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BLUEGRASS LITERACY is a non profit Adult Literacy Provider (age 15 +) in central Kentucky. The program offers FREE ABE (Adult Basic -low level reader) support, GED Study Skills Instruction, and English Classes for English as a Second Language Students in Lexington and several adjacent communities. Via its LITERACY BLOOMS PROJECTS the program offers a number of Service Learning options that mentor adults that need to expand or aquire new or improved skills to advance in their daily lives. (Wholesome Table is a series of sessions that help refugee and other women learn to better keep a healthy safe kitchen and shop,prep, and cook local foods within their family resources (contact Virginia 231 7099). The Pincushion Project is a women's sewing program that offers free sewing classes and a variety of art and fabric activities for teens/women (contact Elaine

559-8030. LITERACY BLOOMS also provides summer literacy camps in June/July each year for child/youth and will support a Puppet Project in the spring/summer 2010 within the community to encouage literacy experiences for all ages.

Bluegrass Literacy works with a number of affiliate programs in the area and has over 40 outreach sites where it offers classes and other program activities. Some affiliates include: Goodwill Industries, The Living Arts and Science Center, Cardinal Crossings Community Center, Outreach with The Lexington Public Library, The LIGHTHOUSE, Central Christian Church, The Lexington Episcopal Diocese -Mission House, Knight Foundation via Bluegrass Community Foundation, KY Farm Managers, KY Women's Foundation, Pro Literacy, VALUE-Voice of Adult Learners United for Education, 5th Third Bank, KY Refugee Ministries, several domestic and social service sites, and a number of Thoroughbred Farms and local businesses. The program is a member of The Carnegie Center VISTA Network.

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CONGRATS to Lisa C. Howard
The winner of Bluegrass Literacy/Voices for Peace & Justice Writing Contest.

                          War and Roses by Lisa Howard

Mother's mother worked the family's farm
While her brothers fought the first great war in France.
Later, she grew roses for remembrance
And saw her children enlist to fight the next great war.

Mother nursed soldiers in the South Pacific
They looked like my brothers, she said.
Her final posting was outside the Imperial Gardens
Of occupied Japan.
Did you see Japanese people, I asked.
Did you hate them?
I saw them, she said.
They had nothing.
They were starving.
We gave them our food.
They gave us roses.

Mother grew no roses, she did not want to remember
She raised children, and we raised our children.
Non of us went to war.

Finally, on a soundless TV
In a hospital waiting room,
I see those two glittering towers brought down.
Bleeding in the brain, the doctors say,
Inflammation, her body fighting itself.
Bitter ash billows.
Non-responsive, the doctors say.

Winter, and the park's rose gardens
Sprawl quietly in thin sunlight,
Preparing for spring's explosive blooming,
Mother's ashes drift over frost -tipped thorns.
Later, she will give us roses.

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Winter Spanish Classes with space for new students meet off Harrodsburg Rd on Monday evenings. (Beg-Advanced Level)

Contact Elaine 559-8030 to attend next Monday night and for directions.

We ask a $5 donation per session for Spanish Classes

Call 299 5982 or email spencer@qx.net

to register or get on waiting list for Spring /Summer Spanish Classes

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CHANGE A LIFE! Help an adult learn to read or speak better English!
Plan to attend the Next New Volunteer/Tutor Orientation.

Training is Free.

CONTACT : spencer@qx.net or 299 5982 to register for Winter Training Dates

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Current WISH LIST NEEDS:
binders for training materials

fabric & sewing notions

Sewing Machines

craft supplies for jewerly making or buttons, or feather, other kinds of craft supplies

paper craft color bits & pieces

copy paper

general office supplies

laptop that will support WORD and email needs

handicap access ramp built at one of our program centers

materials and volunteer help for Puppet Project Programming (including building a portable set, and making puppets