Literacy Directory

 

Concord is a city that reads!

Reading is a doorway to many opportunities. In Concord, we want that door to be open to every resident. A city that reads is a city that makes opportunity available to everyone.

The goal of the Literacy Coalition is to make local literacy services more accessible to the community through this directory. The idea for the directory came from a City Council-sponsored roundtable discussion group that meets to strategize about more effective ways to raise literacy awareness in Concord. Literacy professionals, volunteers, school district representatives and local residents are collaborating to deliver literacy services to a broad spectrum of our community.

This directory is a reference tool to spread the word about what is available in Concord for those looking for literacy services. It also includes information for residents who want to become involved as volunteers. Volunteer opportunities abound and many service providers in this directory are eager to train and mobilize literacy volunteers.

People who need assistance are found in all age groups, from children to older adults. We hope many will take up the challenge and become trained literacy volunteers to assist the people of our city. For more information contact any of the agencies listed below or peter@ci.concord.ca.us.

First Book Summer 2008 Campaign logoFirst Book Summer 2008 Book Reading Campaign

 

Powerpoint iconPresentation on the goals of the Concord Literacy Coalition

Pdf iconConcord Literacy Coalition Brochure

Pdf iconConcord Literacy Coalition Directory

Cambridge Community Center

1146 Lacey Lane, Concord, CA 94520
Contact Name: Marilyn Agodon, Program Director
Contact E-Mail: marilyn@cambridgecom.org
Contact Telephone: (925) 798-1078, Extension 205
FAX: (925) 827-4906
Website: www.cambridgecom.org
Age Group Served: Preschool–Adult

Brief Description:
An enhanced Head Start program, this organization promotes attainment of English language skills through workshops and other training opportunities. The majority of parents involved in this organization are Hispanic.

Community-Based English Tutoring Program (CBET)

Mt. Diablo Adult Education
Mt. Diablo Unified School District

1266 San Carlos Avenue, Concord, CA 94518
Contact Name: Michelle Noriega-Carpenter
Contact Email: carpenterm@mdusd.k12.ca.us
Contact Telephone: (925) 685-7340, Extension 2761
FAX: (925) 687-8217
Website: www.mdusd.k12.ca.us/adulted Age Group Served: Adults age 17+ and their preschool children, age 3–5.

Brief Description:
Provides instruction to improve English language and literacy skills. Classes are especially designed for parents and other adult community members who want to speak, read, and write English better and learn how to prepare and support their children in school. Preschool classes are provided for the children of adult students at some sites.

Concord Community Services

Concord City Council

1950 Parkside Drive M/S 27, Concord, CA 94519
Contact Name: Teri House, Manager
Contact E-mail: thouse@ci.concord.ca.us
Contact Telephone: (925) 671-3283
FAX: (925) 671-3064
Website: www.ci.concord.ca.us/living/communitysvcs.htm
Age Group Served: Preschool–Adult

Brief Description:
Concord’s Community Services Commission recommends funding to the city council that allocates city funds and HUD Community Development Block Grant dollars to social service agencies serving Concord. The city has funded programs and requests for proposals that contain literacy components.

Diablo Valley Literacy Council

4000 Clayton Road, Concord, CA 94521
Organization Telephone: (925) 685-3881
Contact Name: Answering Machine–Leave Message
Contact Email: DVLC@juno.com
Contact Telephone: (925) 685-3881
Website: www.dvlc.tripod.com
Age Group Served: 18+

Brief Description:
The agency trains tutors to teach people to speak and read English. Clients are adults who use English as a second language. DVLC provides training, teaching materials, lesson plans, and support for our tutors. Follow-up training and a mentor program help to keep tutors fresh and motivated. Lessons are held in the student’s home or in another suitable location, like a library or church.

Educational Development Corporation

Organization Telephone: (925) 672-9640
Contact Name: Serena Chow
Contact E-mail: serenachow@sbcglobal.net
Website: www.SerenasBooks.com
Age Group served: Infant through adult

Brief Description:
Provides Usborne Books for literacy-based programs through Literacy for a Lifetime, a matching grant program. Access is given to over 1,300 award-winning titles through your local representative. Organizations can receive free Usborne books by participating in our pledge-based reading program.

