Guest Blog!!

From Dr. Mercer and his blog, Leadership Notes:

Coming To America-- April 12, 2013

Last evening, with thunder clouds rolling in outside, seven area families were recognized at a dinner at the Upstate Family Resource Center for bringing a foreign exchange student into their homes this year. In collaboration with the EF Foundation, the UFRC facilitated the exchange. The Foundation, a family-owned non-profit whose mission is to break down barriers of language and culture through education and travel, was represented by Bob Fredette who flew in from Boston for the event.
The students have been here since this past summer and are from Sweden, Norway, Finland, Germany, South Korea, Italy and Spain. Three are enrolled at Boiling Springs High, two at Chesnee High and one each at Byrnes and Landrum. They have truly been immersed in American culture, and they have given us a glimpse of life from their homelands.They have learned about Krispy Kreme donuts, neighborhood ice cream trucks, peanut butter, Chick-Fil-A, high school football and school spirit, NASCAR, and Wal-Mart. They have been to Sliding Rock and Grandfather Mountain, the Grand Canyon, New York City, and Las Vegas. Some have learned to water ski or have participated in our athletic programs and pageants.
The host parents offered some insight and related some truly insightful comments. One said, "Since she came there have been tons of laughter in our house." Another stated, "Our daughter wanted an exchange student for her birthday. We are now as close as any of our children are." "He has been a blessing from God." "An eye opener in how they live their lives compared to how we live ours." "Not for the faint of heart; it's not easy, but oh the joy." One father said that he has learned, "No matter where you go in the world, teenage girls act the same."
Apparently there is quite a desire for students from around the world to visit America. Mr. Fredette said the Foundation gets 30,000 applicants each year which they narrow to 3,000. Host families may then go on-line to read profiles and letters from the potential students to find a match for their family. From the YouTube videos the students had put together, it seems they have truly embraced and enjoyed the year, as well.
If you have ever thought about hosting an international exchange student, give Kelley Ezell at the UFRC a call (864.578.1379), and she can tell you more about it. It also benefits the Center as the EF Foundation donated $7,000 in appreciation of the Center's involvement to help them find families.

Be a part of the Upstate Global Community

This was the inaugrial year for the partnership between the Upstate Family Resource Center and the EF Foundation, and what a wonderful year it has been!
Seven students from seven different countries came to our community to experience life in America and to share their culture as well.  It is safe to say that these teenagers have done more in this one school year than most teenagers do before adulthood.
The benefits are not only for the students--- their host families learn about a new culture first hand and gain a lasting friendship with the student and their families.

**don't miss the student videos at the bottom of this post**

Some of the exchange students had to opportunity to read to elementary school students

German exchange student, Marco, reads to Hendrix Elementary Students

Finnish exchange student, Reetta, reads to students at Boiling Springs Elementary School

 

Several students even created videos about their experiences--CHECK THESE OUT!
Iselin's video (voted best video by EF Foundation)
Francesca's video
Reetta's video
Marco's video


Interested in hosting a foreign exchange student next school year???   Call Kelley! 578-6013 For more information, visit the EF Foundation's website

Bi-Lo Helps Our 4 Legged Friends

PRESS RELEASE

BI-LO, LLC. | 208 BI-LO BLVD.   | GREENVILLE, SOUTH CAROLINA 29607 | (864)-213-2500

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Michelle Lisotto

BI-LO, LLC.

(423) 309-6424 (cell)

MichelleLisotto@sjp.com

BI-LO Teams with Shoppers to Stock Shelves with Pet Food at Local Food Banks
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (April 3, 2012)


— BI-LO is committed to helping the community and its customers receive the resources they need to care for the ones they love during tough financial times. BI-LO’s care extends beyond the reach of just individuals and family members to also include beloved household pets.

Beginning today through Tuesday, April 30, BI-LO will host its fourth annual PAWS "Feed the Love" campaign. "Feed the Love" is a pet food drive in which food donations go to local-area food banks for families in need to be able to provide food for the four-legged members of their families.

