HELP US Grow Minds One Book at a Time (Please donate)
When you GIVE to the Literacy Coalition of Oswego County, (LCOC), you’re helping literacy services for everyone in our county from preschoolers to retirees.
Your gift helps us continue to connect those in-need of literacy support with the agencies and services that will help them. In addition, you’ll be ensuring that LCOC continues to offer countywide literacy events, like our annual READ event that brings a cavalcade of literacy resources and fun, informative interaction to our community.
You’ll also be supporting our community initiatives, like Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, gifting books to children from birth until their fifth birthday; and Read To Them, a program in which all Oswego County school districts provides a new book to each elementary school student under the “One School, One Book” program. We’ll also be introducing new initiatives in the months ahead.
Won’t you please keep these efforts vital and growing by making a tax-deductible donation to LCOC? We’re partners with the Weston T. Hyde Foundation, a 501( c ) 3 non-profit.
It’s easy! Click here!
If you prefer to send a check, payment should be made out to
“WTHOCEF” and mailed to: WTHOCEF, P.O. Box 3124, Oswego, NY 13126
Thank you for your ongoing support!
Mother Cabrini Health Foundation Awards Grants to "Read to Them'
Imagination Library- Making an Impact!
She has two children in the program. This is what she had to say about the impact Imagination Library has had on her family:
"Every time we receive a new book in the mail my children's faces light right up. They are so happy to get inside to read it together. Thank you everyone at Imagination library that made this possible! I also had told all of my mom friends about how incredible this program is." -Brittany
Please consider donating to Imagination Library to help keep this program in Oswego County! Our children are our future workforce!!!!
Meet LCOC President Paul Gugel
Where do you work, how long have you been there and what is your job title?
I work at the Center for Instruction Technology & Innovation (CiTi). I have worked at CiTi (known as Oswego BOCES when I started) for 32 years in a variety of capacities with CiTi’s Migrant Education Tutorial and Support Services (METS) program, one of 8 regional programs that provide supplemental academic and support services for children of migratory agricultural workers. Each year the METS provide services to approximately 550 students (ages 3 to 21) in its service region of Oswego, Jefferson, Lewis and Wayne Counties. I started with CiTi as a tutor with the METS in 1990 and worked as an adolescent specialist, ESL tutor, and migrant specialist.
Why did you become involved in LCOC?
I joined because I wanted to get the word out about the METS program and also wanted to know more about the literacy services in the county. I was especially happy to be a member of LCOC when I began working as CiTi’s Director of Adult Education in 2011 because it put me in regular contact with so many people and organizations that could provide support for students in our adult education programs. It was great to be part of a larger community looking to promote the importance of literacy and education.
What are you most proud of as a member of LCOC?
Overall, I am most proud of the dedication of LCOC’s members, some of whom have been championing the cause of improving literacy in Oswego County for many years during their retirement. It is really motivating to see their ongoing commitment to children and families! In terms of LCOC projects, I am most proud of LCOC being instrumental in partnering with the United Way to bring Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library to Oswego County. This amazing program, which mails a book monthly to each child in the program from birth to age 5, has served over 4,000 children in Oswego County is now reaching over 43% of all children (ages 0-5) in the county.
What would you like to see next for LCOC?
In the short run one thing that I would like to see next for LCOC is to help create a permanent funding stream for Imagination Library, which is currently funded by a 5-year grant. On a broader level I would like to see more widespread participation in LCOC by organizations and individuals throughout the county. In terms of helping individuals and families move forward, I would love to see LCOC focus on strengthening services in 3 areas: early literacy and childcare, family literacy, and adult literacy and career training programs that lead to stable employment.
What's the title of the last book you read?
“The Extraordinary Life of Sam Hell” by Robert Dugoni. I highly recommend it!
What brings you joy?
Professionally, I receive a lot of joy working with the parents in the Migrant Education Program. I love seeing their commitment to their family and to their children’s education and knowing that our program staff has been able to play a small role in helping them move forward towards achieving their goals. Personally, it brings me a lot of joy when my adult children, who now live out of state, are able to come home. Within minutes, it’s like they never left!
Where can you find us?
Visit our website at: https://www.literacycoalitionofoswegocounty.com/
