From 2002 until 2008, Mom was an administrator for AmeriCorps in Alachua County, Florida. She managed this huge government program that worked to get books into the hands of underprivileged schoolchildren and create teams of young adults who’d work to help those children learn to read. She was tremendously proud of the work she did there and – although she was often forced to battle arcane red tape – she seemed to find the job very fulfilling. She was devastated when the program lost funding and she was laid off.
A couple of years after she started working there, the president of the company where I worked in LA was looking to make some charitable donations and I suggested AmeriCorps. He sent them some money and she wrote him the following letter of thanks, which I found folded into the pages of a book a decade after she died.
October 4, 2004
Mr. Steve Lazuka
President
Traffic Logic, Inc.
4086 Del Rey Avenue
Marina Del Rey, California 90272Dear Steve,
For the second time in less than a year, you have overwhelmed us with your generosity! Please accept my sincere thanks on behalf of AmeriCorps Alachua County READS!, our students, and the Alachua County School District.
Your gift of $5,000 makes it possible for us to provide needed supplies, support, and recognition for a very dedicated group of Members (tutors) and a very worthy group of students. In addition, we will be able to get new books into the hands of children who have none.
There is a critical need throughout much of the country to provide one-on-one intervention for children who are reading below their grade level. Some of these children are very bright but have had no introduction to reading prior to kindergarten. Others are dealing with challenges that many adults could not handle while still others are children with learning disabilities who need extra attention.
Working hand-in-hand with teachers and school staff, our dedicated Members make a difference, not only by helping these children to become better readers, but also by providing them with a caring, consistent, adult relationship. Members work hard during the time they have to help each child gain a sense of self worth. The end result us usually a loving and very effective interaction. AmeriCorps-tutored children often outperform children who have no learning problems.
Again, thank you for continuing to be our partner in helping children to succeed! Your gift will change lives.
Sincerely,
Kathleen A. Gagne
Program Directorcc: Dr. Donna Omer, Director of Project Development
School Board of Alachua CountyDr. Dan Boyd, Superintendent
School Board of Alachua County