Academy of Hope News

Lecester Johnson, 2011 Exponent Award Winner & AoH Executive Director

2012-04-18T23:10:00.000-04:00

Please enjoy this video made by the Eugene and Agnes Meyer Foundation recognizing Lecester Johnson, Academy of Hope Executive Director, as one of the 2011 Exponent Award recipients.

WAMU Features Two AoH Learners

2012-01-30T12:59:00.001-05:00

Academy of Hope is pleased to share WAMU's “American Graduate” series, which kicks off its first article featuring two Academy of Hope learners, Saundra Walker and Grace McMillan, mother and daughter respectively. In this article entitled “Breaking the Cycle when Dropping Out Runs in the Family”, Saundra and Grace discuss the struggles they faced in high school, why they dropped out and how different it could have been had they and their children finished high school. Today this mother and daughter duo are attending classes together at Academy of Hope, picking up where they had left off in high school and working towards their GED certificates. Hear their stories here and learn the top five reasons dropouts identify for leaving school. This article aired on Jan. 24^th, 2012 on WAMU 88.5, a local affiliate of NPR. "American Graduate: Let's Make It Happen" is a public media initiative made possible by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.

NACo employees raise over $11K in support of Academy of Hope

2012-01-27T11:00:00.001-05:00

NACo staff enjoying the 2011 Holiday Auction.

Corporate giving isn't just about writing checks; it can also be about having fun! Each December since the early 1990s, the staff of the National Association of Counties (NACo) has held a Holiday Auction to raise money for a D.C.-area charity. Employees nominate various charities, and staff votes to choose one. This year, they selected Academy of Hope as their beneficiary and raised $11,300!

“NACo employees show their generosity year after year at our Holiday Auction,” NACo Executive Director Larry E. Naake said. “This year’s total was among the highest we’ve ever raised, and we’re proud to be able to help an organization like the Academy of Hope, which is doing such important work in Washington, D.C.”

At the auction, employees bid on staff-donated items ranging from colleagues’ signature baked goods and libations to an autographed Jerry Rice football, homemade pierogies or a grab bag of memorabilia collected by employees during their business travel to the nation’s counties. A “live” auction on a Friday is preceded by a silent auction the previous day. The association also kicks in money raised yearlong on its Friday “Jeans Days,” when employees can pay one dollar for the privilege of wearing denim. Watch a video clip from the 2011 auction at http://youtu.be/GinH7oddsO4.

NACo is the only national organization representing county government. Driven by a strong membership, it represents 3,068 counties across America. To learn more about NACo, visit www.naco.org.

Academy of Hope is grateful for NACo and its staff for their generosity and incredible support!!

Meet Lecester Johnson, 2011 Exponent Award Recipient

2011-11-19T13:36:00.006-05:00

“I am humbled and grateful," says Lecester Johnson, Academy of Hope's Executive Director. "This award is not for me but for our students, staff and community...and I thank each and every person who has contributed to our AoH family throughout 27 years.”

Academy of Hope's Executive Director, Ms. Lecester Johnson, has been selected by The Meyer Foundation to receive one of three of this year’s prestigious Exponent Award. The award recognizes and celebrates the accomplishments of DC’s most talented, visionary, and effective nonprofit executives and comes with a two-year grant of $100,000. Since joining Academy of Hope in 2006, Lecester not only guided the organization through a very tough economic climate but also managed a sustained growth, expanding the budget as well as programs and services for adult learners. Lecester brings strategic vision and a deep understanding of education as well as compassion to the plight of individuals living in the District of Columbia who experience low-literacy or who are under-educated. “She is truly an inspired, dedicated and hard-working leader,” says Mr. Ryan Young, AoH Board Chair. “This is a testament to the impact of an exceptional leader and her dedication to the community.” We thank the entire AoH community and dedicate this award to all of you!

View the press release here.

