LITERACY SUPPORT FOR CHILDREN

Foundation for Greater Opportunities in Learning or FFGOIL Non-Profit for Children in At-Risk Circumstances in
the Los Angeles Area. http://www.4greaterlearning.org

Member:  Sharliebel.wordpress.com

~ Members of  the Foundation for Greater Opportunities in Learning (FFGOIL) ~  think you might wish to know that in Los Angeles County alone there are over 25,000 children in the foster care system. A mentor/tutor relationship provides the support needed. Learn how the Foundation for Greater Opportunities in Learning, a non-profit group developed the Literacy Project at Edelman’s Children’s Court that provides many literacy related activities while children wait for their court appearance. Read the Board of Directors list of educators who head this team of expert advisors. Volunteers and donors are sought to support children from disadvantaged homes.

THE STORY

Through the completion of her Doctorate from the University of Southern California, Rossier School of Education in 2007, Dr. Foulk contracted with the County of Los Angeles, Department of Children and Family Services to develop and implement a Literacy Project for the Edelman Children’s Court, Shelter Care Unit. Funding for the project was provided by the County of Los Angeles Department of Children and Family Services- Civic Partnership, a Reading is Fundamental Grant, and the Shakespeare League in Pasadena. When the project was suspended due to lack of funding, Foulk re-initiated the project on a volunteer basis. This Project also led to her recent initiation of a research-based Mentor/Tutor Project for youth in the foster care system.

Under Dr. Foulk’s leadership over the past nine years, a growing team of professional leaders and volunteers has developed, which enables progress toward FFGOIL’s vision and goals. FFGOIL continues to focus on addressing the learning needs of youth and families in at-risk circumstances, while addressing their social-emotional needs as well. Toward this aim, key areas of focus this past year were to: 1) Resume Literacy Project services for children in foster care while at Edelman Children’s Court; 2) Continue development of a research-based Mentor/Tutor project for youth in foster care; and 3) Continue identifying and forming collaborative partnerships with other organizations, forming an alliance on behalf of the children.

The Foundation for Greater Opportunities in Learning (FFGOIL) invites you to visit the activities page to learn how you can help. Your involvement and support make all the difference!

A Book of (LOVE) POEMS by Charlotte Fawls [Liebel]

A BOOK OF POEMS - DEDICATED TO THE DREAM OF LOVE    http://www.bankofbooks.com

By Charlotte-Marie Fawls [Pen]  (Sharlet Liebel)

31 Romantic Memories with Table of Contents

Written by an impressionable, young woman in her search for love.

Questioning her feelings, she gives rhyme to verse
and captures moments of nostalgia and regret.
However, she is always hopeful that
her Prince Charming will one day
come along.

Holidays are spent alone:
Valentine’s Day, Christmas, New Year’s Day.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ +

~~~~ And yet, a story must insistently begin…
~~~~~~~Alas, a story must persistently end.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ +++++

~~~Do I with venom and jealousy
~~~~~Prepare to bind a book of prose
~~~~~~~That held but love and dignity within each line?

