Literacy Link of Northwest Florida
Literacy Link is a coalition created by WSRE, PBS for the Gulf Coast, to connect community members in Northwest Florida with local literacy organizations. Please submit your organization to be a part of the directory to help strengthen literacy in Northwest Florida.
Raising Readers
WSRE is proud to be one of 20 PBS stations in the United States selected to host the PBS KIDS Raising Readers initiative. The PBS KIDS Raising Readers initiative uses research-based, innovative television programs and related multi-media content to help meet the critical literacy needs of children ages 2-8, from low income families.
A unique 360 degree approach to learning surrounds families, caregivers, teachers and parents with ready-to-use literacy resources and supports at home, in school and in the community. The initiative harnesses the power of the media to enhance early literacy skills using content from PBS KIDS shows as a springboard for quality learning.
Integrated resources include:
PBS KIDS Television Programs - Sesame Street, Between the Lions, Super WHY!, WordWorld, Martha Speaks, The Electric Company and WordWorld
Online professional development courses for childcare providers
PBS KIDS Island - A stimulating, interactive reading web site for kids, parents, teachers, caregivers
PBS KIDS Raising Readers Library Corners
Super WHY! Summer reading camps
Martha Speaks Reading Buddies Program
WSRE Literacy Link, a coalition designed to bring community literacy organizations together
Community outreach activities and events
The national project is funded by U.S. Department of Education's Ready To Learn grant with support from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, PBS, and the Ready to Learn Partnership.
For more information: http://pbskids.org/read/about/ or wsre.org/RaisingReaders.
Organization Directory ( A - Z )
| Organization Name: | Adult and Community Education |
| Address: | 129 N. Merritt Street |
| City: | Pensacola |
| State: | Florida |
| Zip Code: | 32507 |
| Contact Name: | Lydia Henderson |
| Contact Title: | Literacy Coordinator |
| Phone Number: | 850.453.7462 |
| Email: | lhenderson@escambia.k12.fl.us |
| Website: | http://career.escambia.k12.fl.us/JudyAndrews |
| Mission/Vision: | Adult Education |
| Populations Served: | Adults and Families |
| Signature Programs and Events (please include dates): | Adult Basic Education Ged Prep Adult High School Diploma ESOL Family Literacy Career Express Bus Reading Fairs TABE Testing Florida Ready to Work |
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| Organization Name: | Early Learning Coalition of Escambia County |
| Address: | 3636 D North L Street Suite A |
| City: | Pensacola |
| State: | FL |
| Zip Code: | 32505 |
| Contact Name: | Vicki Pugh |
| Contact Title: | Professional Development Coordinator |
| Phone Number: | 850.595.5401 |
| Email: | vpugh@elcescambia.org |
| Website: | www.elcescambia.org |
| Mission/Vision: | Every Child Will Enter School Ready to Learn |
| Populations Served: | Children in Escambia County Birth - 8 |
| Signature Programs and Events (please include dates): | School Readiness Voluntary PreK (VPK) Imagination Library ChildCare Resource & Referral |
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| Organization Name: | Friends of the Southwest Branch Library Foundation, Inc. |
| Address: | 12248 Gulf Beach Hwy |
| City: | Pensacola |
| State: | FL |
| Zip Code: | 32507 |
| Contact Name: | Cathy Ingram |
| Contact Title: | President |
| Phone Number: | 850.453.7780 |
| Email: | cathy99@cox.net |
| Website: | www.cityofpensacola.com/library/friends.asp |
| Mission/Vision: | Support the Southwest Branch Library through fund raising and volunteerism, thus contributing to increasing the level of literacy in the southwest portion of Escamiba County |
| Populations Served: | Southwest portion of Escambia County all ages |
| Signature Programs and Events (please include dates): | READ to Dogs - Fourth Saturday, Monthly American Girl Book Club - Second Saturday, Monthy Annual Art/Poetry Contest - April Summer Reading Program at Big Lagoon State Park (part of West Florida Public System) - Wednesdays at 1PM, June & July Friends Quarterly Meetings - Second Mondays in January, April, July, October - October 12 guest Karl R. Studenroth, Jr. founder of NWFL Environmental Conservancy Buy-A-Brick Fundraiser-ongoing |
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| Organization Name: | Learn To Read of NW Florida INC. |
| Address: | 3300 North Pace Blvd Suite 324 |
| City: | Pensacola |
| State: | Florida |
| Zip Code: | 32505 |
| Contact Name: | Susan Brak |
| Contact Title: | Program Director |
| Phone Number: | 850.432.4347 |
| Email: | ltrfl@bellsouth.net |
