Recent Events
COABE Conference - 3.25.07 - 3.28.07
Mark Edmunds displays print publications
at the CFL exhibit table
The 2007 Commission on Adult Basic Education (COABE) Conference was held at the Sheraton Philadelphia City Center Hotel on Sunday, March 25 through Wednesday, March 28, 2007. The national conference is held in a different city each year. The timing of its arrival in Philadelphia couldn’t have been better, as myriad issues concerning education are at the foreground of Philadelphia news. Over 1,000 individuals from around the country were in attendance.
The Center for Literacy had a significant presence at the event, with eight staff members presenting on a variety of topics ranging from workforce literacy to the concept of using the city of Philadelphia as a classroom in CFL’s Adult Diploma Program. Additionally, CFL hosted a table in the exhibit area where conference attendees learned more about the Center as well as perused and purchased CFL publications.
CFLA Make a Connection Day- 11.14.06
Board member Phyllis Rubin Polk discusses
public relations with an alumnus
On Tuesday, November 14, 2006 the Center for Literacy Alumni Association (CFLA) hosted its second annual Make a Connection Day. The event was held at CFL's Center City Philadelphia facility, located at 1315 Walnut Street.
Make a Connection Day offered CFL alumni and current learners the opportunity to network with each other and to meet with representatives from local corporations, colleges and vocational schools. CFL Alumni Association President Margaret Henderson hosted the evening, along with CFL staff member Earlene White.
Members of the CFL Board of Trustees served as mentors, offering insight into professional pursuits, interviewing skills, and career decision-making.
Reading Writers - 10.30.06
From left: Tom Teti, Jennifer Childs,
Cathy Simpson, & Pearce Bunting
On Monday, October 30th the Center for Literacy, in collaboration with the Philadelphia Theatre Company, hosted Reading Writers. The fundraising event helped elevate public awareness of adult literacy issues in the Philadelphia region and the programs that CFL offers to those in need.
Tom Teti of People’s Light and Theater directed the performance, which featured local Barrymore Award winning actors Pearce Bunting, Jennifer Childs and Cathy Simpson reading short stories by T.C. Boyle, Flannery O’Connor, and Zora Neale Hurston. Bridging the space between acting and literature, each actor employed body language, multiple voices and even sound effects, bringing depth and life to the stories they read.
The second half of the performance opened with Tom Teti reading a work by a former CFL student titled, ”What Does the Center for Literacy Class Mean to Me?” The stark details of the story illustrated the obstacles and difficult decisions faced by many students who seek services from the CFL.
Attendees had the opportunity to meet the actors and the director at a dessert reception following the performance.
Reading Writers raised over $20,000 to benefit the thousands of individuals CFL serves each year.
CFL would like to thank those organizations that sponsored Reading Writers:
- The Solomon and Sylvia Bronstein Foundation – Premiere Sponsor
- Pepper Hamilton, LLP – Presenting Sponsor
- Philadelphia Media Holdings – Gold Sponsor
- Citizens Bank – Silver Sponsor
- The Risk Management Association (RMA) – Actors Circle
- CBIZ Benefits and Insurance Services of PA – Actors Circle