First 5 Contra Costa

Children and Families Commission

1485 Enea Court, Suite 1200, Concord, CA 94520
Contact Name: Debi Silverman
Contact E-mail: dsilverman@firstfivecc.org
Contact Telephone: (925) 771-7300
Website: www.firstfivecc.org
Age Group Served: Preschool–Adult

Brief Description:
READY SET READ project offers (1) grants to preschools and family child care homes to create lending libraries (2) grants to libraries and CBO’s to put on literacy activities and to put on literacy activities and events, and (3) book giveaways which put books in the hands of young children across the county.
The SCHOOL READINESS project provides (1) outreach to parents as children’s first and most important teachers through home visits, workshops, and support groups (2) preschool education for children while parents attend ESL classes (3 schools) (3) parent-child cooperative preschools
(4 schools) (4) implementation of Raising a Reader in preschools and family child care homes (5) school-initiated transition activities that help children enter Kindergarten with ease and (6) stronger linkages between parents and early care educators.

Head Start Program

Community Services Department
2425 Bisso Lane, Suite 120, Concord, CA 94520
Organization Telephone: (925) 646-5540
Contact Name: Janissa Rowley
Contact Telephone: (925) 646 5584
Contact E-mail: janissarowley@ccccsd.org
FAX: (925) 646-5551
Website: info@ccccsd.org
Age Group Served: Ages 0–5 years

Brief Description:
Community Services Department (CSD) provides a comprehensive family literacy program, which supports reading readiness in children while improving literacy rates in parents. CSD encourages family-school partnership by implementing:
Raising a Reader Program–This lending library program allows parents to take children’s books home to read. Books are available in the languages reflective of our families.
Reading Is Fundamental Program–Three books per year per child. Teachers and parents are provided with suggested activities that promote reading to the children.
Motivational Literacy Activities–Dr. Suess’s birthday celebration at the sites where parents, community volunteers, and administrative staff read to the children.
Week of the Young Child Activity–Site-based activities include book-making and acting out favorite nursery rhyme characters with parent volunteers.
Reading Readiness Challenge–This is a two-week challenge for parents to read a minimum of 20 minutes each evening to their child. The goal of this event is to encourage reading with a Dad or significant male.

Jewish Coalition For Literacy (JCL)

300 Grand Avenue Oakland, CA 94610
Contact Name: Judy Pam-Bycel, Outreach Manager
Contact Email: jpbycel@jcrc.org
Contact Phone: (510) 839-2900 ext. 274
FAX: (510) 839-3996
Website: www.jclread.org
Age Group Served: Elementary School children (k-5)

Brief Description:
JCL recruits, trains, places, and supports volunteers from the community as one-on-one literacy tutors for public elementary school children. Tutors commit to at least one hour a week for the duration of the school year and work with the same student(s) all year towards improving literacy skills to grade level.

Loma Vista Adult Center

Mount Diablo Adult Education
Mount Diablo Unified School District

1266 San Carlos Avenue, Concord, CA 94518-1199
Organization Telephone: (925) 685-7340
Contact Name: G. Vittoria Abbate-Maghsoudi
Contact E-Mail: abbategv@mdusd.k12.ca.us
Contact Telephone: (925) 685-7340, Extension 2721
FAX: (925) 687-8217
Website: www.mdusd.k12.ca.us/adulted/elcivics
Age Group Served: Primarily 18+

Brief Description:
Provides instruction to improve English language & literacy skills. Classes are especially designed for adults who want to speak, read, and write English to improve their skills to get a job, progress at work, and participate in their community.

Monument Community First 5 Center

1736 Clayton Road, Concord, CA 94520
Contact Name: Ruth Rodriguez, Director
Contact Telephone: (925) 671-3267
FAX: (925) 686-2669
Age Group Served: Families with children ages 0–5

Brief Description:
The Monument Community First 5 Center, which is a joint partnership of the Monument Community Partnership, the City of Concord and First 5 Contra Costa, will provide health, education and other human services to children age 0–5 and their families. Currently Family Literacy classes are offered with child care available for ages 0–3.

Monument Community Partnership

1760 Clayton Road, Concord, CA 94520
Contact Telephone: (925) 798-9638
FAX: (925) 686-2898
Website: www.monumentcommunity.org
Age group served: Preschool–Adult

Brief Description:
The Monument Community Partnership builds a community of residents, service agencies and local businesses who care about and want to influence what happens in the Monument Corridor. Our focus areas are resident capacity building, economic development, education, health and social services and housing. We provide a wide array of literacy programs including Story Time for children, training in Spanish literacy, ESL classes and the creation of local library extension centers throughout the neighborhood.

