Join Us In Our Mission
Light A Candle For Literacy ("LACFL") strives to build healthier communities through grass roots efforts in the broader Central New York community and nationally by contributing to the development of children who will become productive citizens.
LACFL promotes the encouragement of children as they strive for literacy. We advocate that parents, family members and educators lead by positive example. We urge community leaders and members to become involved and to commit resources to address literacy needs, both locally and nationally.
LACFL wants children to have and retain the skills that they need to succeed academically, but even more important, we want them to fully participate in a literate society. We identify practices that are effective in improving student achievements in the areas of reading, writing, mathematics and other curricula. We will facilitate the implementation of these practices in order to
achieve the goal of increasing the number of children who are at or above grade level.
A Brief History
The planning for Light a Candle for Literacy began in December of 2005 when Geneva Hayden, a literacy advocate and South Side community member, and Karen Norton, a librarian at Beauchamp Public Library, convened a meeting of invited and interested people.
The initial goals set by the early participants were to increase awareness of the importance
of literacy, counteract the summer reading loss in children, and help parents understand the importance of reading to their children daily.
The need for such an event was evident to community members and leaders. Those members working with children in the community made us aware that the children were setting their life goals and ambitions very low. Instead of aspiring to be doctors and nurses and perhaps falling short, they were settling for much less at the outset.
Increased literacy levels can help children to do better in school and to gain the skills and confidence to aim higher.
LACFL reaches out to young people every Monday through Thursday, engaging them in conversations on reading, cultural literacy, character building, and todays education for tomorrows jobs. These meetings are open to anyone who wishes to attend.
Mondays
7:30-8:45am - Danforth Middle School
309 W Brighton Ave
Syracuse, NY 13205
(315) 435-4535
4:30-5:30pm - Boys and Girls Club of Syracuse
2100 E Fayette St
Syracuse, NY 13224
(315) 428-9807
Tuesdays
3:00-5:00pm - Beauchamp Library
2111 S Salina St
(315) 435-3395
Wednesdays
3:00-4:00pm - Mary Nelson Youth Center
2849 S Salina St
Syracuse New York 13205
(315-422-5690)
Thurdays
The Determination Center of Central New York
1654 W Onondaga St
Syracuse NY 13204
(315) 396-0148
April 29 - June 3, 2011: Light a Candle for Literacy Parade and Festival Planning Meetings
Time: 7:30am - 8:30am *
Where: Beauchamp Library, 2111 South Salina St, Syracuse, NY 13205
Purpose: Planning for the upcoming Sixth Annual Light a Candle for Literacy Parade and Festival
*These meetings will recur Friday mornings at Beauchamp Library on the following dates leading up to the festival: May 6, 13, 20, 27 June 3
May 7, 2011: Kwanzaa Village Garden Monthly Meeting
Time: 12:00pm - 1:00pm
NOTE: All newcomers should come to the Southwest Community Center at 11:30 am so that we can get them signed up prior to the meeting.
Contact BEAN at (315) 256-0644 or wearebean_gmail.com
May 12, 2011: Home Depot to assist B.E.A.N. in Phase II of Kwanzaa Village Garden renovation
Time: 8:00am - 5:00pm
Where: The Kwanzaa Village Garden is located on the 900 block of Midland Ave, Syracuse, NY
NOTE: We are asking all adult volunteers to help with this project. Click the button below to download/view the press release.
BEAN press release.pdf
May 14, 2011: Garden Fest at the Kwanzaa Village Garden
Time: 11:00am - 2:00pm
Purpose: To kick off this year's growing season, with food and info on how to live sustainably within your envirnonment
**We are asking both adults and children to join us for this celebration. Please contact B.E.A.N. at (315) 256-0644 or
wearebean_gmail.com if you have a group that is interested in volunteering.
B.E.A.N.
PO BOX 35816
Syracuse, NY 13235
(315) 256-0644
(315) 256-0634
June 4th, 2011: Sixth Annual Light a Candle for Literacy Parade and Festival
Time: Saturday 12:00-3:00pm
Where: The parade will start at noon from the parking lot at Key Bank (next to Beauchamp Library), 2209 S. Salina Street Syracuse, NY 13205, and end at Danforth School for the festival, 309 W. Brighton Ave., Syracuse, NY 13205
Click on any resource below to be redirected.
Literacy Volunteers of Greater Syracuse
http://lvgs.org/
Friends of the Central Libraries
http://www.giffordlectureseries.org/
Pro Literacy
http://www.proliteracy.org/
CNY Works
http://www.cnyworks.com/
Central New York Community Foundation
http://cnycf.org/cnycf/
Tuesday, February 15, 2011* 6-8pm Old Roots, New Roots: The deeper the causes of difficulties between new arrivals to America (like Somalis or Bhutanese) and "older" Americans (like African Americans or Native Americans). How can everyone learn to work together? Beauchamp Public Library 2111 South Salina St., Syracuse, NY 13205
Tuseday, January 18, 2011* 6-8pm Those Who Feed Us: CNY Workers' Center Coordinator Rebecca Fuentes speaks about the hardships and triumphs of western NY migrant farmworkers. Discussion follows. Beauchamp Public Library
Monday, January 17, 2011, Martin Luther King Day Annual Youth Membership Luncheon
Prince of Peace Missionary Baptist Church, 317 Jefferson St., Syracuse, NY 13202
Tuesday, December 28, 2010* 6-8pm Herbs in our Lives: Storytelling by Mary Marquis with Belle Wilson; Jeannie Shenandoah talks about how to use wild food plants and the healing herbs we grow. Beauchamp Public Library
Thursday, December 9, 2010* 6-8pm Here for the Long Haul: Building partnerships and ownerships in Syracuse's community gardens. Beauchamp Public Library _ E. Colvin & S. Salina, Syracuse, NY
Sunday, November 14, 2010* 6-8pm Bill's Night: celebrating Bill Manciocchi for his years of growing plants for southside community gardens. Plymouth Congregational Church 232 East Onondaga St., Syracuse, NY 13202
Saturday, September 11, 2010 10am-1pm Taking Back Our Community One Step at a Time
_ the corner of Midland & Furman
Tuesday, July 13, 2010 6:30-7:30pm Community Project for Change
Danforth Magnet School, 309 West Brighton Ave., Syracuse, NY
Saturday, June 05, 2010 12-3pm 5th Annual Light a Canlde for Literacy Parade & Festival
Beauchamp Branch Library, 2111 S. Salina St. / Danforth School, 309 W. Brighton Ave., Syracuse, NY
* Starred dates are potluck dinners - Questions? Contact Mary Marquis 476-3754 or Mable Wilson 471-7063 Spanish interpreter Rebecca Fuentes 657-6799
Contact Us:
Light a Candle for Literacy Foundation
Geneva Hayden, Executive Director
P.O. Box 339
(315) 475-0812