The Exponent Award, established in 2006, celebrates awardees' success at increasing the impact of their organization's work, instituting sound management, and serving as collaborative community leaders. This year, only three nonprofit leaders are honored with the 2011 Exponent Award.

The Eugene & Agnes E. Meyer Foundation identifies and invests in visionary leaders and effective community-based nonprofit organizations that are working to create lasting improvements in the lives of low-income people in the Washington, DC metropolitan region, and works to strengthen the region's nonprofit sector as a vital and respected partner in meeting community needs.

For more information, click here or contact Adriana Kao at adriana@aohdc.org or 202-269-6623

Academy of Hope mentioned in McCartney's Washington Post column

2011-10-24T18:06:00.001-04:00

Washington Post columnist Robert McCartney suggests billionaire philanthropist could start with an investment in Academy of Hope to help bring long-term solution to DC poverty.

Robert McCartney, Washington Post columnist and radio/TV commentator, has been investigating and writing about how the billionaire Bill Conway can put $1 billion to help the area's poorest residents. Bill Conway is a local area businessman who is looking for a way to make a big, long-term impact and has asked the public for ideas on how to help the DC community.

The Washington Post columnist has been corresponding with Mr. Conway and has done some of his own research. Mr. McCartney spoke with Academy of Hope's Executive Director, Ms. Lecester Johnson, just recently after he received various positive comments about Academy of Hope and our work. Mr. McCartney writes in his Sunday column about his conclusion after weeks of research and interviews on how to start tackling the chronic problem of poverty that too many DC residents face.

He says, "The sorry fact...is that a sizable number of people in our region - at least 50,000 in the District - are so poorly educated that they're effectively unemployable." Find out what he suggests and how Academy of Hope fits into that long-term solution plan.

"Here's my idea for philanthropist to help poor find jobs"
by Robert McCartney (Published in The Washington Post on October 22, 2011)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/robert-mccartney-heres-my-idea-for-philanthropist-to-help-poor-find-jobs/2011/10/21/gIQAnO886L_story.html

Thank you Mr. McCartney for your thoughtful comments!

Interested in helping? Volunteer at Academy of Hope as a teacher or tutor, or donate to support our work!

Volunteer at Academy of Hope

2011-08-24T18:05:00.001-04:00

One of our returning volunteers, Max reviews student assignments during his class.

Academy of Hope's mission is to provide high quality adult basic education in a manner that changes lives and improves our community. We cannot accomplish our goals without our dedicated volunteers. Here is how you too can change lives in your community.

Come and be a volunteer teacher or tutor at the Academy of Hope. Teach adults the skills they need to get their high school credential- either with a small class or one-on-one. To get started, commit to teaching 2 hours a week for a 12 week term. Teachers of basic writing and math are needed. Academy of Hope is holding a training session for new volunteer teachers and tutors on Saturday, August 27, from 9 am to 1 pm.

Please call (202) 269-6623 or e-mail volunteer@aohdc.org for more information. Check the website for more information on The Hope.

Open House at Academy of Hope, Aug. 18th 5:30p

2011-08-09T09:33:00.003-04:00

Thursday August 18th 5:30pm, Academy of Hope welcomes you to our Open House. Come speak with students, volunteers and staff and find out how you can be a part of "the Hope". For additional information contact our staff--202.269.6623 or volunteer@aohdc.org

Meet Charles Mcpherson, AoH Student

2011-08-02T09:15:00.002-04:00

Starting a New Chapter

Charles Mcpherson is an affable, soft-spoken, eloquent man who has spent many of his 47 years struggling against violence, abuse, alcohol and cocaine. Today he is winning his struggle on all fronts, and is working toward a better future.

Charles spent his early years in Northeast DC with his parents and six siblings. Though his father was in and out of jail, his mother “made sure that we stayed in school and did our homework”. She provided discipline, volunteered in his classroom, and bought books and an encyclopedia for her children. In junior high school Charles was a member of the football and swim teams. He also enjoyed neighborhood recreation center activities and participated in community clean-ups. But despite his mother’s best efforts, “she couldn’t protect us from everything”. Threats came from the violence both within his family and from the streets. In this environment, Charles learned early how to fight in order to survive.