Monument Crisis Center

2350 Monument Blvd. Suite B, Concord, CA 94520
Phone Number: (925) 825-7751
Contact E-Mail: mcc1280@sbcglobal.net
Contact Person: Sara Luquin
Fax Number: (925) 825-8732
Website: www.monumentcrisiscenter.org
Ages: All ages welcomed
Play area available for pre-school children during class time
Services Provided: ESL and after school tutoring

Brief Description:
The Center provides FREE Conversational English classes three times a week, Tuesday, 8:30–10 a.m. and 6–7 p.m. and Friday, 8:30 a.m.–10 a.m. The sessions are held in our classroom where volunteer tutors help students one on one. Our dedicated tutors are available for individualized instruction and assist at any level.
Brief Description: “After School Café” is a labor of love headed by retired resource specialists in collaboration with our staff. The center is buzzing on Thursday afternoons when local high school student tutor elementary and middle school students from the Monument Corridor. This one on one tutoring begins at 3:15–4:30 p.m. but not before a healthy snack. One of our 5th graders brought in her recent math test on which she received an A+!

Monument Futures

Concord Community Economic
Development Organization, Inc.

2699 Monument Boulevard, Concord, CA 94520
Mailing Address: PO Box 6642, Concord, CA 94524
Contact Name: Molly Clark, Executive Director
Contact E-mail: molly@monumentfutures.org
Contact Telephone: (925) 680-8248
FAX: (925) 682-8248
Website: www.monumentfutures.org
Age Group Served: Ages 10–90

Brief Description:
Monument Futures provides programs and resources in English and Spanish in three tracks–Workforce Development, Asset Development, and Business Development. These currently include English as a Second Language, computer training, workshops in Living and Working in America, financial literacy workshops, and others.

Mount Diablo Adult Education

Mount Diablo Unified School District

1266 San Carlos Avenue, Concord, CA 94518
Contact Name: Rosemary Slavin, Coordinator ESL and Family Literacy
Contact E-mail: slavinr@mdusd.k12.ca.us
Contact Telephone: (925) 685-7340, Extension 2763
FAX: (925) 687-8217
Website: www.mdusd.k12.ca.us/adulted/
Age Group Served: 17 years and older and preschool children of adult English language learners

Brief Description:
Mt. Diablo Adult Education offers basic skills classes to improve communication, math, reading, and writing in order to assist individuals in securing employment, advancing at work, participating in the community, and helping their children in school. Additional classes offer opportunities for adults to earn a high school diploma or GED certificate. Morning, afternoon, and evening classes held at the Loma Vista campus and at numerous ESL-Family Literacy satellite locations throughout the Mt. Diablo Unified School District

Mount Diablo High School

Mount Diablo Unified School District

2450 Grant Street, Concord, CA 94520
Contact Name: Gail Kirby
Contact E-mail: kirbyg@mdusd.k12.ca.us
Contact Name: Susan Goins
Contact E-mail: goinss@mdusd.k12.ca.us
Contact Telephone: (925) 682-4030, Extension 3418
FAX: (925) 687-9658
Website: Currently offline due to reconstruction
Age Group Served: Grades Nine–Twelve

Brief Description:
Mount Diablo High School provides intensive instruction in reading literacy for those students who are non-readers; and strategic literacy instruction for every student across the content areas, so that each student is instructed in literacy acquisition for every period, every day.

Mount Diablo Unified School District

1266 San Carlos Avenue Suite A-6, Concord, CA 94518
Contact Name: (Currently recruiting.)
Telephone: (925) 691-0351
FAX: (925) 691-1447
Website: www.mdusd.k12.ca.us
Age Group Served: Kindergarten–Grade Twelve

Brief Description:
Mt. Diablo CARES After School Program is a collaborative of the Concord Community & Recreation Services Department, The Mount Diablo Unified School District, Bay Area Community Resources and the Ambrose Recreation and Park District to provide enrichment, academic and support services for children and their families beyond the traditional school day.
Elementary and Middle School Programs run a minimum of three hours a day, five days a week throughout the school year and summer session. High school hours vary. Activities include homework club, reading and math tutorial, interest-based classes, sports and games, computers, cooking, dance, drama, arts and crafts, music, science, gardening, expanded learning opportunities, Junior Achievement, violence prevention curriculum, teambuilding, conflict mediation, counseling, parent education, family nights and special events.

Mount Diablo Unified School District

English Language Development for English Learners

1936 Carlotta Drive, Concord, CA 94519
Contact Name: Katy Colbath, Program Specialist
Contact E-mail: colbathk@mdusd.k12.ca.us
Contact Telephone: 682-8000, Extension 4040
FAX: (925) 689-0597
Website: www.mdusd.k12.ca.us
Age Group Served: Kindergarten–Grade Twelve

Brief Description:
English Learners are supported in MDUSD K–12 through daily classes in English Language Development, which focus on speaking, listening, reading and writing English. Additionally, specially credentialed classroom teachers teach other subjects to provide comprehensible lessons supported by visuals, graphic organizers, primary language support, etc.

