The Federal government released its proposed budget for education spending, and the document is not pretty: the President's budget calls for "level funding" of adult education at $579.8 million, and recommends a zero budget for Even Start, the only federal reading program to involve both parents and children from birth to age eight. This program was funded at $225 million in 05-06, cut to $99 million for 06-07, and now faces no funding whatsoever. However, "level funding" is a little misleading, suggesting that there will be no impact on programs. Because of a number of higher costs, including increased salaries and benefit expenses, the higher cost of transportation and fuel, and the higher cost of computer hardware and program space, "level funding" amounts to a cut of about 10% from the Pennsylvania Department of Education's federal funding. The impact on the state has been massive: from Allentown to Zelienople, education programs received between 5% to 16.5% in funding cuts. More than 16% of LSH's Community Education and Employment Department contracts to provide education to adults have been slashed.
“The most prominent problem is that these cuts restrict the number of students we can serve,” says CEED Director Glenna Harkins. “We’ve responded to the federal cuts by reducing the number of classes we offer from 24 to 18. Many of our off-site afternoon classes will either be merged into a single class, or cut altogether.”
Another ramification of the federal cuts is that CEED staff has fewer resources to work with. “Any time you have cuts like this,” Ms. Harkins says, “it puts a strain on our instructors, which is unfortunate for everyone. Our instructors love to teach and want to improve the lives of their students, but there is only so much you can do. For example, Philadelphia’s immigrant population is exploding, and there is a real need for literacy programming. Yet the administration completely zeroed out the Even Start program!”
Even Start serves about 50,000 families across the country and about half of the parents who participate in the program are Latino. The program is unique because it’s based on the theory that a parent must be a child's first and most important teacher. Even Start teaches parents about their kids’ language and literacy development, and emphasizes the importance of reading extensively to them. By zeroing out the program, money needs to be shifted from other adult education funding streams to support this type of literacy education. “Cuts to Even Start affect our education department because there is less total funding for adult literacy and literacy programming, which the state cares about and wants to support,” says Harkins.
In response to these cuts, Pennsylvania’s Governor Rendell has recommended increasing the budget for adult education and family literacy programs by $5 million dollars. However, this represents only a fraction of the funds necessary to ensure that all Pennsylvanians have access to the education they need to find employment, and maintain independence and self-sufficiency.
“The proposed budget is expected to be finalized on September 30, 2007 and if approved will go into effect by July 1, 2008,” Ms. Harkins says. “If we’re going to weather this storm, Pennsylvanians who care about adult education should call their legislators in Washington and in Harrisburg and ask them to support increased funding for adult and family literacy.”
When the federal government cuts spending to state departments of education, local adult education programs like Lutheran Settlement House are often deeply affected. But the greater impact is on the learners- adults who come to us determined to improve their education and skills and to get and keep a living wage job.
Because of the 16% cut that LSH received to our adult education funding, we've had to take a hard look at how our programs operated and make some decisions about how to maximize our resources to continue serving our learners effectively. After months of planning with feedback from teachers, students, and our state funders, we've come up with a solid service plan that will include a restructuring of how we've taught classes, more comprehensive assessment and goal setting, and more intensive instruction. We believe that this will be an efficient and effectual way to operate the program, and more importantly, will help learners make gains and reach the objectives that they came to us seeking to achieve.
When Virginia Mackie enrolled at LSH in March 2004, she knew right away that she was at the right place. "I felt very comfortable," she says now of her first impression of her Pre-GED class. Considering that Virginia involuntarily left school more than ten years earlier, she might have had a more difficult transition back into the classroom. But with the help of her teacher, Elizabeth Corbett, she improved her writing and math skills and moved up to the GED level class after three months. Her new teacher, Heidi Haupt, helped her continue to overcome her challenges- particularly with algebra. "No matter how many times she had to go over the problem," says Virginia, "Heidi was very patient and wouldn't stop until we got it." She also credits Craig Weiner, a volunteer tutor who assisted in the GED class, with helping her along. "I definitely gained self-confidence," she says. It took a lot of persistence for Virginia, who became a mother early on and had to balance studying with raising two children. From the outset it was clear, though, what her motivation was: behind her hard work was her desire to help her children achieve by providing a positive role model. "I always tell my children if they want to be something in life, they need to go to school. Who am I to say anything when I didn't finish?" she wrote in her registration writing sample. "She put her children first, but managed to also reach her goals," says Heidi of her student with pride. Virginia clearly also had others in mind when she wanted to celebrate after taking her last GED exam on April 30. She brought in pizza for her old GED class, full of new students with goals of their own. "I want to tell others that if I can do it, starting from where I did, they can too!" How does she think she did on the Math test? "I knew I did well. I was laughing after I saw those questions." Virginia plans to continue her education by studying computer skills so she can reach her dream of becoming a real estate agent. But first, she's planning to celebrate her accomplishments after three years at LSH at the graduation ceremony in July.
