Blogs

BATESVILLE, AR – The Ozark Foothills Literacy Project's first annual yard sale scheduled for Saturday, April 20 from 7:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. It will be held at 230 McCaleb St. in Batesville, near the College Hill Apartments. In case of inclement weather, the yard sale will be held the following Saturday. Donations for the yard sale will be accepted through Friday, April 19. To donate items, call 870-793-5912 to arrange a drop off or pick up.

Just Chillin' Frozen Yogurt shop is hosting a “Give Back” day for the Ozark Foothills Literacy Project this Thursday, October 25. Batesville area residents can enjoy Just Chillin's new fall flavors while supporting literacy. Flavors include Cinnamon Roll, Pumpkin Pie, Pumpkin Cheesecake, Chocolate Custard Vanilla Custard. Twenty-five percent of the day's proceeds will be donated to the Literacy Project. The shop, located in Pioneer Plaza, 3000 Jennings Lane in Batesville, is open from 2:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. on Thursdays.

The Ozark Foothills Literacy Project, based in Batesville, AR is a United Way member agency. The Literacy Project relies on trained volunteers to provide one-on-one tutoring for over 50 adult students in Independence, Sharp and Fulton Counties who want to improve their reading or English skills. Over 15 students are currently waiting for tutors. To learn how to volunteer or for more information about the Literacy Project, please visit www.literacyindependence.org or call 870-793-5912.

Ozark Foothills Literacy Project nominees took home three of the seven 2012 Arkansas Literacy Council awards. Batesville English language student Migdalys Mobley, originally from Venezuela, was was selected as the state-wide 2012 Student of the Year.

Applications, can be downloaded from bit.ly/oflpamericorps. They are due FRIDAY, SEPT. 28 BY 5:00 P.M. Applications can be emailed to info@literacyindependence.org or dropped off by appointment.

POSITION DETAILS:

The Ozark Foothills Literacy Project, a Batesville nonprofit that works with adults who are learning to read and adults who are learning English, seeks one to two part-time AmeriCorps members to serve for one year. AmeriCorps is often referred to as "the domestic Peace Corps." Since the Literacy Project is a small but rapidly growing program, finding the right AmeriCorps member(s) is crucial. Please forward this opportunity to those you think may be a good match.

AmeriCorps members have 3 primary responsibilities: 1) tutoring students, 2) recruiting students, and 3) recruiting volunteer tutors. The term of service runs from Oct. 1, 2012 through Sept. 31, 2013.

AmeriCorps members serve 900 hours over the course of the year. This is approximately 20 hours per week.

Members receive a monthly stipend of approximately $450-$500. Amount varies depending on the individual's tax deductions.

A $2,775 educational award is granted if all 900 hours are served. Several Arkansas educational institutions will match this award, including Lyon College. The educational award can be used for tuition or student loans. For AmeriCorps members aged 55+, educational awards can be used for children, grandchildren or foster children.

Qualities of an ideal candidate:

• Passionate about adult literacy, cultural diversity and community service;
• project a positive attitude;
• have initiative;
• have demonstrated work ethics.
• Spanish language skills are a plus.

Please contact Nicole Stroud at 793-5912 or info@literacyindependence.org with any questions.

The weather was just right for Saturday's inaugural "El Pionero" Pioneer Bike Ride for Literacy, organized by Centro Cristiano in honor of their church's 8th anniversary. Dozens of bikers turned out, both novice and experienced, riding routes ranging from 2 miles to 65 miles. Church members cheered loudly as riders crossed the finish line. Centro Cristiano Pastor Bernardo Garcia awarded each biker a finisher's medal.

The Ozark Foothills Literacy Project thanks Centro Cristiano for supporting literacy, health and coming together as community. Thanks also to the many other groups who made the bike ride possible: Bike City for helping with bike maintenance, the Independence Co. sheriff reserve unit for helping with biker safety, the highway department for sweeping the highway shoulder, and the Jubilee Family Church for providing a venue.

More photos of the event are available on the Literacy Project's Facebook page.