In March 2011, Charles came to AoH for a computer class. When he realized he could also study for his GED, he said, “Let me sign up right away!” Since starting at AoH he has learned a lot and has worked especially hard on math. He says that his teacher “really knows her stuff” and he is committed to doing the work and passing his GED. His commitment to the program is demonstrated by the fact that he commutes by bus three-and-a half hours a day, and that he won the AoH Perfect Attendance Award earlier this year.

Today Charles is trying to be an example to his son, now a high school student, and trying to “guide him in the right direction”. He is also the proud grandfather of ten grandchildren.

As he has grown older, Charles now sees that “life has a lot more to offer”. He does not want to continue to struggle and very much wants to do better. Professionally, his goal is to become a social worker, supporting people living with HIV and helping others to protect themselves from infection. “It’s like I’m starting a new chapter. I see progress in my life, and joy, laughter and trust. I’ve come a long way, and never thought that I’d be thinking about a future.” And yet, at age 47, he says, “I have one.”

Summer’s Sizzling in Ward 8

2011-07-25T09:47:00.001-04:00

A picture of the area before the renovation.

The lazy days of summer haven’t put a stop to Academy of Hope’s burgeoning programs in Ward 8. To the contrary, new students, new classrooms, and new curriculum have combined to fuel the growth of both the ABE-GED and computer classes as AoH enters its second year of operations in Ward 8.

The biggest change in Ward 8 this summer is the opening of two much-anticipated new classrooms at the main site in the Overlook Apartments at Wheeler and Valley Streets, S.E. Classes started in the new classrooms with the beginning of the summer session. The build-out of the classrooms was completed at a greatly-reduced cost in partnership with Yachad, the Jewish Housing and Community Development Corporation of Greater Washington, a non-profit organization that works with partners throughout the Washington area to revitalize neighborhoods and renovate the homes of lower-income residents. The new space includes a mural celebrating the expansion of Academy of Hope to Ward 8, donated by muralist Julie Dickerson. The new classrooms provide the opportunity to double the number of classes currently offered, increasing our ability to offer classes at multiple levels. And with classes no longer held in the original AoH space, that area serves as a new student lounge and tutoring center.

Summer has also brought to Ward 8 almost 20 new ABE-GED students who, in addition to their regular classes, have been enjoying a new social studies curriculum that will include three field trips centered on the Civil War to Civil Rights Downtown DC Heritage Trail. Students have already enjoyed a visit to and tour of the National Building Museum and are looking forward to trips to Ford’s Theatre and Museum and the National Portrait Gallery.

Computer class offerings in Ward 8 have been enriched this summer, too, with the addition of an IC3 class Monday through Thursday mornings at the Overlook. Students successfully completing this advanced computer class will earn a certificate that will enhance their employment opportunities. We’re excited that the class includes two students who started in AoH’s Ward 8 beginning computer class earlier this year.

As always, the focus of all this activity is student growth, and many Ward 8 students are closer to meeting their educational goals. Five students have passed the practice GED test and are expected to take the GED in the next few months. Under the leadership of Alyssa Ballentine, our Ward 8 The Workplace D.C. instructor, three additional students have made significant grade level gains in both reading and math. So, while “hazy, hot and humid” is the forecast for Washington, Ward 8’s forecast remains all A’s: advancement, achievement and attainment. “The final ‘A’ is amazed,” says Ward 8 program coordinator Daquanna Harrison. “I am simply amazed at the commitment of my staff. From the creation of a new curriculum, to the grade level gains, to running three different levels of computers in one session, my staff has truly put their all into making Ward 8 great. Thank you all so much.”

Ward 8 utilizing their new space.