I am happy to announce that on April 16, 2007, LSH re-opened our homeless shelter for women and children in West Philadelphia under a fresh name that reflects our history as well as the importance of the settlement house movement in American history: “The Jane Addams Place.” By the beginning of the summer, 29 women and over 50 children, from newborns to teenagers, will be living at the shelter.
For many of us, summer is a time for fun. The families living at Jane Addams Place face extreme poverty: many of their children dream of being able to do something fun like going down the shore, local water park, a baseball game, or a museum. Will you help Lutheran Settlement House make those dreams come true? Your financial contribution of $100 or more to the Jane Addams Place Summer fund pays for tickets to local museums, summer concerts for children, and trips to the country. Or donate your time and skills for the summer to give the kids a little bit of yourself by leading hikes at Fairmount Park or helping to plant a vegetable garden. Your contribution will ease the pain an insecurity of homelessness, and ensure that these families will have a summer they will always remember. You can securely and easily donate by clicking here...
For more information, please contact Suzette Belz at 215-426-8610 x 208.
Here is a recipe to quickly treat yourself to a very tasty summer style potato salad!
Serves at least 3 people
Ingredients:
5 potatoes ( cut into small cubes)
2 apples ( cut into small cubes)
2 boiled eggs ( chopped)
Mayonnaise (Small bottle, could be more, depends on how creamy you want the salad to be)
1 small can red peppers (chopped)
salt and pepper as per taste
1 good sized onion, chopped
1 teaspoon of white vinegar.
Cook the potatoes, drain and let then cool down. In a separate bowl mix the other ingredients without the mayonnaise. When the potatoes are cool, mix them with the other ingredients and add the mayonnaise.
Lutheran Settlement House is pleased to honor nine courageous women as the recipients of the 2007 Women of Courage: Women of Inspiration Awards. This year’s honorees have overcome incredible obstacles and made significant contributions to the community in the areas of Adult Education, Domestic Violence, Senior Services and Homeless Services.
Lutheran Settlement House (LSH), Verizon Wireless, Beneficial Savings Bank, Health Partners and Barefoot Wines, along with WPVI-TV/6ABC’s Anita Brikman as this year’s Mistress of Ceremonies, will be recognizing these nine women at an awards ceremony and dinner on Wednesday, May 16, 2007 at Hyatt Regency Philadelphia at 6:00pm.
2007 AWARD RECIPIENTS
Jane Addams Award - Councilwoman At-Large Blondell Reynolds Brown
“It is because of the Councilwoman’s advocacy on behalf of seniors, families and children in need that Lutheran Settlement House is delighted to honor her as the 2007 recipient of the Jane Addams Award,” says Beatriz Vieira, Executive Director, LSH.
Spirit Award - Nora Dowd Eisenhower, Secretary of Aging, Pennsylvania
The Spirit Award recognizes a woman who serves as an advocate for the needs of Senior Citizens in the community.
Inspiration Award - Minnie Moore Johnson, Executive Director, Concerned Parents, Inc.
The Inspiration Award recognizes a woman over 60 years of age who has demonstrated a clear contribution to the community, and serves as an inspiration to other senior women
Courage Award - Erica Santiago, Executive Secretary, School District of Philadelphia
The Courage Award recognizes a survivor of domestic violence who has helped victims and other survivors overcome the many challenges associated with domestic violence.
Purple Ribbon Award - Irene Lindsay Brantley, Program Director, Women in Transition
The Purple Ribbon Award recognizes a woman who has demonstrated a strong commitment to education and to raising awareness about domestic violence in our community.
Outstanding Returning Student Award - Gladys Gutierrez, Pathways
The Outstanding Returning Student Award recognizes a woman who has demonstrated initiative and tenacity by returning to school as an adult, and thereby serving as a role model to others.
Excellence in Adult Literacy Award - Lequyen Vu, Program Director, Indochinese American Council
The Excellence in Adult Literacy Award recognizes a woman who has heightened public awareness of adult literacy needs in Philadelphia and has encouraged innovative learning at home, or in work and community settings.
Dignity Award - Lorraine Hill, Volunteer, Drueding Center/Project Rainbow
The Dignity Award recognizes a formerly homeless woman who has overcome great obstacles in her life or at work.
Impact Award - Rev. Bonnie Camarda, Director of Church Partnerships and Program Development Specialist for the Greater Philadelphia area, Salvation Army
The Impact Award recognizes a woman who has demonstrated a strong commitment to ending homelessness, and who has worked on behalf of homeless individuals.
For ticket information or to inquire about advertising opportunities, please call Suzette Belz at 215-426-8610 x 208 or sbelz@lutheransettlement.org
