The Dover Adult Learning Center received a donation of $100 from One More Referral (OMR). DALC is the OMR Community Service Partner for 2011. Board Member Maggie Moore accepted the check on behalf of the Center. Throughout the year DALC is given an opportunity to present their mission, goals and needs, at OMR meetings and will benefit from various fundraisers throughout the year. Executive Director, Deanna Strand, says the funds will help DALC provide support services for adult students like childcare for parents improving their reading and math skills, preparing to earn a GED or learning to speak English. Donations also support scholarships for adult high school tuition and graduation caps and gowns. One More Referral is a networking group providing an opportunity for business professionals to develop personal relationships with other qualified professionals. The group began in Dover and now has a number of chapters in New Hampshire and Maine.
From Life Lessons to Vocabulary Lessons Students at Dover Adult Learning Center are participating in Dover Reads in their own special way. The students in Kim Hanson's evening Adult Basic Education class read the book, 1000 Tracings by Lita Judge and created a vocabulary lesson in the form of a poster. In the book a mother and daughter get foot tracings from people in need in war-ravaged Europe, they try to find second-hand shoes to based on the tracings and send them overseas. Each tracing represents a story. In the class project, each student drew a tracing of their foot, and then drew a word from a hat, the vocabulary words were all from the book. The class then determined which part of speech each word is, such as noun or verb. The last step was to write the word down on their tracing, define it in the context of the book and use it in a sentence. Christine said 1000 Tracings made her feel sad, father was gone a long time and the families had so little. "It was a very good book and very sad". Ilsa said it must have been very sad for people who had no work and very little and the father was gone. Thelma also felt sad, because the families did not have proper clothes and shoes, and it brought to mind her own family in the Philippines, "without me they might be dying because they are so poor". Thelma says she is very happy to be here and to be able provide for folks far away, just like the characters in the book. Duane wrote an essay for the writing contest portion o f the Dover Reads program. He says 1000 Tracings is about generosity and compassion. It teaches an important lesson that you should appreciate all that you do have. Duane also volunteers for Special Olympics, "It makes me feel great knowing I can help someone else." Christine and her friends are helping a soon-to-be young mother find a place to live. She herself has fallen on hard times in the past and really appreciates the donations people make so that shelters can provide for those who need it. Thelma's church collects clothes for the needy as well.
Surrounded by her fellow residents at the Riverside Rest Home, 66-year-old, Ann Searles was honored Tuesday for passing the United States citizenship exam. The hall was decked out with patriotic streamers and a special throne for the guest of honor.
The celebration began with the pledge of allegiance and followed by red, white and blue cake and sparkling cider. Searles, who came to the United States from Edinburgh, Scotland at the age of 10, has never voted and said more than anything she was motivated by the desire to vote.
She first came to the Dover Adult Learning Center years ago, but found it difficult to complete her goals. Her determination finally paid off when she was matched up last year with volunteer tutor Ann Conger. Conger says Searles is a very dedicated student. The two would meet once a week at the home and Searles would study on her own. Her motivation and determination made her tutor proud.
The citizenship test normally consists of 100 questions, but individuals 65 or older are required to answer just 20 questions. Still, Searles had a great deal to learn and said she struggled with understanding the three branches of the federal government until her tutor drew an actual tree with three branches to help her remember.
A date has not been set for the swearing in ceremony but it will likely be held in Concord or Bedford. Even though she has passed her test Searles plans to continue studying and says there is still so much she wants to learn about United States history and government. Volunteer tutor, Conger was herself a student at the Dover Adult Learning Center earning her GED in 1993, the same year as her son graduated from high school, and has gone on to help others.
Debbie Liskow, coordinator of the adult tutorial program, said there is always a need for more volunteer tutors to help students with a variety of subjects, like math, reading, the GED and citizenship. To find out more email dalc@dalc-Online.org or call 742-1030.
Students Learn about Government from Representative-Elect Dot Hooper Students in the morning English for Speakers of Other Languages learned about the workings of city, county and state government from Dover City Councilor Dot Hooper. Hooper, who was also just elected to represent the Dover area as a member of state legislature, was able to tell the students about her orientation and which committees she will likely serve on. She showed the students how to find information on the city website and took questions from them about various issues, like landlord tenant relations, dog parks rules and such.
