A Little Glimpse into The #REAL Program

www.therealprogram.org

The REAL Program meets 50 children at the Brickett School 3 afternoons per week in the fall semester and the winter/spring semester. This year's summer program takes us to #NorthShoreCommunityBaptistChurch in Beverly for 6 weeks for our all new #REALSTREAM2017. This little video shows one student signing in and showing his new buddies what is a #REAL part of the day. We all sign in as a #student, an #intern and as a #mentor.

Readocity app to be shared at The REAL Program

As a parent of two young children now 8 and 6 Vidya realized the problems a busy household with two working parents have in raising young readers. It was hard for parents to have conversations around books read at school with kids. Paper reading logs were either lost or arrived too late to have exciting conversations around books read and daily reading activities.. Also busy working parents were clueless on what books to buy/rent  to engage their readers. All this was resulting in kids losing interest in reading and resorting to screen time and  just dropping out of reading.  Having worked in technology for 15 years, Vidya knows this problem can be solved through technology. With an easy to use mobile app, we can keep parents  and educators (or any party interested in developing the child as a reader) up to date on reading activities so both parties can follow the child and their reading. Through the app, we can also push curated recommendations to parents and teachers so we can raise happy readers and support school systems in their mission for literacy. Readocity is a solution for school systems PreK-12 and is already adopted by a few schools as a tool for reading and literacy.

#REAL Thanks Librarians

#theREALProgram #RosemaryWellsAuthorVisitTour was so successful today! Each #library was well attended and each place had its own unique characteristics but all so beautiful. The #maxandRuby author/illustrator shared the stories behind the stories- interesting tales of each of the characters and how she uses different every-day items to create depth in her images; cheerios, chex mix, rice, lentils, straw brooms are some ideas. 

Huge shout out to the #dedicatedlibrarians at #LynnpublicLibrary, #LuciusBeebeMemorialLibrary in Wakefield and #IpswichPublicLibrary. 

Rosemary Wells Literacy and Library Tour on March 11th, 2017

Well-known children's books author and illustrator Rosemary Wells is coming to our region on Saturday, March 11th. The author, most noted for her PBS characters Max and Ruby, has toured the entire United States with author visits and talks about her life as someone who has created over 130 children's books in her career. Some of us remember one of her first characters, Noisy Nora!

Here is the schedule!

10:00-11:30

 Lynn Public Library

5 North Common St.

Lynn, MA 01902

12:30-2:00

Lucius Beebe Memorial Library
345 Main St.
Wakefield, MA 01880

3:00-4:30

Ipswich Public Library

25 North Main St.

Ipswich, MA 01938

Purchase a book; get an autograph or be in a photo with the famous celebrity; learn the stories behind the stories.

The event is free and brought to you by The REAL Program and Friends of Lynn, Ipswich and Wakefield Public Libraries. 
Donations are gratefully accepted to our mission to improve literacy.

NOTE:  This day is in place of the Legacy Institute for Early Childhood Educators

After Reading and Homework at The REAL Program

Ukelele Man on Boston Public Garden

The year held so many great moments for every age group. On this particular day we took a trip to Boston to see the statues of the ducklings of the classic children's book by Robert McCloskey, Make Way for Ducklings. 
It was a beautiful October day and we had a chance to see the world outside. There was a "ukulele man" enjoying the weather and the crowds at Boston Public Garden and then there was a group of children from The REAL Program in Lynn.

REAL Hope Your Day was Merry and Bright!

www.therealprogram.org

REAL Breaking News

Great family event at #LandofaTHOUSANDhillsCoffeeShop
offered every Saturday morning from 9-11
by
The REAL Program

We have some exciting news! During this holiday season, we have been given the opportunity to purchase our rental home! It was unexpected and a complete surprise. With this, however come some consequences, good and bad, that we need to sort out. The good news is that we will be able to provide stability that is so vital to continue our growth and success here in our incredible home on Ocean St. This will mean more opportunity in the future for us to help and guide the wonderful children and their families that we work with and support. We can continue to provide books for all the children who need them; increase the time to help the parents with their desire to learn English giving their children a stronger family community tie. It means that we can work more days with the children year round. We will be able to work even more closely with the surrounding high schools and colleges providing a mentor program working with the children on their academics.

Here is the other consequence; the not so good. The time frame for this to happen is very short. We realize that if we can’t make this commitment, it would very difficult times ahead for us. Losing our home means that we may not be able to continue the program as we know it. We will not give up on our program and we are fighting to stay on track. If there is any way that you can help us in this endeavor, we would be  “REALLY “grateful.

Story time at #WashingtonStreetBaptistChurch read by Lynn Public Police Officer Summer 2016

We need your help

How Can I Help You Today?

REAL Night Out 2016 FUN FUN FUN!!!!!