AoH Anacostia Community Service Event

2011-07-14T20:32:00.000-04:00

AoH volunteers struggling with a tire found in the area.

Academy of Hope encourages all of our adult learners to become active members in their community. This is one of the first goals many learners set when joining the Academy of Hope community. On July 1st AoH students, volunteers and staff members volunteered with the Anacostia Watershed Society to assist with the maintenance, preservation, and conservation of the Anacostia River area. The students in attendance greatly enjoyed this experience and now want to participate in additional community efforts.

Florence finds some interesting trash.

AoH Student Leadership Representative, Florence Akurut said "I felt so happy because I had achieved my goal of keeping and saving the environment of Anacostia and the surrounding areas of the river." Florence is a very active Academy of Hope learner and has taken her position as one of our Student Leadership Representatives very seriously by leading school fundraisers for organizations such as the The Family Place. After her experience in Anacostia Florence is now searching for some to assist her with the monetary funds necessary to become a member of the Anacostia Watershed Society.

Kaye stays busy ensuring all is clean.

Academy of Hope Ward 5 learner, Kaye Fraser also attended the trip to Anacostia and when asked why she thought it was important to keep our parks clean she said "it helps the environment, the air will be better to breath and children can have somewhere clean to play." Kaye is a very dedicated individual and after working overnight at a local hospital she still makes it to class on time every morning.

Community service presents an opportunity for AoH learners to get involved in their community and make a real difference. Feeling like you are a part of your community is very important and many of our learners had never traveled across the Anacostia River to Ward 8 prior to joining the AoH community.

We hope to continue increasing enrichment activities and opportunities for all of our adult learners.

Opportunities Fair this Thursday

2011-06-20T14:54:00.000-04:00

Join DC LEARNs, Academy of Hope and other organizations from the DC area for the 2nd Annual Opportunities Fair at Watha T. Daniel-Shaw Neighborhood Library from 12-4p, on Thursday June 23, 2011. This is a great opportunity for DC residents to find out additional information about free or low cost job training, college preparation, technology as well as the internet and personal development.

Academy of Hope recognizes the great importance in all of these areas and how this Opportunities Fair can impact DC residents. We will be setting up our own booth to inform the community of the Adult Education resources and services Academy of Hope provides to empower the most marginalized in Washington, DC. Academy of Hope instructors will be available to answer questions and distribute information. We will also be transporting some our adult learners to the Shaw Library so they can learn more about additional services and programs offered throughout the District.

This is a great opportunity for residents of the community to become more aware of both professional and educational opportunities while communing with others at the same time. If interested in attending or if you know someone that this information would be beneficial to then stop by between 12-4p on Thursday, Shaw Neighborhood Library, Lower Level Meeting Rooms. The address is 1630 7th Street NW (near the Shaw/Howard Metro Station). For additional information on the contact Ben Merrion at (202) 727-2431 or email bengamin.merrion@dc.gov

The 16th Annual Ball and Bee

2011-06-17T15:57:00.000-04:00

Academy of Hope hosted its annual Ball and Bee on June 3, 2011, celebrating 26 years of successfully transforming the lives of Washington, DC, adult learners. We would like to send a special thank you to everyone who helped make the 2011 Ball & Bee a spectacular event. This event would not have been possible without our board members sponsors, students, distinguished guests, volunteers and staff.

The 2011 Ball and Bee, held at the Katzen Arts Center at American University, was a great success. We celebrated Academy of Hope’s mission to provide high quality adult basic education in a manner that changes lives and strengthens our community. Two learners, Kenneth Tolliver and Valerie Moore, took the stage at the program to share their stories and illustrate how their lives have been impacted by our educational services. With such a wonderful night we have already begun the planning for the 2012 Ball and Bee.

Below is a list of the 2011 Ball and Bee sponsored teams and the winning teams. Visit our Ball and Bee website for our complete list of sponsors, all of the Ball and Bee photos, and information on how you can be involved and support the next Ball and Bee.

