Programs

The Agenda for Children has a deep commitment to engaging the community in its initiatives. To expand outreach into linguistically and culturally diverse neighborhoods, the Literacy Initiative recruited individual attending adult basic education classes and trained them in the Let's Talk . . . it makes a difference! and reading party curriculum. All of these adults are multilingual: They speak English as well as the languages of their native countries. Once trained, the "literacy ambassadors" facilitate workshops in their home languages at the adult basic education center in Cambridge. In 2004, literacy ambassadors gave 44 presentations to 280 peers. As a result of Literacy Ambassador workshops, more parents feel empowered to help their children develop good oral language skills by simply talking to their children. Families also understand the importance of reading to their children, and that books are a tool to spark conversations. Non-English-speaking parents become comfortable using wordless books when books are not available in their home languages. Veteran ambassadors become leaders. They assist in planning workshop curriculum and training new recruits. Many are also involved in organizing literacy events through their churches and community-based organizations. The ambassadors also help the Agenda for Children publicize its messages at citywide fairs. The Literacy Ambassador Program was developed by the Agenda for Children Literacy Initiative, in collaboration with the Community Learning Center, an adult basic education agency in Cambridge.