The 2010 Summer Literacy Festival Wrap Up

A young boy shows off his creation (with help from his mom) at Alphabet Soup

YWCA of Queens' 2010 Summer Literacy Festival brought together over 300 children, youth and family members from all over Queens on Saturday, August 7th, to raise awareness and interest in reading and writing. The day kicked off with a special greeting from Councilmember Peter Koo, who emphasized the importance of staying engaged in books, especially during the summer months. The festival was jam-packed with different activities for youth to participate. For the Alphabet Soup activity, kids used different crafts to construct their name in a creative way. The puppet show entertained children with stories like "Little Red Riding Hood" and Senator Toby Ann Stavisky captivated eager listeners with her rendition of "The True Story of the Three Little Pigs."

Story time with Senator Toby Ann Stavisky

During the popular Spelling Bee event, contestants came prepared and determined to win. In fact, contestants knew words so well that the moderator nearly ran out of words! The brand new competition Teen Jeopardy allowed youth to imagine being on the famous game show and answer trivia questions pertaining to categories such as geography, science, famous people and U.S. history. For Speak Easy, another new contest, participants tapped their creative sides to express what women empowerment or environmental sustainability meant to them. Performances ranged from speeches to poems to even a rap! Needless to say... the judges had an extremely difficult time selecting the winners.

Summer Literacy Festival Winners with attorney Carolym Im and NY1 reporter Michelle Park

"It is always so encouraging to see our community's youth come out and share with us in the celebration of literacy and the joy of reading," said Moo Young Kim, coordinator of the Summer Literacy Festival. "We look forward to our event next summer with even more activities and exciting games!"

The Summer Literacy Festival was made possible by the generous contributions of HSBC Bank.

Staff and volunteers show off their Y pride!

Summer Literacy Festival

The Summer Literacy Festival is back with some familiar and new competitions for family fun such as the annual Spelling Bee, Story Time, Teen Jeopardy, Alphabet Soup, Family Sing-A-Long, Speak Easy and a Live Puppet Show. For the Spelling Bee, Speak Easy and Teen Jeopardy competitions, participants have a shot at winning Barnes & Noble and Target gift cards valued up to $100.

This year's special guests include Senator Toby Ann Stavisky (who will read during Story Time) and Michelle Park, reporter for NY1 News.

The event is free, so come by and join us in celebrating literacy and the summer!

When: August 7, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Where: 4207 Parsons Blvd.
Includes: Free food, week long Scholastic book fair, clowns and face painting!

**Proof of grade level is required for Spelling Bee, Jeopardy and Speak Easy. Participants must be entering grade levels in September 2010. Space is limited. Registration ends 5 p.m. August 4, 2010. The Jeopardy Q&A and Spelling Bee word list will be available August 3.

Required documents for registration available:
In person: 42-07 Parsons Blvd Flushing, NY 11355
By fax: 718.353.4044 (Confirmation call required)
By email: mykim@ywcaqueens.org

All inquiries, including volunteering, should be directed to Moo Young Kim at 718.353.4553 x17 or mykim@ywcaqueens.org

New Board President

Chung Sook Park was elected last Thursday by the YWCA of Queens Board of Directors to serve as the organization's 18th board president. Jennifer Kang, Sunjae Oh, and Christina Choi were elected as the vice presidents. The new term officially begins on September 1, 2010 and ends on August 31, 2012.

Mrs. Park has been on the board of YWCA of Queens since 1984. She served as the 11th and 12th board president from 1996 to 2000 and served in many other important roles such as the chair of YWCA of Queens' Independence Committee, Building Committee and Gala Committee, as well as the leader of the Mother's Choir team. Mrs. Park is also an ardent supporter of the New York Music Competition for youth, Evergreen School for seniors and many other programs and services at YWCA of Queens that benefit local community members of all ages. Furthering emphasizing her dedication to the organization, every Tuesday she helps cook lunch for Evergreen School members. Her quiet yet relentless action and services make the YWCA's volunteerism vividly alive and inspirational.

Kumbok Kaye Min, the 16th and 17th board president whose term started on September 1, 2006, will finish her tenure as president until August 31, 2010. YWCA of Queens' bylaws regulates that the board officers shall be elected by the board to serve for a term of two years, and may serve two consecutive terms of office.

Summer Day Camp Fun

Last week campers embarked on this year's YWCA of Queens Summer Day Camp for a summer full of exciting and enriching experiences. Campers have already made many new friends, played interactive games and participated in challenging, yet engaging activities. The YWCA and its campers look forward to a fun-packed summer!

Mark the Date - Summer Literacy Festival - August 7, 2010

Sponsored by HSBC

The Summer Literacy Festival is back with some familiar and new competitions for family fun such as the annual Spelling Bee, Story Time, Teen Jeopardy, Alphabet Soup, Family Sing-A-Long, Speak Easy and a Live Puppet Show. For the Spelling Bee. Speak Easy and Teen Jeopardy competitions, participants have a shot at winning Barnes & Noble or Target giftcards valued up to $100.

This year's special guests include Senator Toby Ann Stavisky (who will read during Story Time) and Michelle Park, anchor for NY1 News.

The event is free, some come by and join us in celebrating literacy and the summer!

When: August 7, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Where: 4207 Parsons Blvd.
Includes: Free food, week long Scholastic book fair, clowns and face painting!

**Proof of grade level is required for Spelling Bee and Jeopardy. Participants must be entering grade levels in September 2010. Space is limited. Pre-registration begins Friday, July 9, 2010 until 5 p.m. August 4, 2010. Answers and word list available Aug. 3.

Required documents for registration available:

In person: 42-07 Parsons Blvd Flushing, NY 11355

By fax: 718.353.4044 (Confirmation call required)

By email: mykim@ywcaqueens.org

All inquiries, including volunteering, should be directed to Moo Young Kim at 718.353.4553 x17 or mykim@ywcaqueens.org

New Van in Action!

The Hyde and Watson Foundation and an anonymous donor provided YWCA of Queens with two grants that allowed the organization to purchase a brand new, spacious van. With the van, After School and Summer Day Camp participants can be picked up from various schools and locations around the community in a safe and convenient environment. The van will also be used for various program fieldtrips.

Send us a friendly honk if you see us cruising by!

Moving Up

Congratulations to the youth participants of our GED/Workforce Development program who achieved academic and professional excellence!

Nine students recently received their GED certification and two have obtained jobs. 15 students also received the National Retail Federation (NRF) certificate that recognizes the knowledge and critical skills recipients must have in order to succeed in the retail industry.

Students have access to a wider range of opportunities with GED and NRF certification and are ready to tackle the workforce or higher education. YWCA of Queens staff and participants celebrated these achievements with a Moving Upward party and we look forward to hearing of their future successes!

Also, visit the youth participants' blog to see what they're up to:

http://ywcaofqueens.ning.com/