Argyle Area Civic Council

AACC Literacy Campaign Program - Volunteers Needed

Contact Information - Literacy Campaign Number One Need and Goal

Henry Mooneyhan HMooneyhan@aol.com
Glorious Johnson gjohnson@cci.edu

The Argyle Area Civic Council has identified our Literacy Campaign as the number one need and goal for our area. Your participation is key to our success. Consider what is at stake. Consider the need. Your efforts will enable us to make a tremendous difference in the lives of many individuals, and in the quality of life that we all experience living in the Greater Argyle Area.

Argyle civic council plans to start literacy program

Wednesday, June 26, 2002

Argyle civic council plans to start literacy program

By Sandy Strickland Staff writer

The Argyle Area Civic Council is seeking community volunteers for a literacy program it plans to launch this year.

"Our goal is to stamp out illiteracy in our area," said David Hodges, president of the council, which keeps residents informed about neighborhood issues.

Statistics show that many adults in Northeast Florida can't read well enough to fill out a job application, follow a recipe, work an automatic teller machine, write a letter or use a computer, said organizers of the program.

"Some are your neighbors and some are your relatives," said Henry Mooneyhan, who's heading the project for the council.

He said the percentage of high school students graduating has steadily decreased since 1994 and that almost half of those who can't read are candidates for the welfare rolls.

"It's a problem that will affect us all, whether we realize it or not," Mooneyhan said. "The best thing we can do as a community council is to join the campaign to help reduce this problem."

He said from 35 to 50 volunteers willing to give one to two hours a weeks are needed. Tutors don't have to be college graduates, he said. Nor do they have to live in Argyle.

"I'm president of the United Methodist District Men's Organization, and I brought this issue up at a meeting," he said. "I had 19 people say they don't live in the area but would be willing to help."

Chimney Lakes Elementary School officials have agreed to let the council use its facility, Mooneyhan said. Funding will be sought through grants, he said, adding that he expects the program to begin about a month after money is secured.

As for recruiting candidates to tutor, Mooneyhan said it won't be a problem when they realize it will be a one-on-one process and confidentiality will be maintained.

He told a story of an incident in 1999 that made him realize the need. Mooneyhan, who was working as a trucking company official at the time, said a warehouse employee came to his office in tears over new procedures that were being implemented. The man said he was afraid he would be fired.

"I looked at him puzzled because this was a young man who dressed well and drove a nice vehicle," Mooneyhan said.

The man finally admitted that he didn't know how to read most of the instructions. When Mooneyhan asked how he filled out his job application, the man said he had taken it home to his mother.

"It really blew me away, and I was motivated to do something for him."

Mooneyhan called the company's human resources department, and the man received tutoring help. He's now a supervisor, has learned to read and is doing well, Mooneyhan said.

Staff writer Sandy Strickland can be reached at 359-4128 or via e-mail at sstrickland@jacksonville.com.

Excerpts from AACC Minutes of 2002

From the Thursday, February 21, 2002 AACC Meeting Minutes.

Kenneth Bible made the following motion: The AACC will aggressively pursue a program for literacy as the “cornerstone” of commitment for the improvement of the Argyle area. The motion was seconded and discussion followed. Forty-seven percent of Jacksonville residents are unable to read, write, or do simple math. This represents the greatest opportunity for the AACC to positively impact our community. While we do not expect to establish a program for the entire City, we can develop programs that provide literacy assistance to the children and adults of our community. The motion carried without dissent.


From March 21,2002 AACC Meeting Minutes

The AACC Literacy Project was discussed. The steering committee now includes Committee Chairman, Henry Mooneyhan (district 14 City Council candidate), Councilwoman Alberta Hipps, Senator Steve Wise, Representative Mike Hogan, Lawrence Jefferson, and Glorious Johnson (at-large candidate for the City Council), and Donna Walker, a new BoD member of the AACC.


From the Thursday, April 18, 2002 AACC Meeting Minutes

Henry Mooneyhan presented the results of extensive research into the illiteracy issue.
· Illiteracy tends to perpetuate itself within family groups.
· Problems include increased reliance on public assistance, the need for welfare, reduced health quality, lower quality workforce, higher jobless rates, and increases in the incarceration rate.
· Problems also include child abuse, poor work ethics, and drug and alcohol dependency.
· Jacksonville, and the state of Florida, tends to parallel the national averages for functional illiteracy (inability to read and comprehend at the tenth grade level) at 47%.
· Clay County has 39% and Baker County has 59%.
· Those who are illiterate tend to get left out of prosperous economy, thus increasing the gap between the “have” and the “have nots.”

Senator Wise pointed out that he had been instrumental in establishing a “Literacy Grant and Aid” program, funded with $7,500,000, for the purpose of providing Direct Instruction funds to school districts. The Jacksonville School Board did not apply for these funds.

Senator Wise suggested that it would be prudent for the AACC to look into creating a charter school, specifically to teach the construction trades.

