I was taking preparatory classes with the Red Cross to go and volunteer some time in Puerto Rico due to the disaster Hurricane George did.
        On November 6, 1998 at 1:00 a.m. between Valencia and 17th Streets, a warehouse caught on fire which burned to the ground. Next to the warehouse was an apartment building which caught on fire. There were 10 families that became homeless. I arrived at MCAASS (Mission Council Counseling Center) at 6 a.m., which is located next to the Red Cross. I was informed by Jesse Valencia (director) what had happened.
        I began assisting the now homeless families. I helped unload blankets, clothes, diapers, etc. One room was donated by MCAASS to the Red Cross for temporary shelter for some of the families. Eventually, they were given vouchers to stay in a hotel, food, clothing, and medical assistance. I have continued volunteering my time to the Red Cross to help these families who were victims of the fire and who continuously contact the Red Cross for additional support.
        MCAASS also collaborated on the collection of items that were needed for hurricane victims in Central America.

Hi, my name is Christine and my tutor's name is Laurie. One day I was reading a book I got from Project Read and some words I came across in that book called Viewpoints were very inspirational words to me. The author's name is Anthony Walton and the story is called "Friend or Father." Anthony Walton said, "By being realistic about our goals, we increase our chances of success in the long run. Anything we do is going to be hard, and if it isn't hard, it's going to be difficult, but that just means it's going to take us a little longer."
        I came to Project Read in March 1998. Laurie and I meet every Wednesday. I came to the Project Read program because I needed help with my reading and spelling. One day I was reading a book to my son and some words in that book I didn't know, so I felt that I needed help. Since that time, I began coming to the Project Read program. I've learned to write letters better than before and to spell some words I didn't know before and I feel good about myself because I'm really learning thanks to the Project Read program.
        The Project Read program is really helping people like myself to learn. My goal is to get my GED and with the help of my tutor and studying hard I know I will succeed. Thank you Project Read.

Prayer by Iris Barnett

I start out my day by praying. I pray for myself as well as others and I also read scriptures in the Bible and they help me along the way. I come up on situations where I do not know what to do. I seek divine aid for God to help me. I pray for my daughters. For example, when I'm not with them, I pray to God that He will watch over them and no harm will come to them and they will come home safely. I pray for them to listen and to respect themselves and others. Thank you God.

As some of you know, in the late part of November and the early part of December, Project Read sponsored four classes on Preparing For Public Speaking, which is also the title of the course.
        Toastmasters International hosted the classes. Materials for the classes came from Toastmasters' Success Communication Series.
        The class consisted of about ten people. There were the toastmaster, learners and tutors. All the learners got to do three speeches and two evaluations. The courses helped me to have more confidence when I speak in front of a group of people. It also showed me how to evaluate someone's speech in a caring and supportive way.
        I would like to thank Project Read for the opportunity to participate in this course. I really enjoyed myself. Hope to be in the next one.

The word is because. By using the tape recorder, you say the word in the tape recorder and then you pause for ten seconds, and then you spell the word. I learned from a school that helps people learn how to read and write and helps them get a job.

Heavenly Reno by Eileen Brown
We took the Greyhound to Reno.
We ate at a buffet for breakfast.
We saw a lot of animals and trees.
When we got home we were sleepy.
We lost a lot of money.
We played a lot of slot machines.
We stayed at a motel in Reno.
We went up to Reno for his birthday.
We had fun in Reno.

Reading by Adam Thompson

Reading is so much fun
Reading is so much fun
Books are good
Books can help
Books will help
It opens your mind to new things
Bright things
Lovely things
Sweet things
I'm so happy I can read

George Washington Carver is a famous black man who discovered 325 different things out of peanuts. He was born around 1864. He wanted to learn about nature. He went to high school and to college. He learned about plants and did experiments with plants. He became a teacher at Tuskegee Institute and found better ways for farmers to grow their crops. He also would travel around with his equipment showing black Americans how to grow their crops and teaching them better agriculture. He studied diseases of plants and found ways to make them resistant. He is highly recognized in society and honored.

A Tutor Named Virginia by Damon

My experience with Projet Read started one starry night a year ago. All I wanted to do was write a letter to express my feelings. Have you ever wanted to do something so bad that it made you cry? I wanted to learn how to write so bad but I didn't know where to start. I tried to find the words but they didn't come out right. That's when I looked up in the sky at all the beautiful stars. There was one star shining brighter than all the rest. So I decided to make a wish. I wished there was a place where I could go! Where people understood my problems and could help me. I really didn't believe wishes came true, but mine did when I met my tutor.