Shoppers can purchase a $5 bag of pet food with the MY BI-LO BONUSCARD, and the food will be picked up by or delivered to the store’s food bank partner. The bag contains a week’s worth of dry and canned packages of PAWS Premium, BI-LO’s own brand of high-quality, nutritional and affordably priced cat and dog food.

Nationally, approximately seven million pets are surrendered to shelters each year due to the inability of the owners to pay for food. Through "Feed the Love," BI-LO hopes to help reduce that number in its area. Since 2010, the campaign has provided more than 85 tons of pet food for families in need throughout BI-LO’s operating market.

"It is important to us that we provide opportunities such as this for our customers to assist members of their community who face the difficult decision of feeding themselves or their pets," said Mike Russell, category manager for BI-LO. "BI-LO cares about the wellbeing of our community, and ‘Feed the Love’ is about giving back to pets that also go hungry."

For every bag purchased, BI-LO customers will receive an additional 5 cents per gallon in fuelperks! Rewards, BI-LO’s program that saves customers money on gas just for buying groceries.

 

Father Finds Success with Family Solutions

Many families go through a difficult time with their teenage children.  Lack of effective communication, frustration, and negativity can put a strain on any parent/child relationship.  The following is a letter we received from a father who participated in the Family Solutions Program last year.  This family was struggling with many of the same issues other families struggle with.  They made the commitment to participate in the 10 week program and found they became a stronger, closer family.

 

I think this course has helped my family and me in several ways.  From dealing with communication issues to career planning for my children, the benefits of learning these fundamental skills far outweigh a lazy evening watching television at home on the couch.

The class that helped me the most was the one where we did the family challenge.  We had to construct a structure out of tooth picks and jelly candy.  The trick is that we couldn’t talk.  We struggled at first, but then prevailed.  Unfortunately, I had become so stressed at home that I couldn’t even enjoy playing a game with my kids.  This activity opened that back up to me and we now play board games a good bit.

The second skill that I really have picked up on was our communication.  Every night I actually look forward to talking about the kids' days with them.  Before it was a cursory question, as we walked in the door.  Now I make the point to listen to each thing they say and open them up to more topics.

My kids also learned a lot and still talk about the education segment and making money.  I think this may have opened their eyes for their future needs.

I will continue to use these new skills and training.  I hope I can make our family stronger and happier.

 

Interested in learning more about the Family Solutions Program?  A session is organizing now! Contact Liv Hayes, 578-6013.

Don't Miss!
For a fun cand easy way to connect with kids, click for a Conversation Generator!

 

Need Your GED? Read This!

There are some major changes coming to the GED exam January 1, 2014.  We thought it would be worth to share this article with you! As always, if you have any questions just give us a call!


CHANGES COMING FOR GED

Carolyn Thompson

The Associated Press

         BUFFALO, N.Y. — Adults who have begun working toward their GED are being urged to finish up this year, before the test for a high school equivalency diploma changes and they have to start all over.

GED Testing Service will introduce a new version of the test, given nationwide, on Jan. 1.

Developers say the first major changes since 2002 will align the test with the new Common Core curricula adopted by most states to increase college and career readiness. It also will shift test-taking from pencil and paper to computer.

 Joyce Monroe, 24, is feeling the pressure as she puts in dozens of hours in class every week at the Buffalo Educational Opportunity Center. Two practice tests showed she's ready for writing and science but needs slightly more work in math, along with social studies and language arts.

 "I'm really trying to get in before it changes. I'm so close," said Monroe, who said she left high school before graduating for family reasons and is trying to set an example for her 5-year-old daughter. "I don't want to start all over. That would make me want to drop GED like I did high school."

Those who administer the test have begun to alert the million or so adults who have passed some but not all of the five parts of the current test to complete the missing sections by Dec. 31. If not, their scores will expire and they'll have to begin again under the new program Jan. 1.

 "If they are in the pipeline, they need to get it done," said Dr. Danis Gehl, education director at the University at Buffalo's Educational Opportunity Center.

