July 26, 2016 • Page 14 shop online at www.missourivalleyshopper.com ********************************************* Yankton Area Literacy Council The Yankton Area Literacy Council (YALC) continues to function after almost 30 years. It has undergone many changes since it was first started by 1987, and it continues to evolve. YALC is currently located in the UCC office at 218 W. 5th St. Since fall of 2014 when the long-time coordinator resigned and moved, the agency has undergone many changes: some positive and some less than optimal. It has had three phone numbers, three locations and two coordinators. Now for the positive changes. Each coordinator brought a special vision and skills to back that vision. YALC has benefitted from both. YALC’s mission is to effect change by improving individual literacy skills through the valuable use of trained volunteers and by expanding community awareness. Literacy is not only being able to read and write, but also to be computer literate and to understand math concepts well enough to function in today’s world. “The YALC board of directors and volunteers promote literacy by offering free reading, writing, math, computer literacy and English Language Learning classes in Bon Homme, Clay and Yankton counties,” said Board President Patty Stuelpnagel. “Historically these classes have been offered to adults and children. With the arrival of Cornerstones Learning Center in Yankton and Vermillion, the focus of YALC will soon change to individuals under 18 years of age.” Some of the activities of YALC include recruiting and training volunteers, fundraising to support the programs and buy material, one-on-one tutoring and group tutoring, as well as providing learning activities including: reading to children at Head Start, participating in the Kids Art Fest by providing an art project and having Ms. Santa Claus read to children at Christmas time. Free books are distributed to children at each of these activities. Parties and picnics have been held for all ages. Those currently attending classes include several from South Sudan, from Mexico, from Afghanistan, from China, from other South and Central American countries and from Cuba. One American woman is improving her reading skills. During a recent strategic planning conference, members of the board, volunteers, and local area organizations’ representatives discussed ways that YALC could expand and enhance the services offered to the community. “This meeting was very beneficial in helping us plan future programming,” Stuelpnagel said. “It was good to consider the unmet needs in this area.” Only the three, most popular with the participants at the conference, were discussed: tutoring goals, partnership goals and marketing/promotion goals. Tutoring Goals 1. Develop a library of supplemental materials that will be available to students and volunteers to expand literacy. 2. Expand the curriculum to Interested in this spot? certified public accountants Harry Lane, Electrical Contractor • Commercial • Residential • Farm Wiring • Prompt Service • Quality Work • Competitive Prices New Construction or Remodeling • Home 665-6612 appeal to students' immediate needs and various interests, matching students' appropriate level of difficulty. 3. Create activities and events that promote literacy skills through socialization. Partnership Goals 1. Initiate a pilot program by partnering with Retired Senior Voluneeers Program (RSVP) and the Yankton School District to provide tutoring in reading and math. 2. Establish 3 – 5 strong partnerships by 2017 with area organizations to expand literacy services. 3. Partner with Cornerstones to identify family or other needs not covered by their programming, and to fill gaps. “Parents as Teachers (PAT) partnered with us for the Ms. Santa Claus reading this past year. Deanna Branaugh, educator/coordinator of PAT, came dressed as an elf to assist Ms. Claus (Gerri Healy),” Board Member Veronica "Roni" Trezona said. “Deanna is already dreaming up more activities to add this year. That partnership proved to be so much fun and so successful that the YALC board is looking forward to developing and maintaining partnerships with other area organizations.” Marketing/Promotion Goals 1. Market the services by personally communicating with employers in order to build awareness and recruit students. 2. Market the services and recruit potential students through a website and social media promotion. Trezona and Pedro Reyes have expanded the Facebook page so that everyone can post on it. “The only problem,” said Reyes, “Is that there are now three pages under the name Yankton Area Literacy Council. We still have to solve that problem.” People at the conference took responsibility for the goals, timelines and measurement of successes were set. The board will be scrambling to meet the timelines. “The board currently consists of seven members: President Stuelpnagel, Secretary Deanne Geditz, Treasurer Sharon Fiedler, Sandra Brown, Jerome Klimisch, Trezona and myself,” said Vice President Molly Carlson, “but more are needed to help do the work ahead.” Up to 14 members can serve on the board at a time. The board currently meets at 5:15 on the first Call 665-5884 to place your ad here. Call 665-5884 to place your ad here. 1000 Cattle Drive • Yankton, SD We l c o m e t o Ya n k t o n ! 1-800-759-5275 1000 Cattle Dr., Yankton, SD Fax: 605-665-8908 665-1665 Interested in this spot? Salute Our Guardians with the...665-5884 to Call place your ad here. 605-665-3762 800-952-2424 2200 E. HWY. 50 YANKTON, SD 57078 www.missourivalleyshopper.com 212 Walnut Street, Historic Downtown Yankton 605-665-2067 Yankton, SD • 605-665-3762 Freeman, SD • 605-925-4241 Wagner, SD • 605-384-4580 DAKOTA ARCHERY & OUTDOOR SPORTS T RUSTED F OR G ENERATIONS 2901 Douglas Yankton, SD 57078-4841 DIRECTORS: 605-665-3644 Jim Wintz • Jerry Wintz Fax 605-665-3646 • Paul Wintz • Steve Wintz www.wintzrayfuneralhome.com 1-800-765-6213 won $20, both from Yankton. In the adult division winner Barbara Peitzmeier, Bloomfield, won $50; second place Michael Carlson, Yankton, won $30; third place Dorothy Lidberg, Bloomfield, won $20, and other players won $10 each. Other players included Doug Conti and Don Fiedler from Yankton and Dona Eckmann from Bloomfield. Sponsors of the tournament included Modern Woodmen, David Hosmer and Randy Johnson with Raymond James, First Dakota National Bank and First National Bank of South Dakota. Other sources of income include the annual membership drive, usually held in December and January, and the United Way. “We are hopeful that the funding will continue,” Pastor Carlson said. “We are waiting to hire the right person to help us continue to grow.” We encourage people to visit and like our Facebook page at Yankton Area Literacy Council. We hope you pick the newest one! INTERESTED IN THIS SPOT? For Flooring with a Professional Touch Yankton Office 207 Douglas Avenue • PO Box 1018 Yankton, SD 57078 605-665-4401 • Fax: 605-665-0592 Tuesday of the month. Anyone interested in volunteering with the literacy council, please contact yanktonliteracy@gmail.com or call 760-4803. Volunteering can include serving as a board member, as a tutor, as public relations liaison or in other ways. The annual Scrabble tournament “Spellebrate for a Good Cause” is held as a benefit for the YALC. Practice sessions were held before the tournament this year, and the winner of the tournament seems to have gained from attending the practices. Setting up a Scrabble Club is one of the goals set by the "Spellebrate" winner, Barbara Pietzmeier. The Sixth Annual “Spellebrate for a Good Cause” was held in late April at the Technical Educational Center, 1200 W. 21st St. in Yankton. The amateur Scrabble Tournament drew fewer participants than at any other time. This was a disappointment for the Yankton Area Literacy Council who sponsored the event, but a bonus for the few participants who showed up and won prizes. Only eight participants were present, six adults and two students. The $180 prize money was divided up so that everyone got at least double their registration fee back. In the student division Adam Carlson won $30 and Simon Carlson 605-665-8340 www.missourivalleyshopper.com 2305 E. 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