Mount Diablo Unified School District

K–5 Language Arts

1936 Carlotta Drive, Concord CA 94519
Contact Name: Maria McCullough, Curriculum Specialist
Contact E-mail: mcculloughm@mdusd.k12.ca.us
Contact Telephone: (925) 682-8000 ext 4044
FAX: (925) 689-0597
Website: www.mdusd.k12.ca.us
Age Group Served: Kindergarten–Grade Five

Brief Description:
The Mount Diablo Unified School District K–12 librarians have been hosting a Young Author’s Gala for the past 24 years. All students are encouraged to write books, which are then displayed at the gala. Students receive medals for their efforts. Nationally renowned authors are featured as speakers, as well as district officials and community members.
The librarians and literacy coaches act as the literacy leaders in the district. Schools and parents are supported through Literacy Nights, training, and the annual MDUSD Leadership Conference, where raising achievement for all students and closing the achievement gap are the primary goals.

Mount Diablo Unified School District

6–12 Language Arts

1936 Carlotta Drive, Concord CA 94519
Contact Name: Evie Groch, Curriculum Specialist
Contact E-mail: groche@mdusd.k12.ca.us
Contact Telephone: (925) 682-8000, Extension 4035
FAX: (925) 689-0597
Website: www.mdusd.k12.ca.us
Age Group Served: Grades Six–Twelve

Brief Description:
Offers ongoing professional development for teachers and administrators in all forms of literacy strategies and how they integrate with all the content areas. From Six Trait Writing, textbook adoptions, Advanced Placement/Honors courses, Second Language support, AB 75 and AB 466 training to intervention materials and strategies that support below level readers and special education students. They provide opportunities for teachers of students of all ability levels.

Mt. Diablo CARES After School Program

City of Concord Community & Recreation
Services Department

1950 Parkside Drive MS/10, Concord, CA 94519 (mail)
1760 Clayton Road, Concord, CA 94520 (office)
Contact Name: Matthew Fragoso
Contact E-mail: matthew.fragoso@ci.concord.ca.us
Contact Telephone: (925) 671-3034
FAX: (925) 671-3261
Website: www.cityofconcord.org/recreation/thingstodo/afterschool.htm
Age Group Served: Kindergarten–Grade Twelve

Brief Description:
Mt. Diablo CARES After School Program is a collaborative of the Concord Community & Recreation Services Department, The Mount Diablo Unified School District, Bay Area Community Resources and the Ambrose Recreation and Park District to provide enrichment, academic and support services for children and their families beyond the traditional school day.
Elementary and Middle School Programs run a minimum of three hours a day, five days a week throughout the school year and summer session. High school hours vary. Activities include homework club, reading and math tutorial, interest-based classes, sports and games, computers, cooking, dance, drama, arts and crafts, music, science, gardening, expanded learning opportunities, Junior Achievement, violence prevention curriculum, teambuilding, conflict mediation, counseling, parent education, family nights and special events.

Picture Book Time

Concord Community Library

2900 Salvio Street, Concord, CA 94519
Telephone: (925) 646-5109
Contact Name: Susan Muff, Children’s Librarian
Contact E-mail: smuff@ccclib.org
Contact Telephone: (925) 646-5109
FAX: (925) 646-5453
Age Group Served: Ages 3½–5

Brief Description:
This program provides a pre-school early literacy experience to children 3½–5 years old through the presentation of stories and movement games that help young children develop reading and language skills in preparation for beginning Kindergarten. Children also learn group socialization skills.

Project Second Chance: Adult Literacy Program

Contra Costa County Library

1750 Oak Park Boulevard, Pleasant Hill, CA 94523
Contact Name: Laura Seaholm, Program Manager
Contact E-mail: Lseaholm@ccclib.org
Contact Telephone: (925) 927-3250
FAX: (925) 646-6461
Website: www.ccclib.org/psc/psc.html
Age Group Served: Adults age 16+

Brief Description:
Project Second Chance (PSC), the Contra Costa County Library Adult Literacy Program, offers free, one-on-one tutoring to people who are over 16, not enrolled in school. It is designed for those who speak English and want to improve their basic reading, writing and spelling skills. Trained volunteers provide instruction. Student/tutor pairs meet twice a week, for an hour and a half each time, at public locations throughout the county.
For information about how to train to be a volunteer tutor call Laura Seaholm.