About 700,000 people take the GED exam yearly in the United States, said Armando Diaz, spokesman for Washington-based GED Testing Service, the trademarked test's creator.

 

 

Interested in getting your GED here at UFRC?

Day Classes are Monday through Thursday, 8:30am—12:30pm

Intakes for Day Classes are the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of every month at 8:30am (sharp)

Evening Classes are Monday and Thursday, 5:00pm—8:00pm

Intakes for Evening Classes are every Thursday at 5:00pm

 

Cost for classes (either time) is $25.00 for the school year.

 

An Old Friend

I'm old. Some people might say I am past my prime,  but I endure, I am familiar, and I am an old friend.

You might see me every day and not even notice me. But I am here. Enduring. Thriving.

Thriving? How could something old thrive? Because of people. People walk through my doors everyday looking for something. They could be looking for a place to connect with others or to learn something new. Old buildings thrive when people notice them.

My story began over 70 years ago, and many faces graced my halls. (Maybe yours did too?)  Seven years ago, I thought my story was going to end- I would be locked up/boarded up to one day be torn down and replaced with something new. Little did I know that seven years ago I would be changed into something new.

Sure, I missed the sounds of kids running through the halls. Sometimes I even think fondly of those who engraved their names into my wooden walls. But I would not change a thing.

I see people every day looking for a change. Looking for someone to care enough about them. I see faces of children, mothers and fathers, and those I remember from many years ago. They are all coming to see me.

I am thriving because of the things that are going on within my walls; Classes, counseling, ministering, teaching, music (I especially love the music), games, and more.
 
I am thriving because families are thriving. Thanks to the love of those around me- near and far.

I might be old, but I have found meaning and purpose.

I am the Upstate Family Resource Center. Come visit me.

 

UFRC Receives Grant from Dollar General Literacy Foundation

CONTACT: Kelley Ezell 864.578.69013 Kelley.ezell@spartanburg2.k12.sc.us

THE UPSTATE FAMILY RESOURCE CENTER RECEIVES $7,500 GRANT FROM THE DOLLAR GENERAL LITERACY FOUNDATION TO EXPAND PARTERNSHIP WITH SPARTANBURG COUNTY ADULT EDUCATION

Boiling Springs, SC – May 2012– The Upstate Family Resource Center received a $7,500 grant from the Dollar General Literacy Foundation. The grant will be used to expand evening adult education services provided via collaboration with Spartanburg County Adult Education. Kelley Ezell, Executive Director of the Center said “The need for these evening classes has been on our radar for a while. We are thrilled to collaborate with Dollar General to finally provide these much needed classes in our community.” With assistance from the Dollar General Literacy Foundation, Upstate Family Resource Center (UFRC) will expand its GED program to provide access during evening hours. 

Barriers to adult education during daytime hours prevent many adults in Spartanburg County from improving literacy rates, education, and family incomes. These barriers include lack of childcare, the need to work when employment is available, and the need to seek employment during daytime hours. The goal of this project is to expand access to GED instruction for persons experiencing barriers to attendance during daytime operating hours.

The Dollar General Literacy Foundation awards grants to organizations in communities served by Dollar General. The literacy grants support nonprofit organizations that provide literacy services such as adult basic education, GED preparation, English language acquisition or programs for youth who struggle with reading. For more information on the Dollar General Literacy Foundation and a complete list of grant recipients, visit www.dgliteracy.org.

About the Upstate Family Resource Center: The Upstate Family Resource Center’s mission is to help families thrive by providing educational opportunities, engaging activities and support services. The Center is located at 1850 Old Furnace Road in Boiling Springs, South Carolina. For more information please check out our website at www.upstatefrc.org

About the Dollar General Literacy Foundation: The Dollar General Literacy Foundation is proud to support initiatives that help others improve their lives through literacy and education. Since 1993, the Foundation has awarded more than $71.2 million in grants to nonprofit organizations, helping more than 4.1 million individuals take their first steps toward literacy, a general education diploma or English proficiency. To learn more about the Dollar General Literacy Foundation, visit www.dgliteracy.org.