Winning teams:

1st Place- Navigant
2nd Place- Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP

3rd Place-American Institutes For Research

Sponsor Teams:

Academy of Hope receives 2011 Social Action Award

2011-06-08T08:29:00.000-04:00

Academy of Hope is honored to be a recipient of the 2011 Temple Sinai Social Action Service Award. Our Executive Director, Lecester Johnson accepted the award at a special Social Action Shabbat on May 20, 2011. Lecester was accompanied by Bobbie Neuman, long-time Academy of Hope volunteer and member of Temple Sinai congregation.

Temple Sinai is a center for individuals within the D.C. community, which provides opportunities for members to participate in worship, programs, and services for all ages, as well as a religious education program. The Temple Sinai Social Action/Critical Issues Committee sought nominations for the 13th annual Temple Sinai Social Action Service Award. This prestigious award recognizes a community-based nonprofit meeting local social service needs within the community. Temple Sinai wanted to reward small organizations that do tremendous work with limited resources and would benefit from a continuing relationship with the Temple Sinai community.

Academy of Hope was nominated by Marci Levin and Bobbie Neuman for our commitment and dedication to bringing high quality educational and job support for adults from diverse backgrounds throughout the Washington D.C. area. In the nomination, Marci cited some of our many accomplishments including; 37 learners who earned high school credentials, 15 learners who placed in postsecondary education and 182 learners that increased their reading and/or math skills by a grade level or more all in one academic year. By bringing quality adult education, vocational training, and career counseling to the community, Academy of Hope is providing services to those individuals who are having trouble finding jobs and may not be able to provide financially for their families.

Temple Sinai recognizes us for all of our commitment and many accomplishments and we thank them for supporting Academy of Hope, our learners and the D.C. community.

Join AoH for an Open House April 7th

2011-03-25T15:18:00.000-04:00

On Thursday, April 7th Academy of Hope will host an open house at our main campus.

This event is an opportunity for anyone interested in volunteering, supporting, or learning more about the Academy of Hope community and adult education in Washington, DC. All are invited to attend!

There will be a short program at 6:30pm featuring a student speaker. You will also have the opportunity to meet staff and volunteers, to tour our site and enjoy light refreshments.

Time:
Thursday, April 7th
5:30 – 8:00pm

Location:
601 Edgewood St NE. Suite 25

Academy of Hope
Washington, DC 20017

*Accessible from the Rhode Island Metro Station, and the G8 and D8 buses. Car and bicycle parking is available on-site. Directions are available from our website: www.aohdc.org.

Please RSVP by e-mail to volunteer@aohdc.org or call (202) 269-6623

Pathways Program in This Month's "East of the River" Magazine

2011-02-10T11:55:00.000-05:00

"AoH’s Pathways Prepares Adult Learners For Success" is the headline of an article in the February edition of East of the River Magazine. You can pick up a copy for yourself at any of these locations, or read it online here.

The article is a good overview of what's happening in Pathways program and why it's so important. It's a timely read too, as author Steve Lilienthal notes:

Recently, there has been a great deal of focus in Congress and the higher education community on for-proﬁt institutions accepting poorly prepared students. It’s not a minor issue. The danger for many GED recipients with marginal academic skills is that their ﬁnancial aid will be dissipated paying for remedial courses that must be taken to improve skills, but do not count as credit for their degrees. Pathways can help to prevent students from suﬀering such shocks.

If you haven't already, be sure to also check out this article in The Washington Informer, which quotes AoH student Ernestine McSwain.

Returned PC Volunteers Choose AoH for Charity of The Year

2011-02-08T09:43:00.000-05:00

Academy of Hope has been selected by the Returned Peace Corps Volunteers of Washington, DC (RPCV/w) as their 2011 Charity of the Year. AoH was chosen among a group of three finalist for the organization’s Partnership for Peace, which is in its second year. Throughout the year RPCV/w members will support adult learners at AoH through volunteer service, fundraising events, and outreach. RPCV/w is planning a large service event during the Peace Corps 50th anniversary celebration in September 2011.

