News Member of ProLiteracy America Vol. 10 Winter 2017

Adrian Rea Literacy Center

Phone: 517.264.7320

Phone for Spanish

Speaking Only:

517.264.7327

www.adrianrealiteracy.org

info@adrianrealiteracy.org

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BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Mary Poore, President

Rev. Drew Hart, Vice President

Carleen Maly, OP

Executive Director to

the Board

Maricela Barrios-Alvarez

Kathleen Clausen, OP

Rudy Flores

Donna Marowelli

Mike Masters

Amy Palmer

Mike Perez,

Peter Anthony Schulte, OP

John Solis

Paula Williams

STAFF

Carleen Maly, OP Director

Kathleen Clausen, OP

Administrator

Sarah Cavanaugh, OP &

Joanne McCauley, OP

Administrative Assistants

Brenda Sparkman

Computer Coordinator

Dear Friends,

As I write this we are enjoying the long Thanksgiving weekend break and are

aware of an “attitude of gratitude” that permeates our minds and hearts not only

during these days but every day. The past few months have been filled with an

abundance of blessings for us at the literacy center.

Fifteen new learners have registered for classes, new tutors have been

certified, and we hope that more volunteers will attend our next tutor preparation

workshop in January to fill an ongoing need. We have celebrated special

achievements and milestones with our learners, some of which are highlighted in this

newsletter. Enjoy reading a variety of learners’ stories, written with the guidance of

their wonderful tutors.

Preparations continue for our 10th Anniversary celebration on February 6,

2018. This will be an open house event for our tutors, learners, and their families, as

well as members of the community who may have never visited the Center. We hope

this will also be a reunion with former tutors and learners whom we invite to “come

back home” to see each other.

A wonderful blessing in honor of our anniversary is the gift of a talented

videographer and new friend of the Center, Tony Collings. Tony spent a great deal

of time with us in September and October filming learners, tutors, and staff and has

captured our spirit in a video called “Opening Doors.” You can view the video on

our lovely new website www.adrianrealiteracy.org—just click on the “About Us”

tab. (see page 6 of the newsletter).

Thanks to the ARLC Board and friends of the Center new contacts have been

made with family members, businesses, and members of the Adrian community and

beyond to donate to our mission of giving adult learners the gift of reading. The

generosity of new and continuing donors is pure blessing for us, and we are most

grateful for each and every gift. As you will see on our Anniversary Fund

thermometer we are off to a great start toward reaching our goal of $75,000. Thank

you in advance for your continued support.

Please know that you and your loved ones remain in our hearts and prayers.

All of us on the staff wish you a blessed Christmas and peace-filled new year.

Sister Carleen

Vol. 10 Winter 2017 Vol. 7 Winter 2014 Page 2

The Adrian Rea Literacy Center is a designated 501c3 non-profit educational program that provides one-to-

one tutoring at no cost to our learners. We exist entirely on grant funding and donations. Therefore, our

donors are a vital part of the Literacy Center and we are grateful for their support.

The following donors supported the Adrian Rea Literacy Center since July 1, 2017 through December 1, 2017.

This list includes donors who contributed to our 10th Anniversary Fund.

We Thank You!

Monetary Donors

Adrian Electric and Generator Co.

Anonymous

Anonymous

Anonymous

Anna Allison

Catherine and Frank Barrack

Sally and Barry Brooks

Julia Cazares

Joan M. Chappa

Dr.Kelly Cichy and Lorenzo Cristaudo

Virginia K. Clark

Kathleen Clausen, O.P.

Marita Cremeans

Nancy Marie Delaney

Carole and Rolf Deutsch

Patricia and Daniel Dow

Rita Drexler, O.P.

Patricia and Brian Dubel

Shirley Ehnis

Sharronn and Danny Etter

Therese Mary Foote, O.P.

Rebecca and Donald Fry

Gleaner Life Insurance Society

Lee A. Groeb

Anne Guinan, O.P.

Lisa and Robert Hart

Linda and Fred Herman

Maria Ibarra and Scott Doman

Ofelio Ibarra

Susan Jacobson

Helen Kelley

Robert J. Landini

Anne Liam Lees, O.P.

Carleen Maly, O.P.

St. Mary’s Stewardship Outreach

Carolyn and John Marr

Margaret and Walter Maund

Kathleen McCann, O.P.

Joanne McCauley, O.P.

Ruth and Dave McDiarmid

Patricia McDonald, O.P.

Jeri and Tom Melnik

Rev. Thomas E. Murphy

Nicole and Patrick Mulvaney

Margaret and Bill Noe

Diane F. Odette, O.P.

Margaret O’Flynn,O.P.

Old National Bank

Amy Palmer

Lorraine Pepin, O.P.