Centro Christiano of Batesville is celebrating its 8th anniversary this month. As part of the Hispanic church's anniversary celebrations, church members are organizing “El Pionero” Pioneer Bike Ride. The event is not a race. Centro Christiano's goals are to promote health, literacy, and community; all proceeds will benefit the Ozark Foothills Literacy Project.

The bike ride will begin Saturday, Aug. 25, at 7:00 a.m. There are three different courses from which to choose.

Course 1) Round trip from the Jubilee Family Church (45 Thunderbird Dr., Batesville, AR) to Newark, approximately 20 miles. Ages 13+, $25 each.

Course 2) Round trip from the Jubilee Family Church to Sulphur Rock, approximately 10 miles. Ages 13+, $25 each.

Course 3) A 2-3 mile ride at the Jubilee Family Church and nearby Quail Valley. Ages 12 and under, $15 each.

Helmets are required for all riders. All riders will receive t-shirts and finisher's medals. To pre-register for the event, call 870-613-5394 or visit www.literacyindependence.org/pioneerbikeride.

Centro Christiano, located at 750 17th Street, is part of the Assemblies of God USA denomination of churches. It was founded in 2004, and serves approximately 150 members. For more information about Centro Christiano, please contact pastor Bernardo Garcia at 870-793-5489.

Ashton Weaver & Natalie Ives training for the tri

The First Annual Bad Boy Kids Triathlon for Literacy will take place the morning of July 14, 2012 at Lyon College. Kids will swim, bike and run to benefit the Ozark Foothills Literacy Project. The triathlon is open to kids ages 5-16 and will cost $20 per person. Distances vary by age. Ages 5-6 will swim 25 yards, bike .5 miles, and run .25 miles; ages 7-9 will swim 50 Yards, bike 1 mile, and run .5 miles; ages 10-12 will swim 100 yards, bike 2 miles, and run .75 miles; and ages 13-16 will swim 150 yards, bike 3 miles, and run 1 mile. To register, visit literacyindependence.org/kidstri or call 870-793-5912.

The Ozark Foothills Literacy Project, which serves Independence, Sharp and Fulton Counties, teaches adults who are learning to read and adults who are learning English. Based in Batesville, Arkansas, the Literacy Project is a United Way member agency and part of the Arkansas Literacy Councils network of adult literacy organizations. The Literacy Project relies on trained volunteers to provide one-on-one tutoring for adult students who need help with their basic reading or English language skills. Volunteer tutors meet with their students for two hours per week in public facilities such as libraries, churches, and schools.

The Literacy Project seeks additional underwriters and volunteers for the kids triathlon. Organizations and individuals who are interested in supporting this fun, healthy summer activity for kids should contact the Literacy Project at info@literacyindependence.org or 870-793-5912.

BATESVILLE, AR – Batesville's 2nd Annual Pulp Ark Convention and Writers Conference, held at the Independence County Fairgrounds April 20-22, raised nearly $1,000 for the Ozark Foothills Literacy Project. Pulp Ark attendees participated in a trivia competition and a live auction, both fundraisers for the Literacy Project. Out-of-town and local writers and artists donated autographed books, one-of-a-kind artwork, music, and more. Celebrity guest Felix Silla, best known for his roles as “Cousin Itt” in the Addams Family television show, Twiki the Robot on Buck Rogers, and as an Ewok in Return of the Jedi, donated autographed photos for the auction.

Pulp Ark and its associated fundraisers were coordinated by Tommy Hancock and Fuller Bumpers of the Batesville-based publishing company, Pro Se Productions. Pro Se works with pulp fiction writers and artists across the country to produce both pulp novels and the monthly magazine “Pro Se Presents.” Pulp fiction can be described as fast-paced action/adventure hero-versus-villain stories with extravagant plots.

The Ozark Foothills Literacy Project, based in Batesville, AR is a United Way member agency and part of the Arkansas Literacy Councils network. The organization relies on trained volunteers to provide one-on-one tutoring for adult students who want to improve their reading or English skills. For more information about the Literacy Project, please visit www.literacyindependence.org or call 870-793-5912.

For more information about Pulp Ark or Pro Se Productions, please visit http://www.prosepulp.com or call 870-834-4022.