Who knew! And then there are the smiles of those you help, their gratitude and laughter, and the warm glow in your heart. Where can you sign up, you say? Look around, you may know someone who currently volunteers, ask them how to get involved. Or check out these online sources - Heart of Florida United Way http://www.hfuw.org/ and Hands on Orlando http://www.handsonorlando.com/. Or help us!

Playing with science!

At the Literacy Alliance we love helping others. Sharing the joy of reading and a curiosity for learning is our pleasure and our passion. You love to read and learn too? Excellent. Join us September 8th at Barnes & Noble Book Stores and we will read and learn together. Your purchase on that day in any Barnes & Noble will help us with funds for needed program supplies. Come to the Barnes & Noble in the Oviedo Mall on September 8th for puppet shows, a puppet read-a-thon and fun science experiment demonstrations. More information will soon be posted on our website, facebook and twitter accounts.