RPCV/w is kicking-off this year’s partnership on February 26th, with their Second Annual Peace Corps Open; a mini-golf tournament at DC’s H Street Country Club. Registration for would-be golfers (and their spectator friends) is now open to the general public.

Although the Academy of Hope has not had a formal relationship with RPCV/w in the past, there is a long history of RPCV involvement in the AoH community of learners. Two past Executive Directors served in the Peace Corps, as have several volunteer teachers, including DC LEARNs 2010 Outstanding Volunteer, Mike Ollinger. Patricia DeFerrari, a staff-member, served in Sri Lanka from 1983 to 1985 and joined the staff after volunteering as a science teacher. Students Marie Homan and Lancine Toure joined DeFerrari in presenting Academy of Hope's proposal to the RPCVw membership at a reception held at the Stewart Mott House in November.

Founded in 1979, The Returned Peace Corps Volunteers of Washington D.C. represents more than 2,500 returned Peace Corps volunteers, Peace Corps staff, and Peace Corps families and supporters in the greater Washington D.C. area.

Please join us in celebrating our graduates!

2011-01-06T15:21:00.000-05:00

Please join us in celebrating our graduates Thursday, January 27, 7:00PM.

The ceremony will be held at Crawford Hall, the top floor of 635 Edgewood Street, NE. Onsite parking is available and the building is walkable from the Rhode Island Ave Metro station. The D8 and the G8 buses stop at 6th and Edgewood.

Please feel free to give us a call at 202-269-6623 with any questions.

Fall 2010 Literacy Connection Available Now

2010-12-01T11:38:00.000-05:00

Academy of Hope's quarterly newsletter, The Literacy Connection, is available now online in PDF format.

In this issue...

AoH Gets Smart with Technology in the Classroom
Preparing for the GED and Beyond
Wave of New Programming Hits The Hope this Fall
Record Number "Pushed" to Graduate in 2010
New Faculty Reflect

Adult Basic Education Instructor Opening at Academy of Hope

2010-10-19T10:54:00.000-04:00

Academy of Hope currently has an opening for a part-time Adult Basic Education instructor. This instructor will teach Academy of Hope classes at the Department of Employment Services (DOES) Naylor Career Center in Southeast Washington, DC.

Qualifications:

Bachelors Degree in Education, Social Services or a related field.
Teaching certification is a plus.
Must have experience teaching and working with adult learners.

To apply for this position, send resumes to jobs@aohdc.org and use “DOES Instructor” as your subject line. Submit by COB this Thursday, October 21. Classes are scheduled to start November 1.

Position details are described below.

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

Adult Basic Education/GED Instructor (contractor)
Organization: Academy of Hope
Location: DOES Naylor Career Center, 2626 Naylor Road, Southeast Washington, DC

Academy of Hope is offering a new adult education program at The Department of Employment Services. This program is part of a collaborative partnership with The Workplace DC. We are currently recruiting a contractor Adult Basic Education Instructor to teach during the morning – afternoon hours. This position will be very independent with minimal supervision.

Adult Basic Education/GED Instructor Responsibilities:

Provide reading, writing, math, and social studies instruction to a class of 15-20 adults.
Develop lesson plans and course curricula that are responsive to the students’ needs and consistent with Academy of Hope’s programmatic standards.
Target individual academic needs based on both formal and informal assessments.
Set a positive example for students by providing strong classroom management, incentives for success, and correction as necessary.
Communicate with Program Coordinator, AOH lead staff members and collaborative members regarding students’ academic progress and desired program improvements.
Represent AOH during case management, staff and collaborative meetings.
Control, organize and update data including intake, testing and attendance.

