Summer Issue 2015 School may be out for the summer, but this is a critical time for learning, particularly for children of low-income families and for children who are learning English. In Houston, more than 80 percent of children are considered economically disadvantaged, and approximately one-third are English Language Learners, placing them at-risk for experiencing summer learning loss, oftentimes referred to as the “summer slide.” In essence, research shows that these children lose ground in achievement, while their more affluent peers are actually gaining ground during the summer months. When this happens year after year, without proper interventions or support, the achievement gap widens. In fact, by the 9th grade, children can be as far as two years behind their more affluent peers because of the compounding impact of the summer slide. Several organizations across Houston are providing summer learning programs to help mitigate the summer slide, and they need your help. You can help by volunteering at connect4literacy.org and giving of your time and talent or by donating new or gently used books. Books are an essential tool for learning during the summer months, yet far too many children across Houston do not have access to books in their home – they are a luxury they simply cannot afford. By simply reading at least four books during the summer, the summer slide can be combatted. So, clean out your bookshelves or hold a book drive in your neighborhood, among your Book Club members, or at your church. The Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation will provide a good home for those books through one of our many partner organizations. In the words of Barbara Bush, “Everyone can do something to help.” Find your something with us. Yours in service, Julie Baker Finck, Ph.D. President Discover What Neil Bush is Reading Neil Bush is reading “Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption” by Laura Hillenbrand. This is the powerful story of the life of Louis Zamperini, an American airman whose airplane crashed into the Pacific during World War II. Louis survived 47 harrowing days at sea on a raft only to be captured by the Japanese. He was subjected to horrible treatment for his two years as a prisoner. When he was freed from captivity, he returned to the USA and his life spiraled out of control. He turned his life around, however, after meeting Billy Graham and ultimately traveled to Japan to forgive his tormentors. “The book is very well written and tells this gripping story in a captivating way,” states Neil. “I have not seen the movie, but it can't possibly be as good as the book.” Barbara Bush Celebrates 90th Birthday Former First Lady Barbara Bush celebrated her monumental 90th birthday with a Celebration of Reading: 25 Years of Family Literacy event and A Cause for Celebration Dinner that honored and celebrated her lifelong passion and commitment to literacy. Joined by close family and friends at her family’s estate in Kennebunkport, Maine, the celebratory event was co-hosted by her children Doro Bush Koch and Jeb Bush, and raised $17 million dollars to support programs, including the launch of an X Prize for the development of technology applications to improve adult literacy through the Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy. A memorable affair, the celebration featured best-selling guest authors Sandra Brown, Jill Conner Browne, James McBride and Brad Meltzer and musical performances by Reba McEntire, Terri Hatcher, Amy Grant and Michael W. Smith. In an intimate interview on the TODAY Show with her granddaughter Jenna Bush Hager, Mrs. Bush stated: “I’ve been the luckiest woman in the world, truthfully, and I know it.” We have been lucky to have her as a role model and champion for literacy across America. The Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation celebrated Mrs. Bush’s birthday and her legacy with a weeklong social media celebration in which we shared old family photos, birthday articles and a heartfelt birthday tribute video that featured personal messages from her kids, grandkids, and famous friends, including Arnold Schwarzenegger, Brad Paisley, Clint Black and the Gatlin Brothers. You can view the touching and entertaining birthday video by visiting our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/bushhoustonliteracy. While you are there, please be sure to leave a message and to like our page. Neil Bush Receives 2015 Impact Award We are excited to announce that our very own Neil Bush received the prestigious 2015 Impact Award presented by Volunteer Houston during the 31st Annual Greater Houston Service Awards. “Today’s celebration was a way to thank all of the people in the community who give back without expecting anything in return,” said Dr. Bill Flores, president of the University of Houston Downtown and co-chair of the Greater Houston Service Awards. “These are the unsung heroes of the Houston community.” As a servant leader, Neil unselfishly gives of his time, knowledge and resources and continuously works to build a community focused on service. He serves as co-chair of the Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation and chairman of Points of Light - the world’s largest organization dedicated to volunteer service. Congratulations, Neil, for this amazing recognition and for leading by example! Deloitte Impacts Houston Children On Friday, June 5, 2015, members of the Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation, Deloitte, the Houston Independent School District (HISD) and KIPP CONNECT teamed for Deloitte’s Impact Day - a day in which Deloitte member firms from around the world spent the day volunteering in the community. Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation co-chair, Neil Bush, and Deloitte Houston’s managing partner, Anne Taylor, joined more than 100 Deloitte employees for a day of teaching and reading to nearly 1,000 pre-K through grade 5 students at Sutton Elementary, Bruce Elementary and KIPP CONNECT Houston Primary School. The volunteers assisted teachers with classroom instruction by following lesson plans provided by Neuhaus Education Center and were able to provide free books to each student as a result of generous book donations made by McGraw Hill and HEB. Following their class visits, Neil Bush and Anne Taylor joined a group of community leaders for a mini-literacy summit where they engaged in discussions about Houston’s current literacy crisis and strategies for tackling illiteracy. As a corporate partner of the Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation, Deloitte has donated more than 1,500 hours of pro bono services in the development of our A Blueprint for Community Action and the launch of connect4literacy.org. The impact that Deloitte is having on the city of Houston is immeasurable and a great demonstration of how corporations can make positive ongoing contributions within our local community. Closing the Summer Learning Loss Gap Did you know that low-income students lose more than two months in reading achievement during the summer, while their affluent peers make slight gains? The Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation recognizes this critical issue and has provided funding to the Houston Area Urban League (HAUL) to provide Summer Reading Camps to low-income children. Taking place at three affordable housing communities located throughout the Houston area, these complimentary camps have been designed to engage students and parents in the literacy process and will include an array of interactive reading, writing, speaking and thinking activities. Over 100 volunteers from Phillips 66, Deloitte, Schlumberger, Jack and Jill of America, the Young Professionals' Groups of HAUL and the Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation are expected to participate in this educational event, supporting children in engaging literacy activities. More than 100 children are expected to attend. Additionally, due to gracious donations provided by supporters of the A Celebration of Reading and book donations from Castro’s Kids, all children in attendance will receive a Scholastic Summer Reading Kit and a selection of books to keep them reading happily throughout the summer. Six Ways to Serve This Summer Would you like to help someone in need or share a skill? Do you enjoy making a difference in the community and learning something new? Regardless of your reasons, volunteering is a great way to use your God-given talents for the betterment of others and the overall community. To help you get started, we have identified some wonderful service opportunities that you or your entire family may enjoy. The Read Houston Read program is seeking adult volunteers to read with individual HISD elementary students for just one hour per week, and the International Emergency and Development Aid organization needs volunteers to teach English as a Second Language (ESL) to adult students. In addition, the Harris County Public Library can always use some helping hands to assist with its United States citizenship exam preparations. Additionally, children as young as 12 years of age can kick-start their legacy of service by volunteering this summer. The Kids’ Reading Room is always looking for volunteers to read to elementary students, and the Houston Public Library needs the assistance of teenagers to help facilitate its Camp Stream program. Also, if you are looking for an opportunity for the entire family to serve together, head over to the Friends of the Houston Public Library to help scan and sort incoming book donations that are used for community book sales. To learn more about these volunteer opportunities and to discover other opportunities that are happening in your neck of the woods, please visit connect4literacy.org. Stay Connected With Us www.facebook.com/BushHoustonLiteracy www.instagram.com/BushHoustonLit www.twitter.com/BushHoustonLit www.Pinterest.com/BushHoustonLit .