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MARCH 2016 CONNECTING PEOPLE WHO CARE WITH CAUSES THAT MATTER

Harrison Students Go “On Air” to Boost Their Language SkillsA Community Foundation grant helps support an innovative program for local English Learner students.

With nicknames such as Awesome Dave and Mad Dog, a dozen fourth-grade students at Harrison Primary Center are strengthening their language skills in a unique way: They’re producing their own radio show.

“The Fourth Grade Fun Bunch,” which airs weekly, is the result of a partnership with local radio station Sabor Latino, with grant support from the Community Foundation.

The “Bunch” is made up of English Learner (EL) students, non-native speakers who constitute the fastest-growing demographic in the Indiana public school system.

Working in four small groups, the students meet twice a week to research, write, and rehearse their material before broadcasting the show live each Wednesday.

During a recent after-school session, Mariela, Sherlyn, and Miranda work together to prep their segment, which will feature an interview with Harrison’s assistant principal. They’re planning to include a special joke in honor of Dr. Van Dyke, who plays guitar. (“What do you call a cow who plays an instrument? A moo-sician.”) In honor of Valentine’s Day, they’ve also got a recipe for chocolate espresso cream cheese pops.

Cayla Kedik, whose EL endorsement makes her a perfect fit for the job, is one of two fourth-grade teachers who coordinate program.

“The students are researching, reading, speaking, and listening—They’re hitting all the language domains with this

HIGHLIGHTS

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Harrison students Anahy [left] and Deandra take to the airwaves with their segment of “The Fourth Grade Fun Bunch” at local radio station Sabor Latino.

Foundation Board President Tim Sexton talks with Board member Spike Abernethy and facilitator Tom Harvey.

“They’re hitting all the language domains with this program,” says Harrison teacher Cayla Kedik.

Last month, the Community Foundation held a retreat for our Board members. Facilitated by Tom Harvey, former director of Notre Dame’s Master of Nonprofit Administration Program at the Mendoza College of Business, our time together was an opportunity to assess our work, think about our community’s opportunities, and discuss our plans for the future.It was also a reminder of how talented and generous our Community Foundation Board members are—and how important they are to the Foundation.

Timothy D. Sexton, Chair Nancy N. King., Past Chair Jeffrey P. Costello, Vice Chair M. Patricia Hackett, Treasurer Brad C. Beutter, Secretary

Spike Abernethy Jose Alvarez Katie Anthony Carl L. Bossung Dr. Virginia Calvin Hon. Roland W. Chamblee, Jr. Richard C. Currey John Firth Dr. George Friend Sherri A. Goodwin Mary Jan Hedman Dr. Vincent C. Henderson Pam Jarrett Christopher Karam James F. Keenan Greta Roemer Lewis Tina Patton Jeffrey Rea

program,” Kedik says. “I’m seeing the impact in the classroom every day.”

And, she adds, the kids love it. “They can’t wait for ‘radio days’,” she says.

Kedik’s fellow coordinator, veteran teacher Sally Eggleston, uses her extensive experience as a writing coach to help students create their scripts. She’s also adept at helping the “Bunch” with delivery.

“It’s okay to laugh, or to say ewwww! when something’s gross,” she reassures two of the boys, who have gotten the giggles over a segment about “wet” and “dry” ear infections. “That helps your audience understand you.”

Harrison Principal Patty Karban likes the way that the weekly radio program encourages parents to be involved with their children’s learning.

“Before the episodes air, we text all the parents to remind them to tune in,” she says. “They’re just as excited as the kids.”

That audience keeps growing. The Boys & Girls Club at Harrison play the show live through the PA system for the 110 members of its after-school program, and it’s a hit. You can listen to “The Fourth Grade Fun Bunch” from 3 to 4 p.m. each Wednesday on 105.7 FM.

COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF ST. JOSEPH COUNTY • PAGE 2

Two lifelong educators are creating a legacy that will help others achieve their educational dreams.

For Richmond and Virginia Calvin, generosity grows out of gratitude—and a sincere desire to give back.

“We wouldn’t be where we are if someone hadn’t given us a break,” says Richmond.

Warmly, he recalls a professor, recently deceased, who mentored him and Virginia in graduate school. “He’d say, ‘Don’t worry about what I’ve done. I’m glad you thanked me, but now you go out and help someone yourself.’”

Both of the Calvins, who hold doctorates in their respective fields, are lifelong educators. Richmond was a faculty member in education and counseling at IUSB for 30 years and practiced part-time as a psychotherapist, and Virginia is the former superintendent of the South Bend Community School

Corporation (SBCSC) and Chancellor of Ivy Tech North Central. They’ve created two scholarship funds with the Community Foundation: The Doctor Richmond E. Calvin Scholarship for African-American undergraduate students studying education at IUSB, and the Virginia B. Calvin Scholarship, which supports female SBCSC graduates studying at Ivy Tech. The Calvins were also the campaign co-chairs of the African American Community Fund, established in 1999.

Growing up poor in Louisiana, Virginia says, she had a hard time believing that higher education could be possible.

“When our parents told us, ‘You’re going to school,’ we kept thinking, where are they getting the money from? That’s the legacy that we want to leave to the community—That you can go to school.”

Focusing on Our Donors: Richmond and Virginia Calvin

The “Fourth Grade Fun Bunch” airs from 3 to 4 pm each Wednesday on WETF 105.7 FM.

