2016 Summary Statement How much did we do? LITERACY PROGRAMS - PDF document

2016 Summary Statement How much did we do? LITERACY PROGRAMS PUBLIC PROGRAMS Our literacy programs include Never T oo Early, A total of seven kinds of programs, including Connections, Humanities Camps, and Voices. Vermont Reads, First Wednesdays, and Speakers Bureau. 345 events in 127 different towns across Vermont The programs serve low-income parents, childcare providers, at-risk middle school students, teen parents, 19,857 Vermonters from a wide range of ages and adult basic education students, and men and women in backgrounds took part in these events. Correctional Facilities. We distributed 2,600 free books through these programs. 171 events (including 28 in correctional facilities) 1,404 individuals took part in these events. OTHER PROGRAMS FOR SPECIFIC AUDIENCES We distributed 8,936 free books through these programs. Veterans Book Groups: 49 veterans in four book groups attended 31 total sessions. BROADCAST OUTREACH Literature and Medicine: Humanities at the Heart Vermont Public Radio commentaries by of Health Care: 54 care providers at four hospitals. Executive Director Peter Gilbert reached 10,000 to 14,000 listeners every month. GRANTS Many of our 72 First Wednesdays talks are We distributed $40,000 to broadcast by public access television channels across Vermont. 21 Vermont non-profjt organizations. How well did we do it? In August, 2015, the Vermont Humanities Council received the report of a three-person National Endowment for the Humanities team that had examined us and our work earlier in the year. Such reviews are conducted every fjve years. The report concluded: “Whether one looks at public appeal, the fulfjlling of community needs, imaginative leadership, organizational effectiveness, or collaboration with other forces for humanity, the Vermont Humanities Council ranks among the best organizations in the nation, and the National Endowment for the Humanities can proudly point to it as exemplary of its national mission.” Is anyone better off because of our work? From a participant in our Humanities Camps (week-long summer day camps for at-risk middle school students): “Humanities Camp helped me see myself differently as a learner. I used to think a lot of learning was boring, but this camp showed me learning can be fun and interesting.” From a participant in our Read With Me literacy program: “I learned that it is so important to read to my daughter. It is the best gift that I can give to her.” From a female participant in one of our Veterans Book Groups : “This group was fundamental to giving me a smoother transition into the civilian world.” 11 Loomis Street, Montpelier, Vermont 05602 • Phone: (802) 262-2626 • Fax: (802) 262-2620 • vermonthumanities.org

Programs at a Glance Program Audience Number Served in 2016 Locations Reading and Discussion VERMONT READS Brings Vermonters together for General public and Estimated 5,631 people in Schools, libraries, community activities related to one book. intergenerational audiences, 73 towns participated. centers, and other nonprofjts (2016: The Endurance: Shackleton’s as well as audiences at VHC distributed more than statewide; author visits to schools Legendary Antarctic Expedition or correctional facilities, literacy 2,600 free books. and communities Shipwreck at the Bottom of the centers, and humanities camps World.) LITERATURE AND MEDICINE: HUMANITIES AT THE HEART OF HEALTH CARE A hospital-based reading and Hospitals/health care staff 54 people at four hospitals Copley Hospital, Northeastern discussion program open to all Vermont Regional Hospital, hospital and affjliated staff Rutland Regional Medical Center, White River Junction Veterans Affairs Medical Center READING AND DISCUSSION Led by a VHC-trained scholar, General public and 1,562 Vermonters took part in Statewide, hosted by libraries or these discussions make intergenerational audiences 131 discussions in other nonprofjts connections between 31 Vermont towns people, books, and ideas VETERANS BOOK GROUPS Reading and discussion Former service members, 49 veterans participated in four White River Junction VA Medical programs for veterans including one group of book groups that met for a total Center (two groups), Burlington female veterans of 31 sessions Lakeside Veterans Clinic, and the Veterans’ Place in Northfjeld ANNUAL FALL CONFERENCE A 1½ day conference that General public and teachers 260 attendees, including Held at University of Vermont’s explores a topic in depth. 30 teachers Dudley Davis Center (2016: Looking at Leadership through the Humanities.) VERMONT PUBLIC RADIO COMMENTARIES Humanities-related General public 10,000–14,000 listeners/episode On VPR, at vpr.net, and at commentaries by Peter Gilbert (11 in 2016 ≈ 137,500 listeners) vermonthumanities.org Grants GRANTS TO COMMUNITIES Grants to non-profjts for General public 21 grants totaling $40,000 Museums, libraries, and humanities programming and serving tens of thousands performing and community of Vermonters venues statewide 11 Loomis Street, Montpelier, Vermont 05602 • Phone: (802) 262-2626 • Fax: (802) 262-2620 • vermonthumanities.org

Program Audience Number Served in 2016 Locations Talks and Living History FIRST WEDNESDAYS Free public lectures featuring General public 7,184 people attended Brattleboro, Essex Junction, nationally renowned speakers in within reach of 72 talks at nine locations Manchester, Middlebury, nine communities each month, nine regional centers Montpelier, Newport, Norwich, October through May Rutland, and St. Johnsbury SPEAKERS BUREAU Speakers and living history General public 4,329 attendees at Hosted at libraries and presenters made available 115 programs in 76 towns other community centers to nonprofjt organizations statewide for public lectures READING FREDERICK DOUGLASS Annual community participatory General public 20 events involved 20 towns around Vermont readings of Frederick Douglass’s 613 participants of all ages 1852 Fourth of July address. IDEAS ON TAP A series exploring engaging General public, including 278 people attended six events ArtsRiot, a Burlington restaurant/ topics in a casual setting younger adult audiences bar and performance space Humanities-Based Literacy NEVER TOO EARLY Early literacy professional Childcare providers and 278 different providers and 279 Childcare centers and development for childcare parents, especially low-income different parents at 135 events, home care settings, parent-child providers, and family literacy households and teen parents 14 of which were at correctional centers, Head Start, correctional training for parents facilities. 6,519 free books facilities, and low-income family distributed. programs statewide CONNECTIONS A reading and discussion Corrections inmates and 134 individuals served, and 36 Correctional facilities and program, with the probationers, teen and adult group events held, including probation and parole sites, Community High School of VT, literacy students, social service 14 in correctional facilities. social service organizations, the VT Dept. of Corrections, organization clients 521 free books distributed. and adult education centers and community organizations statewide HUMANITIES CAMPS Week-long summer day At-risk middle-schoolers, 210 students in camps at 12 schools statewide* camps for at-risk middle- ages 11 to 14 12 Vermont public schools. school students. The camps 886 free books distributed. strengthen literacy skills, build positive peer groups, and nurture a love of reading. VOICES Professional development Adult educators and students, 42 adult educators received 18 adult education program for Adult Education including refugees and training. 461 teachers and centers and prison/probation and Literacy and other educators immigrants students (72 of whom were in sites statewide to facilitate book discussions; correctional facilities) received gift books for their students 1,010 free books. * Brattleboro Area Middle School, Edmunds Middle School (Burlington), Fair Haven Grade School, Irasburg Village School, Northfjeld Middle/High School, Richford Junior/Senior High School, Riverside Middle School (Springfjeld), St. Albans City School, Stowe Middle School, Waits River Valley School, Williamstown Middle/High School, Windsor Schools