Census Data Warn that Student Goals Must Reach Beyond the GED

2010-09-30T18:09:00.000-04:00

A new report from the DC Fiscal Policy Institute reveals the uneven impact that the recession has had on the district. DCFPI finds two trends that are particularly disturbing for our learners. They write:

One in four residents with a high school diploma lives in poverty. Among residents with a high school diploma or GED, poverty increased from 20 percent in 2007 to 25 percent in 2009. Changes in poverty for other residents at other education levels were not statistically significant.

And:

The new Census data show that incomes are likely to be falling for DC residents with a high school diploma or less. From 2007 to 2009, median earnings for adults with less than a high school diploma fell from $23,300 to $20,400. Those with a high school diploma or GED also saw a decline in earnings, from $29,000 in 2008 to $26,200 in 2009. Earnings remained virtually unchanged for those with some college or beyond.

These facts offer a grim outlook for learners hoping to better themselves financially after earning their GED. They highlight what has long been an understanding at Academy of Hope: that the GED is only the first step in an adult learner's pursuit of their goals.

In 2008, AoH began to offer the Pathways to Success program to help non-traditional students transition to college or workforce training. Since that time, AoH has worked towards the goal of becoming a place where students of any academic level can receive the support they need, up through entry into college or other training.

Many adult learners sense that the job climate is worsening and know that they need to set long term goals. For years, AoH students have been asked to identify a personal goal, outside of the GED, at the beginning of each term. More and more these goals have become specifically career-focused. At this Fall's orientation, one student said she hopes to eventually become a nurse, another wants to pursue an Associate's degree in the criminal justice field. College seems like a long way off for a student struggling to prepare for the GED, but step-by-step they make their way. Given the current economic climate, adult learners can't afford to think small.

Look for in-depth coverage of the ways Academy of Hope is working with learners beyond the GED in the upcoming Fall 2010 Newsletter.

Today is International Literacy Day

2010-09-08T13:28:00.000-04:00

Today, September 8th, is International Literacy Day, which was first proclaimed by UNESCO in 1965. The goal of this day is to highlight the importance of literacy to individuals, communities and societies.

The UN marks the day this year by noting that "Literacy is a cause for celebration since there are now close to four billion literate people in the world." We are also nearing the end of the UN's Literacy Decade, proclaimed for 2003-2012, with the ambitious goal of "education for all." With the close of Literacy Decade approaching, UNESCO informs us that today one in five adults is still not literate.

For those of us living in a "developed nation," this statistic may seem foreign, and far-removed from our daily life. However, Washington, D.C. closely mirrors the global adult illiteracy rate, with 19% of adults functioning at a below-basic reading level, according to a 2009 estimate (compared to an estimated 14% nationally).

Over at D.C. LEARNs' Literacy Blog, they are marking this September 8th by asking to hear what International Literacy Day mean to you. Those of you who have helped to support the work of Academy of Hope, and other adult education efforts, have (knowingly or unknowingly) had a role in Literacy Decade. We hope you will use this day to celebrate your efforts, and to let others know why "education for all" is important to you.

Ward 8 Students Share Stories at Defeat Poverty DC

2010-08-23T14:36:00.000-04:00

Two students from AoH's Ward 8 site recently shared their stories at Defeat Poverty DC, a coalition of organizations that working, "to bring greater focus during the 2010 election season and beyond to the damaging effects of poverty: [in Washington, D.C.]

Both choose to contribute short essays about their struggles with affordable housing and homelessness:

"During a very difficult time in my life, I applied for emergency housing. At that time I was a single mother of five." -V. Moore, Ward 8 Student (From Homless to a Home: My Story)

"The shelter system was set up with education, clothes and responsible guidelines. Employment training helped me to learn how to keep a job. The clothing provided to me helped me to know how to dress for an interview. " -N. Gee Miles, Ward 8 Student (Poverty Through My Eyes: Affordable Housing)

The Push for 40: Where are we now?