Michael Perez

Paula and Jack Pilarski

Victoria Powell

Noel and Steve Prokopovich

Thomas Pusczewicz

Joel Rodriguez

Julie and Jay Ross

Mimi Rungteranoont

Paula Cortes and Esteban Sanchez

Sharon and Martin Scott

Service Master by the Border

Bill and Vi Sigmund Foundation

Darlene and Lynn Southward

John F. Solis

Sharon Spanbauer, O.P.

Brenda Sparkman, O.P.

Patricia Stafford Sturk

Sharon and Bill Sturk

Barbara J. Taruscio

West C. Mack Endowment

Paula and Joseph Williams

Kathleen M. Woods

Vol. 10 Winter 2017

Page 3 Vol. 10 Winter 2017

Donors continued

$75,000

In Memory of:

+Nadine Foley, O.P. – Krieghoff-Lenawee Company

+Charles F. May –

Loretta May, O.P.

Roberta J. May

+Holly Bobola Roberts – Beverly Bobola, O.P.

+Leslie Hartway, O.P. - Lorrayne Thielemans

+Ralph Laya – Shirley Laya

+Donald James Dunn, Jr. – Gail Dunn

+Donna Marie Wencel, O.P. – Maureen King

+Esma Kisela

+John McCauley – Joanne McCauley, O.P.

In Honor of:

Ann Fallon,O.P. – Elizabeth Livingston Howard

Adrian Dominican Sisters –

Elizabeth and Michael Howard

Jeremy and Amy Palmer

Carleen Maly, O.P. –

Jodie Screes, O.P.

Siena Heights University

Deborah Carter

Pat Stafford Sturk –

Janet Eshenroder

Emily Patalan

Deb and Doug Scharp

Lois Hoh, O.P.

Donald E. Mc Adam

Sarah Cavanaugh, O.P. –

Siena Heights University

Bernard and Ginger Marowelli –

Donna and Koby Marowelli

Our Adrian Dominican Friends –

Marianne and Ed Soistman

The Joseph Cavanaugh Family –

Joseph Cavanaugh

Multi-Year Grants

Lenawee Community Foundation

Hilda E. Bretzlaff Foundation, Inc.

Berlin Family Fund

Ministry Trust Grant

Dominican Rea Literacy Corporation

Knight Family Fund Grant

Raskob Foundation

Stubnitz Foundation

IN-Kind: Time, Expertise, Snacks

Supplies, Equipment, Books

Julia Cazares

Tony Collings

Kim Czmer

Trish Fanning

Sharronn Etter

Jack Georgal

Milagros Gonzalez

Pauline Gross

Sue Hammersmith

Fernando Hernandez

Teresa Horn

Maria Ibarra

Irene James

Marcine Klemm, O.P.

Miriam Joseph Lekan, OP

Maria Lopez

Jose Luis Perez

Victoria Powell

Edilberta Ajanel

Darlene Southward

Brenda Sparkman

Mary Thompson

Kathleen Vanderpool

Paul James Villemure, OP

Chris Wrona

Sheila Wathen

Ahlene Zureki

Thank you

for helping to

reach 26%

of our goal.

Page 4 Vol. 10 Winter 2017

Our Learners write….

I Am A Personifier!

By E.S.

I read the story of “The Endurance.” This was the name of the ship that Sir

Ernest Shackleton attempted to sail to the South Pole. In the story, Shackleton referred to the ship as

“she.” Sir Shackleton talked about the ship as if it was a living thing, but it was not. He spent a lot of time

in it; it was normal that he felt it was a part of him.

This story introduced me to personification—giving human qualities to a thing.

After reading this story, I understand Sir Shackleton because I feel the same. I am going to explain

a little bit about that. When my wife and I arrived in the United States and we started to work, we had to

walk every day from the house to work for one long year, even in bad weather like extreme cold. So

when we bought our car after one year, we really valued it. That happened fourteen years ago, so I know

“her” very well, and I know when something is wrong. Sometimes I talk to “her.” I say, “What’s the

matter with you, my little girl?” It’s crazy, but it’s what I do. I guess that makes me a personifier!

A Letter to My Tutor

10/23/2017

Dear Gail,

New things are happening every day. I write to you because I haven’t seen you in many months.

Oscar and I bought a house. It is perfect for us. The living room is so big and I have a laundry room now.

The kitchen is medium size but it’s perfect for me because now I can cook my favorite desserts. The yard

is huge but it is a lot of work to cut the grass but Oscar does that so I’m not worried.

We went to Mexico two months ago. I visited my sister in Guanajuato. This city has a romantic

air and enchantment to it. It’s a colonial town that keeps up their old traditions and practices; the car

traffic is controlled by the police. The stores can’t have modern signs and the old houses in downtown

cannot be destroyed. This city is called, “The City of Tunnels,” you can walk in these tunnels or take a

bus. It’s amazing and exciting! I hope one day you and Kevin can come with us and enjoy the traditional

food, the beauty of parks, the romantic streets and the humble people.

That’s all for today and call me later.

Sincerely,

P.E.