She came in my life like a shining star; shining on me, giving me strength, wisdom and knowledge; making me an all around better person. I depend on her for so many different things, like help, guidance and good common sense. I knew not to get too attached because this shining star was not my possession, that one day it wouldn't shine for me anymore. That's why I enjoyed all of our meetings and tried to learn everything she was teaching. I appreciate her company and companionship. I will always cherish it. I know that I don't write as well as I would like. But I do know with the time and the efforts that she put in to teaching me, and the gifts she gave me, I have no choice but to prevail and be all that I can be. When I become all that, I will look up in the sky at night and say twinkle twinkle little star wherefore are you?

Around a year and a half ago I realized that I had to do something about my reading and writing skills. They were very poor. I had to do something about them. I met my tutor through Project Read. At the time I was taking some classes at the Adult Learning Center. During the course of the year they asked me if I was interested in having a tutor. I told them yes and in a couple of weeks I had a tutor from Project Read. I told her the problem I was having with my reading and writing. I was scared to read out loud because I could not make out the big words. My tutor made me read books and newspapers out loud to her. It made me better in class. She advised me to go to Project Read because they had a lot of things that could improve my reading and writing. I learned to read and write better there by using their computers, dictionaries and educational CDs. I met two cool lab assistants in the computer room. Their names are Ralph and Leon. They are really helpful and make you feel confident. That encouraged me to go to City College. I enrolled in two English classes and my tutor helps me with my homework every Thursday.

I feel real confident about my reading and writing now but at the same time I have my ups and downs. That just encourages me to work harder. I know I've come a long way but still got ways to go

Music
by Iris Barnett

My favorite kind of music was jazz until I got converted. And now it's religious music. My favorite singer is Mahalia Jackson. And I added a few more: Rita--she is my niece. My niece has a nice voice. And Sister Stricklin and Avis, her daughter. By the way, I like the whole choir.

I started working at Lilli Ann maybe around April of 1949. I joined the International Ladies Garment Workers Union in September of 1949 as a floor lady. My job was getting work and thread to the operators and also making sure that they did the sewing right.
        At that time Lilli Ann was on Market in between 5th and 6th. Lilli Ann has changed a lot from when I first started in 1949. The sewing machines were all together like one big shaft. There were about 20 machines, each had one facing it. When one machine needed repairs, all 20 machines had to stop. All the operators on the machines had to wait until that machine was repaired or if it needed a new belt. The belt had to be changed for a new one.
        Lilli Ann's garments become well known and very expensive. We made beautiful suits and beautiful coats.
        In about 1952 or maybe 1953, Lilli Ann Co. moved to 16th and Treat. It was a much bigger factory. It had three floors. The sewing machines were not in one big shaft. Each machine was by itself. There were two short tables or bench-like things on each side of the machines so we could put the big bundle of suits or coats on them. Each operator did his own job. Some operators just did darts on the fronts of the suit and we would give these operators many bundles of fronts. Some operators just did darts on the back so we would give them many bundles of backs. Each bundle of parts_fronts, backs and sleeves_were sewed and pressed before the fronts were matched with the backs and the sides sewed up. Then the sleeves were matched with the garments and the sleeves were sewed in. It then went to be pressed by iron and then to the big press.
        We had layoff time when the samples were being made, and that was twice a year. We got unemployment when we were laid off for samples. A very small group of people stayed to make the samples. Of course, I tried to get the time off so I could do my spring house cleaning. Sometimes after the layoff our boss would have a luncheon and a fashion show with a gift for us before we went back to work. The people who worked at Lilli Ann were just like one big happy family. We were all happy to see each other.
        I really miss Lilli Ann very much. I worked for them for thirteen years.

A Tree Planted by M. M.

My life is like a tree planted by the water
Spread across solid firm, straight
Stretch from side to side
When I think of trees
I think of myself
Growing in the Lord's work.

It's a Saturday morning. I decided to go to the farmer's market. What did I do that for? I really wanted to because I wanted to buy some vegetables. The rain started to come down on me. I got wet. I bought them anyway.