2010-07-22T13:39:00.000-04:00

Those of you following along know that Academy of Hope is pushing for 40 graduates this year. If you've been following us on Twitter or on the Push for 40 page, you may have noticed that we've been at 20 graduates for a while now. So what's been going on? Have we given up hope?

The answers to these questions are, "a lot," and "of course we haven't!"

AoH has been busy place: We were awarded a national accreditation; held graduation ceremony; celebrated 25 years at the Hope Ball and Bee; built a program in Ward 8; and celebrated the retirement of our co-founder Marja Hilfiker. (You can read about all of this in the upcoming Summer newsletter)

Ten students have graduated since our last update, with the total now reaching 30 graduates so far this year. We are also nearing the 400th graduate in Academy of Hope's history (398 so far!) 26 graduates were honored at our graduation ceremony in June.

More numbers:
Of the 30 graduates so far 15 are men and 15 are women. 15 students passed the GED test from our normal program; 9 passed the GED test from our Strive for Success intensive program; and 6 completed the requirements to receive a high school diploma through the External Diploma Program.

Of course, numbers aren't everything, so keep following the Push for 40 for more personal insights into our student's journeys to graduation.

Help AoH Get Comfy in Ward 8

2010-06-28T13:57:00.000-04:00

Big things are happening at our newest site in Ward 8! GED and computer classes began this May, based primarily in our space at The Overlook apartments. The expansion, announced December 2009, was made possible through major funding from the Alice and Eugene Ford Foundation.

Two months ago, students registered for classes in a bare room, with white walls and no furniture. In spite of it's drab first impression, Daquanna Harrison, Program Coordinator for Ward 8, was able to attract students to the site. Since that time, the space has transformed into a functioning classroom, complete with a mini-school store (a longstanding AoH tradition).

At a recent board meeting held in the space, Daquanna described her efforts to emulate Academy of Hope's success in a "one room schoolhouse":

I've tried to bring the best aspects of Academy of Hope here. From the time I spent getting oriented at the main site I could tell instantly that things like announcements, school store, field trips and personal reminders would be essential when building a learning community that works for students.

The following is a wishlist of items to help fill out the new space:

A set of 20 calculators for use on the practice GED
Sponsorship of our school store.
A mini-fridge, for school store items and staff/student use.
A highly operable desktop computer for our AmeriCorps intern to use in the Fall.
Medium sized (4x3) dry erase board for announcements and homework updates.
Smartpasses/bus tokens/metro passes to support our summer/fall museum/historic DC field trips.

(If you, or someone you know may be able to donate any of these items please contact Daquanna by emailing daquanna@aohdc.org)

Look for an update on Ward 8 in this Summer's newsletter.

Seeking Volunteers for Summer Term

2010-05-20T10:34:00.000-04:00

The Academy of Hope is currently recruiting new volunteers for both teaching and tutoring positions in the upcoming summer semester.

Volunteers teach and tutor students in basic education classes (reading, writing and math), preparation for the GED exam (reading, writing, math, social studies and science), and the External Diploma Program (an alternative program for adults to earn their actual high school diploma).

Classes are offered during the morning (9:00am-10:30am and 10:45am-12:15pm), afternoon (1:30pm-3:30pm and evening (6:30pm-8:30pm) Monday through Wednesday. Evening volunteers typically come one evening a week, and daytime volunteers come 1-2 days a week, depending on the class they are teaching.

AoH is located at 601 Edgewood Street NE, Washington DC, on the D8 and G8 bus lines and between Brookland/CUA and Rhode Island Avenue metro stations on the red line.

The first of a two-part training for new volunteers will occur on Saturday, June 5 from 9:00am to 1:00pm (refreshments will be provided). Please contact Elizabeth or Patricia at 202.269.6623 or e-mail volunteer@aohdc.org to reserve a space in our next volunteer training and for more information.