Vol. 10 Winter 2017 Page 5

Dealing with My Schizophrenia

Written by One of Our Learners

Living with schizophrenia is tough. Every day since 2016 I have been dealing with anxiety,

insomnia, and paranoia. I also hear voices. My aunt has been helping me get through this. She is the

only person who I believe can help me. She has taught me how to control the racing thoughts and the

voices I hear in my head. My aunt has shown me that even with this illness I can still live a normal life.

When I first experienced symptoms of schizophrenia I put myself in dangerous situations. I

smoked weed every day. I drank liquor every other day. I would spend my time looking to get a buzz.

Now I will not smoke or drink. I feel that if I don't do those things it will keep me from back tracking

on the progress I made.

Coming from being a drug abuser and hanging out with toxic people, I have learned that you can't

go back and hang out with people who did all that stuff to try and destroy you.

The word schizophrenia means split mind. The earlier someone with schizophrenia is diagnosed

and stabilized on treatment, the better the long term prognosis for their illness. In rare instances,

children as young as five can develop schizophrenia.

Early intervention and early use of new medications leads to better medical outcomes for the

individual. I received help before it was too late and it saved my life. If you have schizophrenia, go to

a doctor and get checked out. You can have a chance at a normal life.

My Little Emmanuel by

M.L.

My baby’s name is Emmanuel. He was born on February 25th

of this year.

He is a happy baby. He smiles all the time for everything. My husband, my children and I are

happy with him. Emmanuel has made our home happier.

He now is 6 months old and can roll over and sits alone. He is starting to talk a little and eat food

like fruits and vegetables. We all love little Emmanuel.

and write….

Vol. 10 Winter 2017 Page 6

Little Giant by E.P.

A few weeks ago I was walking to the break room, when I saw a book about

Ruby Bridges. It was a biography, and it sparked my curiosity.

“Who is Ruby Bridges?” I asked myself.

Well I didn’t know, but there was one way to find out, so I asked my teacher

if I could do an assignment. Caroline is a cool teacher; of course she said “yes.”

Ruby Bridges was born September 8, 1954 in Tyler Mississippi. When she was 6 years old the

American government said blacks and whites had the right to go to the same schools.

The local educators gave a test to 150 black kids. Only 6 passed the test, including Ruby. Three

were scheduled to go to Williams Frankz Elementary School.

On November 14, 1960, Ruby Bridges made history by becoming the first African-American child

to integrate into a white southern elementary school.

She had to be escorted by her mother and U.S. Marshalls. Her teacher Mrs. Henry was key for

Ruby to deal with the adversity. Ruby was not allowed to eat in the cafeteria or to go out to play. She

said “I was hurt but not angry.”

She graduated from the University of Kansas City with a degree in travel and tourism.

In my opinion, it is a very inspirational history story. I think our faith and love are the most

important things in our lives.

and write!

Don’t forget to continue to keep visiting our website to see what’s new at www.adrianrealiteracy.org.

You can access the video mentioned in Sister Carleen’s letter by clicking on the “About Us” tab which is

indicated by the arrow above. Our site is PC and Smartphone friendly.

The next opportunities to give the gift of reading

will be January 26 & 27, 2018 and

April 20 & 21, 2018 at our next tutor

workshops. Tell a friend!

Call to register: 517.264.7320 or

visit our website at www.adrianrealiteracy.org

Page 7 Vol. 10 Winter 2017

Learners in the Spotlight

Welcome to Our New Tutors

September 15 & 16, 2017 Workshop

Newly trained tutors seated left to right:

Sister Joan Mehney, Sister Cora Marie Campbell,

Janie Loredo, Darlene Southward, and Tina Adams.

Trainers standing left to right: Brenda Sparkman,

Sister Carleen Maly, and Sister Mary Kastens

(not pictured – Sister Joanne McCauley)

CONGRATULATIONS, MARTINA, ON BECOMING A

UNITED STATES CITIZEN!

Martina (center) is pictured with her

current tutor, Carolyn Marr (on left) and her

previous tutor, Cindy Van Gorder (on right)

LEARNER GIVES BACK

TO COMMUNITY

Fausto taught his Morenci youth

soccer team the rules and skills of

the sport and coached them

through a successful season.

Learner Ofelio successfully completed the

American Red Cross requirements for “First Aid.”

His certificate is good for two years.

CONGRATULATIONS OFELIO!

1257 E. Siena Heights Dr.

Adrian MI 49221-1793

Adrian Rea Literacy Center

Completing our tenth

year of service!

You are invited to attend an Open House

to celebrate our 10 year birthday and to

honor the legacy and accomplishments

of our learners and tutors. Music, refreshments,

prizes for all ages, and books for children.

Save the date:

Tuesday, February 6, 2018

3:30-6:30 pm. Contact us . . . Adrian Rea Literacy Center

1257 E. Siena Heights Dr.

Adrian MI 49221-1793

Phone: 517.264.7320

www.adrianrealiteracy.org

info@adrianrealiteracy.org

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