Newlin Literacy Project (NLP), formerly Augustine Literacy Project (ALP)
Holy Comforter and Newlin Elementary School initiated a one-on-one tutoring program for second graders in 2012, born of a common vision to enable more students to become competent and resilient readers. While the first batch of tutors were parishioners, the program expanded to include well-trained tutors coming from across the community.
ALP-Burlington started as a replication chapter in 2012, paying dues to and buying all curriculum materials from the founding chapter, ALP-Triangle of Chapel Hill, and following its training regimen. The mission of the Augustine Literacy Project has been to train and support volunteer tutors who provide free, long-term, one-on-one instruction to improve the literacy skills of economically disadvantaged children. The Newlin Partnership focused on one Title I elementary school, Newlin Elementary School. Larry Conte, Newlin principal for 12 years, provided leadership and support that were key to the creation and success of the Newlin Partnership. Upon his retirement in 2022, Liz Fogleman provided leadership for one year, followed in the 2023-24 school year by Will Price who championed the programs and the Newlin Elementary/Newlin Partnership connection.
In 2021 the ALP-Burlington program gained independent status and no longer had a legal connection with its former founding group in Chapel Hill, freeing it for possible changes in curriculum, name, and mission statement. In June, 2024, the Newlin Partnership Board of Directors voted to change the program name to the Newlin Literacy Project (NLP) to reflect the long-time focus on one school, Newlin Elementary School. The Board selected the following mission statement: “Help Newlin students become good readers.”
From its inception in 2012, leadership of the ALP-Burlington program was provided by Betsey Savage, and a part-time Administrative Assistant, Shelby Cheek, who served 4 years from 2018-2022. In April 2023 Mindy Robinson was hired as a part-time Administrative Director for the Newlin Partnership. Betsey was supported by a steering committee of 4-5 tutors who met weekly to offer guidance. After Betsey’s retirement in May 2023, the steering committee continued its role of providing leadership for ALP.
To ensure that tutors feel confident and have the skills to tutor their students, training is an essential component of the program. For many years new tutors have met in September for 10 days of training, later shortened to a four-day intensive session. Tutors also have met monthly for a “Lunch & Learn” for further training.
When the pandemic hit in 2020 and schools closed, tutors met on Zoom to continue these learning sessions. Tutoring resumed in spring of 2022 with a new curriculum for first graders. Annual data analysis indicates that tutors have made a difference in student reading growth.
Lucky Listeners
With a similar focus on outreach ministry, in 2012 Holy Comforter initiated a Lucky Listeners program “to promote self-confidence and growth in reading skills for students in grades 1-4.” Community volunteers provided a “reading buddy” who listened to the student read aloud. While the idea for Lucky Listeners was sparked initially by a Newlin teacher, Lynn Dahl soon stepped into the director’s spot, followed by Martha Ann Rabon, until the pandemic effectively closed the program when the schools shut their doors. In January, 2024, Susan and Lee Kern revitalized the program that now targets second graders. The Science of Reading has demonstrated that young readers benefit from practice in reading out loud. Lucky Listeners provide additional opportunities for Newlin readers to practice their reading skills.
The NP Backpack Program
Another program developed by the Newlin Partnership is the Backpack Food Program. Originally started by Holy Comforter as a pilot project with 10 students in the spring of 2013, the program has grown to provide weekend meals for 75 food insecure students in 2024. In the fall of 2020, First Wesleyan Church of Burlington started providing backpack food for 15 of those students. The program has been supported by individual and business donors, church fundraisers, and grants. The food is purchased from Second Harvest Food Bank of NW North Carolina, which includes Alamance County. Then and now, about 95% of Newlin students are eligible (as defined by Federal low income standards) for weekday breakfast and lunch.
Helping Hands
The Newlin Partnership’s Helping Hands program has helped students and teachers in various ways since 2013. Teachers have reached out with requests and have received help when children needed winter coats, refreshments and items for classroom events, and money for field trips to name a few of the ways the Partnership responded to identified needs. The program also supports teacher appreciation events, provides monthly duty-free lunch time for teachers, and contributes classroom supplies.
Camp Newlin
A free, week-long enrichment camp, started in 2014 and led by Molly Exum, provided fun activities each summer for Newlin rising third graders. The campers enjoyed field trips to places like May Memorial Library, Morehead Planetarium, Hanging Rock and Eno River State Parks, and the Children’s Museum. These activities were combined with literacy games, crafts, and lots of good food. Middle and high school students served as counselors and learned leadership skills and the importance of caring as they worked one-on-one with their students. The activities, the attention and the good food offered every day made Camp Newlin a very special place and often the highlight of the campers’ summers. Camp Newlin closed with the advent of the pandemic.