RAP Recreation After School Program

City of Concord Community & Recreation
Services Department
Pine Hollow Middle School

5522 Pine Hollow Road, Concord, CA 94521
Contact Name: Sarah Jackson, Program Coordinator
Contact E-mail: sjackson@ci.concord.ca.us
Contact Telephone: (925) 671-3118
FAX: (925) 671-5467
Website: www.cityofconcord.org/recreation/thingstodo/afterschool.htm
Age Group Served: Grades Six–Eight

Brief Description:
RAP is an after school program for young teens at Pine Hollow Middle School. Students help plan the programs with the teachers who staff the program. Activities include sports, life skills, tutoring and homework help, enrichment classes.

Reach Out and Read

Contra Costa County Library
Wilruss Office

1750 Oak Park Boulevard, Pleasant Hill, CA 94523
Contact Name: Lyn Palme
Contact E-mail: lpalme@ccclib.org
Contact Telephone: (925) 927-3288
FAX: (925) 646-6461
Age Group Served: 6 months–5 years

Brief Description:
Reach out and read is a pediatric literacy program serving low-income children ages 6 months to 5 years. Parents and children are given. advice and encouragement to share books together, use the library and make reading an important and healthy part of childhood. Books and information are given at well child visits in pediatric clinics in Richmond, Concord, and Pittsburg. The program is part of a national organization and was created in partnership with County Health Service and the County Library. The library also maintains a Stories-To-Go program.

SAT Senior Action Team of the

Monument Community Partnership Literacy Program

1120 Virginia Lane #1, Concord, CA 94520
Contact Name: Hilda Gimenez-Paglia
Contact Telephone: (925) 288-0095
Brief Description: We teach English as a tool to enable our community to more readily integrate (into) the life of this country.
Spanish Classes: Monday, 7 p.m.
English Classes: Tuesday and Thursday, 7 p.m.

Stories To Go

Contra Costa County Library
Wilruss Office

1750 Oak Park Boulevard, Pleasant Hill, CA 94523
Contact Name: Lyn Palme
Contact E-mail: lpalme@ccclib.org
Contact Telephone: (925) 927-3288
FAX: (925) 646-6461
Age Group Served: Preschool

Brief Description:
The Stories to Go program trains volunteers to read to children in local preschools on a weekly basis. The library provides materials, training, and ongoing support to assist readers and preschools create and develop preliteracy skills and repeated story times. The program is county wide but also serves the Monument Corridor with the help of volunteers from the Monument Community Partnership.

Summer Reading Program

Concord Community Library

2900 Salvio Street, Concord, CA 94519
Contact Name: Susan Muff, Children’s Librarian
Contact E-mail: smuff@ccclib.org
Contact Telephone: (925) 646-5109
FAX: (925) 646-5453
Website: www.contra-costa.lib.ca.us/programs/conc.html
Age Group Served: All Ages

Brief Description:
This program “bridges the reading gap” between school semesters by encouraging children of all ages to keep up and continue to develop their reading skills throughout the summer months. The library provides participating children with a reading game board to track 15 hours of reading and the library also provides reading incentive prizes.

Teen Reading Program

Concord Community Library

2900 Salvio Street, Concord, CA 94519
Contact Name: Chris Takata, Adult Services/Young Adult Services Librarian
Contact E-mail: ctakata@ccclib.org
Contact Telephone: (925) 646-5109
FAX: (925) 646-5453
Website: www.contra-costa.lib.ca.us/programs/conc.html
Age Group Served: Grades Six–Twelve

Brief Description:
Once a year in the fall, the Contra Costa Library offers a county wide program to encourage teen reading for recreation and pleasure. The Library offers incentive prizes to teens for reading a total of 15 hours over a six-week period. Teens are asked to write short “book reviews” which they can submit at any Contra Costa County Library or on a special “Teen Reading Web Site” created by the Contra Costa County Library.

Toddler Time

Concord Community Library

2900 Salvio Street, Concord, CA 94519
Contact Name: Susan Muff. Children’s Librarian
Contact E-mail: smuff@ccclib.org
Contact Telephone: (925) 646-5109
FAX: (925) 646-5453
Age Group Served: Ages 2–3
Website: www.contra-costa.lib.ca.us/programs/conc.html

Brief Description:
This program provides toddlers ages 2–3 preliteracy experiences through the presentation of stories and movement games that help develop early language and preliteracy skills such as word recognition, sound identification, and object recognition. Toddlers also learn group socialization skills.