Appleton Even Start Family Literacy Program

The Appleton Even Start Family Literacy Program was chosen by the Community Service Committee to be one of the recipients of the proceeds of this year’s Rotary Shines event. With the loss of federal funding this past year, Even Start reached out to the community to help support this program. Therese Nemec, Associate Dean of General Studies at Fox Valley Technical College, showed us a video to explain the program, show us the classroom and give testimonials. Even Start has four main goals: to prepare children age’s birth to eight with the prerequisite education and literacy instruction to succeed in school, improve adult literacy, enhance parenting skills and foster quality interaction between adults and their children. Even Start offers four services: adult basic education including English language learning and GED/HSED preparation, early childhood and early elementary education, personal in-home visits and parent support and family activities. Even Start collaborates with several community agencies such as Fox Valley Technical College, Appleton Area School District, Headstart, Outagamie County Parent Resource Program, Appleton Public Library, U. W. Extension and Appleton Park and Recreation. Even Start has served the needs of more than 1200 families in the past 15 years in McKinley Elementary School. Andrea Nunez told how she has 2 children ages 9 and 16. Eleven years ago, she moved to Appleton from Columbia not knowing any English or how hard it was to start a life in a new country. A friend told her about Even Start. She not only learned English but life lessons such as raising kids, nutrition and the importance of reading to her kids. Since Andrea and her husband finished the program, they started a cleaning business and Andrea registered for the Early Childhood Education program at Fox Valley Technical College. Maria Bedolla told us how Even Start helped her reach her goals. Her teachers made her feel like she could do anything. Maria’s husband sacrificed a lot so that she could go to school and her children helped with her school work. Maria finished the program 3 ½ years ago and the sacrifices were well worth it. She is proud of what she has accomplished and knows that if you do something you have to do it with all your heart. Kris Clothier, teacher at Even Start, talked about how returning to school is not easy for adults. Some bad choices may have been made or English not spoken. Even Start also takes the time to help them learn about organizations in the community that can help them. Children are proud to get their first library card at the Appleton Public Library. Each summer, Appleton Park and Recreation has served over 100 children that would not have been about to get swimming lessons. Literacy is a road to freedom – it opens up doors.