Education—from preschool to adult—is one of the Community Foundation’s main areas of focus. Learn more about our work in education and how you can support it at www.cfsjc.org.

Richmond and Virgina Calvin

HARRISON continued from p. 1

“That’s the legacy we want to leave to the community—that you can go to school,” says Virginia Calvin.

PAGE 3

The Excel Center goes beyond traditional adult education programs with a Core 40 diploma and many additional support services.

After years away from a school environment, returning to finish a high school diploma can be a daunting task. It takes considerable time and tremendous effort—especially for adults who struggle with balancing families, jobs, and other commitments.

Goodwill’s new Excel Center makes it easier for adult students to achieve that

goal. Excel Center students can finish diplomas on an accelerated schedule while earning dual high school and college credits. Tuition is free, and any Indiana resident 18 or older can enroll.

The Excel Center concept began in Indianapolis in 2010, when Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard partnered with Goodwill to create a school for adults that would tackle Indiana’s education and skills gaps. Other Excel Centers, including the South Bend location, followed. Authorized by the Indiana Charter School Board, the Excel Center awards a Core 40 diploma, the same diploma earned by traditional students.

Goodwill’s Excel Center Creates New Path for Adult Students

Life Coach Jess Lacay (left) with Crystal, an Excel Center student who will graduate in June.

That’s one of the special things about the Excel Center, says Debie Coble, president and CEO of Goodwill Industries of Michiana.

“Some employers still tend to look at a traditional high school diploma differently than a GED.... You’re better prepared for the workforce, in a more holistic way.”

Executive Director Randy Beachy explains that the Excel Center uses an accelerated format to help students make tangible progress toward their degrees. Sessions are eight weeks, with daily classes taught by the Center’s ten teachers. Most classes are 90 minutes long, although some run three hours.

Currently, the Excel Center has more than 280 students, ranging in age from 18 to 62. One of those students is Crystal, who is finishing her high school degree 14 years after she left school. When she enrolled in November, she was 22 credits short of the 40 she needed; now, she’s on track to graduate in June. She plans to go on to college, possibly to study nursing.

Crystal is at the Excel Center every weekday from 9 until 4, taking classes and studying in the Center’s common areas. After school, she cares for her grandparents; then, it’s home to study with her two children, ages 10 and 14.

“When they see Mom pull out her book bag, they know it’s time for us all to get going on our homework,” she says.

Crystal also works two night-shift jobs, as a CNA and a bartender.

“It’s hard,” she says, frankly. “You have to keep fighting, keep pushing yourself.

“Some employers still tend to look at a traditional high school diploma differently than a GED,” says Debie Coble.

What Makes the Excel Center Unique?•completelytuition-freeforIndianaresidentswhoare18orover

•accelerated8weekssessionswithcontinuousenrollment

• studentsearnaCore40diploma—atraditionaldegree,notaGED

• freeTranspopassesforstudentswhoqualify

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• freeon-sitechildcareforchildrenagessixweeksthrough12years

•dedicatedLifeCoacheswhoworkone-on-onewithstudentstosolvechallengesandprovideencouragementandresources

•dualhighschoolandcollegecredits,multipletechnicalcertificationprograms

P.O. BOX 837SOUTH BEND, IN 46624

Non Profit Org.

U.S. Postage

PAID

South Bend, IN

Permit No. 417

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

EXCEL CENTER continued from p. 3

SBPD Chief Scott Ruszkowski with David Kennedy, of John Jay College in New York

Often, he adds, that level of support isn’t what students expect.

“I had a student who came to me late in the session with some problems she was having, and I said, ‘I wish you would told me about this earlier.’ She said, ‘I’ve never had anyone help me before. I didn’t know anyone would want to.’”

“It’s all about understanding the students’ mindsets,” says Coble. “We try to meet them where they are so we can help them.”

The Community Foundation is proud to continue to help coordinate and support the South Bend Group Violence Intervention, a collaboration among local law enforcement, government, education, health care, and social service agencies. Recently, the SBPD put together a new unit focused on this strategy. Together, we can help stop group-related violence.

Sometimes, I want to quit—but she won’t let me,” she says, pointing to Jess Lacay, her Life Coach.

Lacay laughs. “I’m very good at ‘legally stalking,’” she says. “Facebook reminders, calls... I do whatever I can to help, to keep students motivated.”

The Center provides each student with access to a Life Coach. Lacay, who focuses on college readiness, is the

lead coach among a group of five. Peer encouragement and mentoring, she says, is also key to student success—and that’s a role that Crystal embraces.

“One of those times where it was extra hard, I came into school and I saw my picture on the “Upcoming Graduates” wall—and I thought, I can keep going. I can do it, because I need to be an example for others.”

Coble has been delighted by how warmly the community has responded to the Excel Center.

“The Mayor’s office, Transpo, Curtis Products, Ivy Tech, WorkOne, all of our local social service agencies—” she says. “They’re all eager to work with us.”

Goodwill’s robust track record of partnering with other agencies means the Excel Center can help connect students with resources when they face challenges in their personal lives—lack of transportation, the loss of a job, or a potential eviction.

“We focus on trying to remove barriers to being in school,” says Beachy.

“You have to keep fighting, keep pushing yourself. Sometimes, I want to quit—but [Lacay] won’t let me.”

Learn about programs that Community Foundation grants support and how they make our community a better place at www.cfsjc.org.

The Excel Center offers students free child care for children from six months to 12 years. The director of child care, Rose Loraff, is certified in HighScope, the “gold standard” of early childhood education.