The Results Are In!

The results are in and the 2010 LITE campaign was a HUGE success! Thanks to all of you who volunteered to become literacy tutors and the many others that helped us along the way. Here’s a quick run down of all that we accomplished during the campaign:

-Distributed 400 flyers and 1,400 brochures to 62 locations in Tuscaloosa and 23 in Bessemer.

-Produced and distributed two TV PSAs and five radio PSAs which are now airing on WVUA-TV and area radio stations 101.7, 98.1, 94.1, 95.3 and 92.9.

-Participated in the Tuscaloosa Matters radio program on 94.1.

-Distributed 2 news releases which yielded 12 stories and notes in publications.*

-Produced 22 feature stories, which are loaded on the LITE website.

-Delivered recruiting pitches to 630 students at information tables in the Ferguson Center.

-Delivered recruiting pitches to 62 classes (42), sororities (15) and groups (5) – a total audience of more than 4,400 UA students.

-Launched a new LITE website and revitalized the Facebook and Twitter account.

-Hosted an information table at the Rising Tide Tailgate on November 13; Stephen Bridgers from the LCWA was present with the Right to Literacy scroll.

-Recruited over 1,150 students and local citizens in Tuscaloosa to serve as reading tutors for children and adults or as ESL assistants.

-Work continues to attract prospective adult learners and tutors in Bessemer and Tuscaloosa through direct mail, personal contacts and meetings such as churches and prison ministries.

-Contributed over 820 service hours to the project outside of class.

*Publications include: Tuscaloosa News, Crimson White, Mobile Press Register, UA News, Crimson Events Calendar, Literacy News, Tidesports.com, Tuscaloosa Business.com, The Source News, UA Dialog, UA Home Page, Capstone E-Letter and AL.com.

We are currently preparing for a bowling fundraiser to be held January 20 to support the Literacy Council of West Alabama and information will be posted very soon. Also, for those of you who volunteered to tutor, training has been set for January 24-25 at Shelton State Community College and January 29 here at UA. Times and more information will be available closer to the dates, so be on the look out.

That’s all for now! Keep in mind, it’s never too late to sign up and change a life. If you would like to become a reading tutor or know of someone who needs help reading, contact us through literacyistheedge@gmail.com.

-The 2010 LITE Team

The 2010 Campaign Continues to Build Momentum

After only seven days, LITE has recruited nearly 650 STUDENT VOLUNTEERS! This is a tremendous response, and we would like to thank each and every one of you that has taken the first step to change a life through tutoring. Keep in mind, we will be set up in the Ferguson Center Friday from 11-3 and will continue to be presenting in classes, so don’t miss your chance to sign up!

Also, mark your calendars for the “Rising Tide Tailgate” taking place this Saturday, November 13th! LITE will be set up on The Quad directly across from Carmichael Hall. The tailgate will be providing FREE Full Moon Barbeque to all students who attend. We will be shooting footage for a special edition video highlighting the event, so be sure to stop by and see us to have a chance to be featured in it!

As you can see, this year’s campaign is in full-force and we have A LOT for you to see! We have released the two video public service announcements via YouTube, with one featuring Gary, and adult learner from the Bessemer area, and another featuring our very own Greg McElroy, Mark Ingram and Dant’a Hightower from the UA football team. You can check them out right now!

Gary’s PSA http://bit.ly/95MZD1



Athlete PSA http://bit.ly/cE33cU



We also put together a behind the scenes look at the making of the first PSA, and that can be found here: http://bit.ly/axmOSO

We are in the process of getting the materials distributed for this year’s campaign across campus and across the Tuscaloosa and Bessemer areas. We have included pictures of the advertisements and brochures that will be used so that you can be on the look-out for them in the upcoming weeks!