~~~But yet—and so I jest—for how can I
~~~~~Believe I’d crush the growth of love
~~~~~~~When rapture flows to help me seek the one
~~~~~~~~~I cannot find.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ +++++

Charlotte was a member of the National Society and International Library of Poetry in the years 1995-1997, and received Editor’s Awards in 1995, 1996, 1997, and 2004. She wrote her collection of poetry in the years 1950-1960 and, finally, had them published and copyrighted in 1979. Because she enjoyed the ocean so much, she designed the cover that was illustrated by her publisher Exposition Press.

As with most creative artists, poetry tells the story of love as viewed in the shadows of our minds. “My thoughts sought love in many places and that was to become my poetic journey,” says Charlotte. “Fulfillment did not happen until I had written this book. Therefore, start your poetic journey soon.”

A BOOK OF (LOVE) POEMS by Charlotte-Marie Fawls

Abednego Book Shoppe – email: abednegobooks@earthlink.net

Bank of Books – email: bankofbooks@earthlink.net

http://www.bankofbooks.com

Special attributes:
BOOKS: Antiquarian/Collectible Item
1st Edition
Printing Year: 1979

= GLOSSY SOFT-COVER =

BOOK REVIEW: BRIDIE’S DAUGHTER By Robert Noonan

Reviewer Sharlet Liebel © 2009

The suspenseful and entertaining Bridie’s Daughter is Robert Noonan’s second book in the series, the Orphan Train Trilogy. Readers will recognize characters introduced in his first book called Wildflowers who create mysterious connections to new events with intriguing new adults and children. Their past circumstances return to haunt readers as they recognize signals of previous dangerous encounters. However, even without such knowledge, the author prepares an explanation with background. This book is explosive.

Noonan’s stories are reminiscent of American Literature by John Steinbeck The Grapes of Wrath – 1939, Irving Stone The Agony and the Ecstasy: A Novel of Michelangelo – 1961, and Edith Wharton The House of Mirth – 2002. The Orphan Train Trilogy was inspired by an amazing saga of 200,000 orphaned American children during the years 1854 to 1929. Robert Noonan’s historical novels touch a mere portion of these lives.

Children of all ages awaken with anticipation in the early hours as the day arrives when they will board the Orphan Train. The orphans hope the journey from New York City to Western states leads to their adoption.

At six-thirty on June 8, 1899, following breakfast, the boys and girls dress and pack their meager belongings at the dormitory. They are well mannered and supportive of one another. A young girl worries lest she not find loving parents while a child of ten comforts and reassures the three year old. There are few teenagers but Catherine Hayes and Brian Hampton are among the 20 boys and 17 girls from the orphanage.

During the train ride, Brian and Catherine become friends with Monica and Jason. Brian and Jason have each lived on the streets of New York and discuss details of their personal survival there. Catherine and Monica share their attraction toward the young boys and other personal data. Early on, readers champion the hopes of these beloved children.

Adoptive parents, too, have agendas for needing or wanting children in their households. Tender hearted parents of their small town where Catherine and Brian are adopted form family alliances. The losses of a child’s parents are features of their adaptations to adoptive parents throughout the unfolding stories that play heavily on people’s hearts in these tales. They tenderize even the most resolute reader.

Significant historical American Indian lore adds charm and links to future relational incidents because of a visit to the County Fair. One child chances to meet with a former friend at The Fair and the result is that several children become friends. Friendships and travel become the new adventure of their lives as bonds deepen. Children and adoptive parents become increasingly attached and share chaperon functions as train travel increases from one or another town.

Secrets of the past, child and adult courtships, involved confidences, and provocative encounters due to secret communications, all tend to complicate lives. Chaotic conflicts are artfully weaved by storyteller Robert Noonan so as to cause anxiety to his captive audiences.

THINK-AND-PHILO

PHILOSOPHY ~ Letter to a friend

By Sharlet Liebel ©2008

I think it’s inspiring that you question and search for meaning as I do! Perhaps we’re a special breed ~ LOL!   Let me say that I’ll be driving along on the freeway with my daughter questioning the Edison windmills and how they connect to our power plants and she’ll be amazed that I can think of so much to think about!

As children we had an enormous curiosity and then we became educated with information that was developed for our good. There are teachers that want us to learn from them and there are teachers that merely want an audience and they talk “at” us!

Philosophy interested me very early in my childhood. I have to think it may go back to the days when my dad insisted that I read the Children’s page and, for the life of me, I didn’t understand a word of it.  Then he insisted that God was for people who needed a crutch and that contradicted all my beliefs and those of everyone I knew.

I was lucky to take my only Philosophy class from a professor who wished to share his knowledge and who had written the text we studied. He had humility and knowledge… what a great combination!  Still, I struggled through the entire class never really sure I would pass the course.

For the most part, the class was a class of inquiry and for every question one of us made the instructor asked another student to comment on the comment!

When I read the writings of the Great Philosophers and even the Minor Philosophers, I try to get in their heads. Think of the times they lived in. Experience the teachers they had. Reflect on the politics as they knew it.

Then I read the commentaries written about them by scholars of their day, and others that followed, which most of this is contained in one volume in most libraries.

My guess is that most of us can skip formal classes and jump right in and enjoy several journals on our own.

These are my suggestions for you, in earnest. And, if you venture to take another Philosophy 101, check out the personality you’re dealing with and move to another class if more compatible.

One more thing, you are totally in control of the mysteries that intrigue you. You are human so you then have reason, right? As for soul and spirit ~ these are innate and who is better equipped to search these miraculous answers about yourself than you are!

God’s blessings ~

ABOUT KIDS’ LITERACY

FUNDS & BOOKS TO KIDS

As a Graduate, Master’s Degree in Education, Educational Psychology and Counseling, and CSUN Alumni, I am interested in finding funds for literacy projects that help others learn.

The Foundation for Greater Opportunities in Learning (FFGOIL), of which I am a member, helps children in at-risk circumstances. Some are victims of family dysfunction, others are in foster homes. Donations are always welcomed.

The Foundation needs books donated in support of literacy. TOYS are needed for the ANNUAL SANTA’S CHRISTMAS BREAKFAST PARTY with singing and entertainment.  DONORS are encouraged to visit and inquire at website: http://www.4greaterlearning.org

My current attempt to engage readers can be found at:   Sharliebel’s Blog aka http://sharliebel.wordpress.com. I write book reviews, poetry, stories, and articles. Some books I’ve reviewed are by people I’ve met. I like to help promote these books as it is my desire to encourage readers and writers of language arts.