| Website: | www.learntoreadnwf.org |
| Mission/Vision: | One on one tutor instruction for adults with limited literacy skills |
| Populations Served: | Basic Literacy/ESL |
| Signature Programs and Events (please include dates): | Tutor training workshop, April 23 & 30 Chalk It Up! Sidewalk Art Festival, May 7& 8 |
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| Organization Name: | United Way of Escambia Financial Stability Coalition |
| Address: | 1301 W. Government St. |
| City: | Pensacola |
| State: | Florida |
| Zip Code: | 32502 |
| Contact Name: | Susan Senkarik Marsha Williams |
| Contact Title: | Director of Community Impact |
| Phone Number: | 850.444.7124 |
| Email: | susan@unitedwayescambia.org marsha@unitedwayescambia.org |
| Website: | www.escambiafinancialstability.com |
| Mission/Vision: | To help area residents improve their financial condition and shape their financial future |
| Populations Served: | Open to all residents |
| Signature Programs and Events (please include dates): | Free Income Tax Preparation (VITA)for low-moderate income families: January - April Results for tax year 2008- volunteers prepared 1200 tax returns with and impact of $1.4 million in tax refunds and tax preparer savings Real Money Basics Workshops- total of six hours, nuts and bolts of basic personal financial literacy- topics include goal setting, budget, how to identify wants vs needs, banking relationships, credit and credit repair and low cost nutritious cooking. Free. Generally two classes per week, seating is limited, and reservations are required. |
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| Organization Name: | Reading Is Fundamental of Pensacola |
| Address: | 30 E. Texar Drive |
| City: | Pensacola |
| State: | Florida |
| Zip Code: | 32503 |
| Contact Name: | Elaine Weaver Sites |
| Contact Title: | Chairperson |
| Phone Number: | 850.456.1393 |
| Email: | easites@aol.com |
| Website: | |
| Mission/Vision: | Service/Goals: To provide children with access to a variety of high quality books for ownership at no cost to them; To help children develop literary tastes and learn from their book choices; To link books and reading with fun, literacy-related activities designed to actively engage children; To motivate children to read and improve their attitudes towards reading |
| Populations Served: | About 2000 students of schools qualifying for 50% free/reduced lunches |
| Signature Programs and Events (please include dates): | 2009-10 schools and distribution dates: Scenic Heights El. 9/16, 11/19, 1/14 Myrtle Grove El. 9/18, 11/18, 1/15 McArthur El. 9/24, 11/20, 1/28 Hallmark El. 9/29, 11/9, 1/25 |
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| Organization Name: | West Florida Public Library |
| Address: | 200 W. Gregory St. |
| City: | Pensacola |
| State: | Florida |
| Zip Code: | 32502 |
| Contact Name: | Rachel Wallace |
| Contact Title: | Children's Coordinator |
| Phone Number: | (850) 436-5060 |
| Email: | rwallace@ci.pensacola.fl.us |
| Website: | www.cityofpensacola.com/library |
| Mission/Vision: | Providing library services to children and adults of Escambia County |
| Populations Served: | Citizens of Escambia County |
| Signature Programs and Events (please include dates): | Children's Services of West Florida Public Library provides reading and listening materials to the citizens of Escambia County along with fun and educational programs for children of all ages. All programs are free. |
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| Organization Name: | WSRE |
| Address: | 1000 College Blvd |
| City: | Pensacola |
| State: | Florida |
| Zip Code: | 32504 |
| Contact Name: | Jill Hubbs |
| Contact Title: | Director, Education, Outreach & Content |
| Phone Number: | 850.484.1200 |
| Email: | jhubbs@wsre.org |
| Website: | www.wsre.org |
| Mission/Vision: | Vision: WSRE will positively influence the daily lives of all on the Gulf Coast through broadcast programming and educational outreach services that encourage us to engage more deeply in the world around us. Mission: The mission of WSRE is to open doors to a larger world with quality programming and educational outreach services for every person on the Gulf Coast who desires to be more educated, informed and entertained. WSRE helps people make informed decisions with a better understanding of the community and world in which they live. WSRE brings forth culture and ideas that enhance the quality of life and promote the joy of discovery and learning. |
| Populations Served: | Lifelong learners of all ages in the Gulf Coast area. |
| Signature Programs and Events (please include dates): | Various events throughout the year, please continue to check wsre.org for details. |