Student Brochure Page 1 (outside)



Student Brochure Page 2 (inside)



Tuscaloosa/Bessemer Brochure Page 1 (outside)




Tuscaloosa/Bessemer Brochure Page 2 (inside)




Adult Learner Ad for Tuscaloosa/Bessemer Areas



Adult Tutor Ad for Tuscaloosa/Bessemer Areas



Student Tutor Ad for UA’s Campus



ESL Ad Tuscaloosa/Bessemer Areas



That’s all for now! Keep in mind we are constantly posting pictures and articles on Facebook and Twitter, so search for “Literacy is the Edge” on Facebook and @L_I_T_E follow us on Twitter and keep up with the latest LITE info! If you’d like more information, feel free to contact us through literacyistheedge@gmail.com or check out lite.ua.edu.

-The 2010 LITE Team

LITE Begins the 2010 Literacy Campaign

The time is finally here! The 2010 campaign for LITE has officially begun! We have a lot planned for the next few weeks and want YOU to be involved with us every step of the way. Our class has been very active in preparing for this year’s campaign and we hope to build off of the tremendous successes from past years. But in order to do that, we need your help too. What if you could make a difference? It’s never too late.

We will be recruiting literacy tutors on campus in the Ferguson Center from 11:00 – 3:00 starting Wednesday, November 3rd, and will continue through next week. There will be fliers all over campus reminding you too, so be sure to stop by and see us. You might even have a member of LITE presenting to one of your classes over the next few days to show you how you can become involved. In addition, this year’s campaign will also include us distributing fliers and brochures to the Tuscaloosa and Bessemer areas in efforts to recruit both literacy tutors and learners. If you know someone who wants to help in these communities, or more importantly, is seeking help, let them know we will have materials sent out shortly! Later on, we will post a listing of all the locations in the Tuscaloosa and Bessemer areas that have information regarding tutoring.

This year’s campaign will include two video public service announcements, one featuring Gary, an adult learner from the Bessemer area, and another featuring our very own Greg McElroy, Mark Ingram and Dont’a Hightower. Alongside these, we will also be running a few radio public service announcements in the surrounding area so be sure to look out for them!

Another big event that we have scheduled for this year’s campaign is the Rising Tide Tailgate, taking place on Saturday, November 14th. LITE will be set up on the Quad directly across from Carmichael Hall. This is a FREE EVENT for students that will provide food and information about LITE, so be sure to come by and see us and help cheer on the Crimson Tide against Mississippi State!

There will be frequent posts on the blog to keep you completely involved with the LITE campaign. Also, be sure to join us on Facebook at “Literacy is the Edge” and follow us @L_I_T_E on Twitter. We will be posting pictures, videos and other information that you won’t find anywhere else!

That’s all for now! If you have any questions or would just like to know more about LITE, check out our website at lite.ua.edu, or email us at literacyistheedge@gmail.com.


The 2010 LITE team

What a great idea for literacy!

Fresh off the Twitter-verse, there was a post by @everybodywins, a group dedicated to building "the love of reading and literacy among low-income kids by bringing volunteers into schools for weekly 1-on-1 lunchtime reading experiences." They are competing in Pepsi's Good Idea challenge that rewards the service group of voters choice each month. Everybody Wins! USA wants to provide lunchtime reading mentors to 1,000 at-risk youth in 14 cities. Visit the site to vote for this great effort in alleviating illiteracy at a young age.

http://www.refresheverything.com/powerlunch

iPhone transformed into a full-service writing center for students

Big leaps in using technology for educational good! Great article for all you techies. You could use your skills to teach someone reading fundamentals!!

iPhone transformed into a full-service writing center for students

Tutor Time!

Have you checked out our new web site, http://www.lite.ua.edu lately? It's new and your one-stop shop to join the LITE team. Training will begin soon to spread literacy throughout Tuscaloosa County. Join today, and change a lifetime of tomorrows for a child or adult in our community!

RTR! And while you're there, check out the videos with Heisman winner Mark Ingram, fellow national champion Lorenzo Washington, and all-star gymnast Kassi Price. Links are located on the "Contact Us" page. Check it out, yo!!

ROLL TIDE!

The BCS National Championship game is upon us, and LITE is proud to be part of the Crimson Tide Nation. Tuscaloosa is buzzing with excitement, regardless of the outcome. Best wishes to our team in California and Crimson Tide fans everywhere!!! RTR