The Giving Tree Table Decorations Win First Prize at #REALnightOUT2016

Fun people who worked for weeks creating the winning table decorations of The REAL Night OutCongratulations to the GIVING TREE table!

THANK YOU TO ALL THE REAL FRIENDS who came to the REAL Night OUT

The REAL Night Out was a great night of great food, great fun, great music, REAL friends and REAL fundraising.

www.therealprogram.orgwww.therealprogram.org

Plan a Bid at the #REALNIGHTOUT

This beautiful antique tea set could be yours. Place a bid at the silent auction part of the #REALNightOut

Two Mornings In Maine

TWO Mornings In Maine is another generous donation at this year's #REALnightOUT

Don't miss this year's REAL Night Out, Saturday, October 22, 2016 at Glen Urquhart School, 74 Hart St., Beverly from 6:00-10:00. Get your tickets here!

Solitude

Look at These from Nancy Schon for REAL

Nancy Schon in her studio

Nancy Schon's miniature sculptures

Sculptor Nancy Schon is the Guest of Honor at this year's REAL NIGHT OUT Fundraiser at Glen Urquhart School in Beverly on 10/22 from 6:00-10:00 pm. One live auction item is a chance to visit Nancy at her studio- what a treat!

Police Officer Michael

What Makes us REAL?

The REAL Program is undergoing a strategic planning process to help us learn what makes us REAL and what will make us more REAL for more people in the future. The process is crucial for us to become recognized as an organization worthy of people's resources of time, money and expertise. 
Our organization's stake holders consist of the children, parents, interns, mentors, specialists, peer educators, community leaders and peer organizations. This is an interesting process to consider and our hope is that we can build and grow for REAL.

Please join us for the Swanky REAL Night Out

Please join us for the annual fundraiser for The REAL Program, a fully recognized 501c3 organization whose mission is to improve #literacy

www.therealprogram.org

STOP!!!!! Did you sign up for the #REALnightOut

Michael is joining his friends, Mrs. Mallard and her ducklings, to find their way to Glen Urquhart School in Beverly for the REAL Night Out

September 11th at Lynn English High School

Please join The REAL Program and other nonprofits to participate in a time of service to others in honor of the 15th anniversary of September 11th. Congressman Seth Moulton's office is the energy behind this day. Start time is 9:00 am and end time is 12:30 pm. We are proud to be part of this. Hope you can join us. Please register online at Congressman Moulton's website. It is FREE.

#REAL Press Release for Swanky REAL Night Out

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media contact:

Ginny Slack

ginny@therealprogram.org

Swanky REAL Night Out

August 28, 2016 Lynn, MA – The REAL Program invites you to the Swanky REAL Night Out, to be held on Saturday, October 22nd from 6:00 p.m.  to 10:00 p.m. at Glen Urquhart School in Beverly. A REAL Night Out features a live and silent auction, food from Kelly’s Roast Beef, music from the Pocket Change Trio, and a REAL life performance. The REAL Program (Reading~Educational Assistance~Learning) is a 501(c)3 organization based in Lynn that strives to improve literacy through its after school educational programs for children in grades K-5 as well as through its book collection and food distribution campaign.

According to founder Jan Plourde, “The gap between what the teachers can do and what the families can do is vast. That is where The REAL Program comes in. We are like the extended family for these children.

Kevin Carey, president of the board of directors of The REAL Program, noted author/poet and English professor at Salem State University says, “This group of people gets things done. That is why I like it.”

In Lynn, a city that 100,000 people call home, there are 56 languages spoken. There are 18 public elementary schools and only one public library. Most of the schools do not have school libraries due to the need for classroom space. Only 50% of the children in Lynn attend preschool before they enter kindergarten. The needs of these children are apparent, and the REAL Program works to address them by providing books, food, and homework help for children as well as English language tutoring for their parents in a safe and caring environment.   

The REAL Program’s activities are made possible through a service-learning model designed to provide meaningful volunteer opportunities for retired teachers and professionals and quality service-learning opportunities for high school and college students.  Through the collaborative efforts of many individuals, the REAL Program is making a difference in the lives of children.  We invite you to join us in this work by attending our October 22nd fundraiser or making a donation today.

About The REAL Program (Reading~Educational Assistance~Learning):

The REAL Program offers an after-school educational program in Lynn during the academic year and operates a literacy-based summer program for children in grades K-5.  It collects and distributes children’s books, nutritious food, and resources through volunteers in the greater Lynn area.

151 Ocean Street, Lynn, MA 01902.

Tel. 978-993-4425 Fax 866-611-7567

Email: READ@therealprogram.org

Website: www.therealprogram.org.

To purchase tickets sponsor a child or to make a contribution, please visit the website at: www.therealprogram.org. All proceeds go directly to the program. Operational costs include rent for afterschool program space, printing costs, postage, insurance, telephone, paper goods, website licensing and host management, data management, and maintenance of the REAL MOBILE for book distribution.

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