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January, 2010
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TH News Editor
April Moore and Vera Clark know the importance of literacy. Both professional educators, Vera has written the book “Teach Me to Read English in 100 Easy Lessons,” and April, an assistant principal at Corona High School have been instrumental in the establishment of Elsinore First Assistance Center, a new non profit in the community.
This non-profit has as its mission of “meeting the needs of individuals, families and communities by providing services and assistance to strengthen the total person physically, socially and emotionally.”
According to April, 31, it’s an ambitious endeavor and her husband Ken, of 12 years supports her involvement with the project.
Vera is a former Tuscany Hills resident and has worked in the local schools teaching. Her passion however, is in the field of teaching and helping adults become fluent and literate in English. Her book is a phonics-based step-by-step guide to help people of all ages learn to read English. her book can be used by parents working at home with children in learning how to sound out letters and words and how to read complete sentences. There is no training needed to use this hands-on book all in the one volume and has simple, quick directions for all ages from a child to a grown-up.
According to April, using Vera’s book makes learning easy and fun. “She is very aware of how important it is for children and parents to communicate and not to be embarrassed or afraid of asking for help when it comes to learning to read, or speak English better,” she says. and because of Vera’s book and April’s expertise, the two felt the Elsinore First Assistance Center was something they could embrace and be actively a part of promoting. The EFAC is currently being held at the Elsinore First Assembly of God Church because the church “has a true heart” for helping the community, April says. She stresses this is not a religious endeavor but rather a service to individuals throughout the area in helping families see the importance of education.
April is the chairperson of the advisory board, and the secretary of the EFAC corporation as they seek to complete all the requirements of becoming a 501 3(c) non-profit group.
Three local educators, Diana Vera a counselor at Lakeside high, Chris Ulrich from Perris district and Adria Galarza from the local First Five Project are some of the locals already working to get the project up and running.
April was a literacy coordinator for the San Bernardino County Office of Education and wrote several grants or assisted school districts with grant writing projects before going to Corona High School. Because of her involvement in literacy and seeing reading a the fundamental key to all learning, she is well aware of the need for adult literacy. She points out that this problem of adult literacy has a variety of pieces, including those who know no English or limited English, to those who have dyslexia or scotopic sensitivity situations.
April, a product of home schooling, earned her B.A. from Vanguard University, her M.A, in instructional technology from Chapman University is completing her doctorate at USC which will be in urban leadership. She stresses that using education and all it offers to anyone is something of value no one can take away. Learning to learn makes most people hungry to know more, she says.
Along with Vera and the others involved in the EFAC project, April is hoping to get more people involved in seeing what an educational non-profit can provide to the community. They are currently looking for partnering agreements with various educational groups because, as April points out, “the more help we have, the better job we can do for all those needing help.” The EFAC has been functioning in limited fashion for the past year and a half. While everything so far is at the church, they were part of an abstinence rally this past September held in nearby Santa Ana where 500 young people participated.
During the tax season, they have a program that provides free filing online preparation and e-filing for taxpayers with an adjusted gross income of $56,000 or less. The group has made good use of the computer room at the church for after school and summer computer programs. All of the group’s services are free and have recruited volunteers using flyers and word of mouth.
Even Senior citizens are taking advantage of the program in learning about how to use the internet safely, April adds.
With the group’s website up and running, they are gathering information on area resources that can benefit from an affiliation with EFAC. The website is elsinorefac.org.
Those interested in learning more about the tutoring program can participated in the Cornerstone Church workshop that will be held on Weds., January 27 at 6:30 p.m. that will be open to area residents.
April and Ken and their two golden retrievers, Jack and Lizzy have made Tuscany Hills their home for the past three years. Moving here in May of 2006, April wanted to be close to family. Ken is involved in information technology and works out of the couple’s home and at various company sites when required. They both say that living in Tuscany Hills is like “living in an oasis.” April says whenever she makes the turn off the freeway and starts up the hill, it is like coming to another world where the neighbors are friendly and look out for one another.
Ken says he enjoys being able to walk the dogs and interact with others walking on the Tuscany streets. A scuba diver and water enthusiast, he is a dive master and belongs to a dive club based in Temecula. ‘We love to go to Cabo, but any place with a beach is great, especially when we can take the dogs,” he adds.
Neither April of Ken have a lot of free time, but both say what time they have to spare is spent enjoying family and the two furry friends that “are our kids.”
April encourages anyone of her Tuscany Hills neighbors wishing more information on EFAC to give her a call at 951-830-8584
