In 2004, REACH for Literacy (Reading Education for Adults and CHildren) began programming at just a few school sites in the Garden Grove Unified School District.  Now, over five years later, REACH has expanded to ten sites serving Garden Grove, Santa Ana, and the surrounding area.  During the 2007-2008 school year, REACH has served 1,813 adults and children by providing free ESL classes and homework assistance.

These services just scratch the surface of the support provided to the community.  REACH has built partnerships with other agencies, such as Inside the Outdoors, to provide free family nature field trips that support language learning. A strong relationship with the Garden Grove Unified School District has allowed programs such as the 10 Educational Commandments and the Family Literacy Curriculum to be offered to REACH for Literacy’s Adult Students.

These programs educate parents on their children’s school experience and encourage them to be their child’s first educator. These partnerships have propelled REACH to help so many within our community to achieve lifelong success for themselves and their children.

Purpose:

REACH for Literacy is designed to teach beginning through intermediate English skills to non-native speakers, while also encouraging parents to become more involved in their child’s education.   We concern ourselves with empowering second language parents as the first and most important teachers and role models in their child’s life.

Goals:

• Provide basic language training for second language parents and their children.
• Offer homework assistance for K-8th grade children.
• Train parents in practical life and parenting skills.
• Facilitate interactive family language activities.
• Supply reference and reading books for the family's home.
• Educate parents on the importance of being involved in their children's education regardless of the language spoken in the home.
• Lessen the possibility of a language barrier forming between parent and child.

 
To accomplish the above-mentioned goals, students are grouped by proficiency level, and cooperative learning between students of different ability is also utilized when possible. A combination of textbooks, real-world materials, quality children's literature, and technology are used for the purposes of instruction.

For more information, please contact Susan Arias or Alexis Wall

For assistance in Spanish, please call 714-530-5399 ext. 18.

For assistance in Vietnamese, please call 714-530-5399 ext. 11.

Contact Us

IMPACT Office
12966 Euclid Avenue, Suite 150
Garden Grove, CA, USA, 92840
Telephone: (714) 530-5399
Fax: (714) 530-5031
E-mail: Susan Arias

Click here for map/directions

Child Component

• Offer homework assistance for K-8th children
• Supplement core-day instruction with fun literacy activities
• Inspire a love of literature in youth
• Prepare pre-school aged children to start kindergarten
   

Adult Component

• Provide basic ESL training

• Educate parents on the importance of being involved in their children’s education
• Train parents in practical life and parenting skills.
• Facilitate family language activities
• Supply reading books for the home
• Lessen the possibility of a language barrier between parents and children
   
   

For more information, please contact Susan Arias at 714-530-5399 ext. 18.

Santiago Family

One family impacted by the program is the Santiago family, students of REACH at Rosita Elementary.  In the true spirit of “family literacy,” Miguel and Concepcion bring with them their two amazing daughters, Brisa (age 8) and Melissa (age 5) every Tuesday and Thursday to give their family the many benefits of education.  The Santiagos stand as a shining example of the families REACH wishes to continually reach.

The Santiago family has made significant leaps and bounds since they first set foot in the classrooms.  Three years ago, Concepcion was in the beginning class, while her husband, Miguel was in the intermediate.  Brisa was shy and reserved, while Melissa barely spoke a word of English.  Today, both Concepcion and Miguel sit proudly in the advanced class, engaging in English conversations with their peers and their teacher.  They not only learn English, but also new ways of becoming more actively involved in their daughters’ education.  Brisa has opened up and freely socializes with all those around her.  Melissa now speaks both Spanish and English fluently.  In addition to attending classes together, the Santiago family participates in quarterly family literacy nights and family fieldtrips throughout the year. 

Miguel and Concepcion are also powerful advocates for the program, sharing their love and enthusiasm for REACH with their family and friends. They help bring new students to the program every year, as well as motivate the existing ones to progress through the different levels. They have also formed strong bonds with all their instructors and other members of the REACH staff, making them all a part of their daily lives.  The Santiago family is just one of many dedicated families that have grown tremendously in the program and continue to inspire others to do the same. 

“My wife and I are from Oaxaca, a small town in Mexico. We have been in America for 9 years.  My family and I have been to your program for 3 years.  We like this program because it has so many benefits. It has helped my wife and me with our English skills and has classes for our children.  They also help our oldest daughter with her homework.  Brisa and Melissa really enjoy making crafts with their friends. This program has helped me in many ways.  I speak English much better and the program is a place where I can meet new people and create new friends.  It also creates a safe environment for my children to play.  I would like the teachers to know how thankful we are that you all take time to help us learn.” - Miguel Santiago