Bernito Juarez, a Mexican president, once said, "El respeto a el derecho hajeno es la paz." (Respecting the rights of others makes for peace.) The statement is so profound that it was preserved by the Mexican people and put into practice in their everyday life. It was the basis of their laws. It was taught at schools in order to put in the heart of the new generations. It was intended to be part of Mexican culture. If people would abide by it, the world would be a much better place to live in.

Back Down Memory Lane
by Anthony Shedd

I'm another brother that speaks the truth
I got the proof on how you used to treat us
Back in the days beat us down AND called us slaves
Well I tell you what the brothers are coming
Up without a doubt crime is what you shout
But you pinned us up against the trees and made
Us stout now it's all about playing the game
The brothers in the world today
Is showing no shame it's a new day it's payday
The clouds are gone the sun is shining now
You out there whining because we learn
How to tax that ass and put a cease
On the snake that's crawling in the grass
And make a little cash so I'm dealing
Willing to make a stand for the brother
Man you know what I'm saying we have
To fight the power we have to break the
Chains we have to release the pain so
Understand my pain the name
Of this speech is back down
Memory lane but this is the 90's
And things still remain the same
But the brothers oh yeah the brothers
Keep pushing like motor boats washing
People off like a bar of soap and hip hopping
To a new song yes people the thrill is gone
So roll over the brothers are coming up like
A four leaf clover we have been put into
The pot now we are hotter than hot and
We can't stop until we untie the knot so
Look what you have to deal with the
Brothers can't quit so put the spit back
Into your mouth ANTHONY NOT ralph
That cooks and cleans and screams
When he's tied down I go round for
Round and pound for pound so
Understand my pain the name of this
Speech is back down memory lane
Now don't get mad because I cut the
Cake I'm not full of hate I'm just
Setting you straight the brothers are
Getting tired of the silver gate and
A meal with no plate so take a
Little time take your cheap bottle of
Wine off your shelf it's not good to
Want everything for yourself .
IT'S ONE MORE THING THAT I WOULD
LIKE TO SAY WHO'S THE MAN
BEHIND THE LIMO TINT LET'S BRING
ON THE BLACK PRESIDENT.

You can't relive yesterday but you
Can live today hope and pray for
Tomorrow so free your mind from
Yesterday love today and everything
Will be ok every minute every hour
Treasure life's power of love that blows
Mountain and flows though the sea
So free your mind from yesterday and
Enjoy today sunny or gray and everything
Will be okay
 

 

Living on the Charles by Bennei M. Blanchard, III

Most people have a love and hate relationship with the place where they were born. Some of us can't wait to grow up and move away. Others may never take the chance to move away. I am one of those who moved to San Francisco and I like it whole lot. But I sometimes feel my hometown calling to me to come back. And often I don't know what to do about it. I guess you can say I'm a man torn between two cities.
        Now I would like to give you, the reader, a chance to see my hometown through my eyes. I am from a town that has a nickname: "Bean Town". How or why it got this name I don't know, but I think it has something to do with baked beans. Its real name is Boston. In the photo you will see one of Boston's skylines. This is a view looking from the Cambridge side of the Charles River, between the Charles Street and the Massachusetts Avenue bridges. This area is known as "The Esplanade". Yes! The same place where the Boston Pops Orchestra plays on the Fourth of July and where I used to roller skate a lot in the summer.
        Also in this photo you will see two tall skyscrapers. To the left of the left tower is one of Boston's first skyscrapers, the small Hancock Building. The tower is the Hancock Tower. To the right of the tower is the Copley Plaza Hotel. Continuing to the right is the Dunfey Hotel. The building with its tower on the right is the Prudential Center, and the Sheraton Hotel is further to the right.
        When I was a small boy I would ride on the subway system called Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority (MBTA or The `T') all over Boston: such places as Fenway Park, Nathanial Hall, East Boston, South Boston, the Airport, and the Boston waterfront. In some of these endeavors on the MBTA I would find myself on the campuses of colleges and universities, such as Northeastern, Boston University, Harvard, MIT, Brandeis, and University of Massachusetts. I consider myself pretty lucky to have traveled so much at that young age because, with the race wars going on, it was pretty hard for a black person to do this. It has been said that Boston is racially challenged. I myself have experienced very little of that, and have been very lucky.
        So, in the end, I guess that I am glad to be a San Francisco Bostonian.