It was also suggested that the AACC investigate the Project Child program in use at Windy Hill Elementary, and “failure free reading.”

The Senator recommended that our project coordinator, Henry Mooneyhan, approach the president at FCCJ, regarding an adult literacy program. The State of Florida has a program the will pay any college, once adult students have mastered the basics, and have become functionally capable. The payments are for results, not efforts, and Senator Wise offered to make the introductions for Mr. Mooneyhan, that will enable the
AACC to take advantage of this program.

Senator Wise also mentioned that there is a statewide shortage 2000 nurses. Many of those sitting for the proficiency exams cannot pass the math and chemistry portions.

Workforce development is a key issue, as is vocational training for grades K through 12. It is anticipated that business leaders in the future will play an important role, and develop curriculum based on workforce needs.


From the Thursday, May 16, 2002 AACC Meeting Minutes

Literacy Committee Report:
Henry Mooneyhan introduced literacy program specialist Glorious Johnson.
Here are her credentials and background information:
* Master of Education - Columbia University, New York City
* Master of Education - Nova University, Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
* Bachelor of Music Education - Jacksonville University, Jacksonville, Florida
* Co- Founder of the Harlem Book Association, New York City
* Co-Founder of The Beckworth's Summer Tutorial Program, Jacksonville, Florida
* Honorary Lifetime Membership - Florida Parent/Teacher Association
* Tutored youths and adults in reading for over 28yrs.

Glorious Johnson noted that 40% of the black population can’t read at a 4th grade level and 30% of black students in the 12th grade can’t read at a 4th grade level. Glorious Johnson also noted that there was too much socialization in the schools and not enough instruction.

Glorious offered to help with the paper work and grant writing to establish the literacy program.

Discussion of the literacy program explained how a literacy program could help the Argyle Area community.


From the Thursday, June 20, 2002 AACC Meeting Minutes

Literacy Campaign: Henry Mooneyhan and Glorious Johnson presented information regarding the status of the AACC Literacy Campaign. Volunteers who can give a few hours a week are needed to assist with one-on-one mentoring. A “mentor coordinator”, and program director will also be needed. Everyone is urged to consider this incredible need and opportunity to be a vital part of helping our community.
The program will most likely be accomplished in conjunction with “Learn to Read” a successful system already utilized in areas of Jacksonville. This is a national program, and having good results. Ms. Johnson, and Mr. Mooneyhan will meet with the key people of Learn to Read next week to begin this vital relationship.
Funding for the AACC Literacy Campaign, which will not necessarily be limited to the Argyle area, will come from a number of potential sources: VISTA (Volunteers In
Service To America), The Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy, The South Florida Anneaberg Challenge, Inc. (administered by The Florida Literacy Coalition), and The Governor’s Family Literacy Initiative. The AACC will become the “community provider” for other organizations throughout the area that are dedicated to helping people learn to read.
The start up of the AACC Literacy Campaign will occur within 30 days after funding has been secured.
Glorious Johnson, an educator who has been involved in teaching people how to read for over thirty years, stated that Jennifer Carol also has a foundation that may be integrated with AACC efforts.
Mr. Mooneyhan pointed out that only 55% of our high school students are even graduating, and 85% of those incarcerated cannot read even at a tenth-grade level.

Additional planning will include identifying individuals who want to learn to read, and meeting places for mentors to work, one-on-one with both adults and children. Chimney Lakes Elementary and Lindsey Terrace Apartments have both graciously offered temporary meeting facilities, and have expressed a willingness to help identify and encourage individuals wanting to learn to read, or read better.
Glorious Johnson quoted former First Lady Barbara Bush saying, ”The majority of problems in this country can be overcome by teaching people how to read.”
Please notify Henry Mooneyhan ( HMooneyhan@aol.com ) or Glorious Johnson ( gjohnson@cci.edu ) how you can help. Mentors will receive training to help make them more effective, but mostly what is needed is willing hearts and minds.


From the Thursday, August 15, 2002 AACC Meeting Minutes

2. Literacy campaign. Henry Mooneyhan reported that all volunteers were given applications for the schooling that will take place. There will be two classes held in September. Packets are being mailed out to everyone that has volunteered, and once the classes are complete, students will be assigned to tutors. Training for the tutors will consist of an orientation class on a Thursday night, followed by an all-day Saturday training session, after which student assignments will be made. Henry stressed that it is not too late to volunteer. Additional information will be posted on the website.


From the Thursday, September 19, 2002 AACC Meeting Minutes

Literacy Campaign. Henry Mooneyhan gave an update on the Literacy Campaign. The first group has completed training. Three more people have volunteered and will be trained in the next group.

Email us
ArgyleACC@netzero.net

Times Union Web Links and Other Important Links

TU6-26-2002 Argyle civic council plans to start literacy program
TU 6-9-2002 Argyle civic group plans for meeting
TU 3-27-2002 - Argyle Council makes itself heard