Come Help Us Grow! Campaign reaches goal
Six months ahead of schedule, the major gifts campaign launched in 2006 came to a close. Over 100 generous donors pledged $100,000 to secure the future of the Center in the McConnell Center. Donors were thanked by board president, Don Nary in a reception at board member Paula Ciotti's home on July 29, 2010.
Many thanks to all donors who made this dream a reality!
Students at the Dover Adult Learning Center are doing a little holiday shopping between classes this week thanks to some generous donations of new and gently-used or "re-gift-able" items.
In addition to jewelry, perfume, handbags, small electronics, puzzles and games; there are holiday items, crafts and ornaments as well. The items are offered at very affordable prices most a dollar or less to allow the students a chance to buy a nice gift that they might not otherwise be able to afford.
Students can also purchase raffle tickets for some super baskets put together by staff. One features a spa theme with assorted soaps and lotions, another has a tea set. There's a basket of schools supplies and an office supply assortment as well.
This fall, Dover Adult Learning Center was fortunate to have been chosen, along with the Birchtree Center in Newington, as the charity beneficiaries of the Lonza Harvest Open. The Harvest Open team planned and carried off a fun and well-organized golf tournament on September 16 that raised over $60,000 to support our educational programs for adult learners and children and youth with autism. Nearly 200 golfers enjoyed a beautiful day of golf at two lovely area courses, The Links at Outlook and The Ledges, complete with raffles, challenges and contests. Volunteers from the two charity beneficiaries staffed the event and enjoyed the day as well. At the awards banquet, it was evident that Lonza is committed to making a difference by supporting non-profits who address key issues in our community.
Every year for the past nine years, Lonza has hosted this event, raising more than half-a-million dollars for local charities. This event was a success because of the hard work and dedication of the Lonza staff and because of the generosity of the hundreds of tournament sponsors, raffle prize donors, volunteers, golf course staff members, and golfers who contributed time, treasure and talent for two worthy causes. The tournament proceeds will allow us to help many more children and youth with autism and adults to achieve full and productive lives.
The 29th Annual Red's Run for a Better Community is a hit!
On Sunday April 25, 540 runners and 385 walkers came out to get some exercise, enjoy the spring weather and support 7 local nonprofot agencies! Three students from Dover Adult Learning Center earned over $200 in pledges for their efforts and were recognized in a ceremony at the Center. Benny Wong's contribution helped his class win a pizza party. Thanks to all the students, staff, volunteers and board members who made race day a success!
Fifty-two players beat the rain and turned out on a recent Saturday morning to play a round robin game of miniature golf. Eighteen beautiful mums, generously donated by Tuttles went to the folks who got the first hole-in-one on each hole. Four "mini grand prizes" were awarded to the players with the two lowest and the two highest scores, and lots of fun prizes went to players of all ages and abilities. Wonderful raffle prizes from local businesses went to lucky winners.
Thanks to the board members who, showed up early and made it all happen like clockwork, to Hilltop Fun Center for opening early for us and providing a lovely course to play on and to the many sponsors, donors, volunteers and players who made the eighth annual Miniature Golf Tournament a huge success this year.
Adult Learning Center Welcomes New Director!
On August 17, Dover Adult Learning Center of Strafford County welcomed its fourth director in 38 years. Deanna Strand follows Jim Verschueren, who retired in June. Deanna brings nearly ten years of experience in the field of adult learning and literacy to the Center, including experience in York County and in Rockingham County. She says she is "pleased that the board and staff of DALC have given me their trust and confidence, and thrilled to have the opportunity to join such an amazing group of dedicated individuals in serving the adult learners of Strafford County." Paula Deplanche of the search committee says, "we believe Deanna will bring us to the ‘next level' of growth, as well as continue established successes as an educational facility that is focused on our mission of helping adults in the Strafford County area enhance their life-coping skills and improve their lives through basic education, job training, high school completion, and enrichment classes." On behalf of the board of directors, president Don Nary expresses "confidence that the center will continue to grow and prosper, as it did with Jim, under our new executive director's leadership. It is with open arms that the center welcomes Deanna Strand as our new executive director."
Call 742-1030 to be added to the mailing list OR email dalc@dalc-online.org.
