¡Feliz Año Nuevo!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

ACLAMO Highlights 2024 and Welcomes 2025!

ACLAMO PARTNERS WITH PHILLY GIVES FOUNDATION

The Philadelphia Foundation, in partnership with the Lenfest Institute for Journalism and supported by a grant from the William Penn Foundation, in November of 2024, launched Philly Gives, a new philanthropic initiative. This community-driven fund aims to uplift and support essential nonprofits, like ACLAMO. Running from November 25, 2024, through January 31, 2025, the program spotlights ACLAMO as one of the selected nonprofits, which addresses the region’s most pressing needs, including affordable housing, food security, healthcare access, youth development, and workforce training.

“This initiative is a powerful opportunity for the community to come together and support organizations making a real difference,” said Pedro Ramos, President and CEO of Philadelphia Foundation. “Through this initiative, we aim to connect donors with community-centered nonprofits that are on the front lines of addressing some of our region’s most pressing needs. By supporting these organizations, we are all investing in a brighter, more resilient future for everyone in our communities.” This support will create great change for ACLAMO.

Our CEO and Executive Director, Nelly Jiménez-Arévalo feels that being in the Philly Gives Spotlight will have a tremendous impact on organizations like ACLAMO by not only providing essential funding, but also increasing exposure to potential donors, volunteers, and community partners. This initiative amplifies awareness of the critical needs within our community and allows us to share our mission with a wider audience.” Nelly also feels that the additional support will expand ACLAMO’s programs like our bilingual government application assistance, maternal health services, and educational initiatives for children, youth and families. Philly Gives will impact ACLAMO in wonderful, positive, and meaningful ways.

ACLAMO WELCOMES NEW

HEALTH AND WELLNESS FACILITY

And Multipurpose Area for All Programs

Featured photos: ACLAMO’s Mentoring teacher Lauren Dunoff shows off a Candy House while celebrating the Holiday Season having fun, decorating and making memoires with students.

A Smart Lady Who Inspires Student’s Education

ACLAMO celebrates a “Rockstar” teacher who leads the way with our Mentoring Program!

I am Lauren Dunoff, lead instructor for the 7th and 8th graders in ACLAMO’s after school mentoring program. My students call me ‘Miss Lauren’. I am grateful to do this meaningful work at ACLAMO where I strive to create an environment to facilitate learning, respect, creativity, and having fun! For the last 5 years, I was a program coordinator with another organization in Norristown and Phoenixville school districts. I have had the chance to work with middle school students in all three of the NASD middle schools, where I led programs in their classrooms. I enjoy a great rapport with this age group. 

In addition to homework support, we do many interesting projects in our classroom, especially STEAM activities. I have a background in the arts, graphic design specifically, but I’m also a crafter and can teach weaving, jewelry making, origami, and many other activities. I share the students’ love for science and technology learning as well. 

My journey that led me to ACLAMO has been one of connection and impact. I actually didn’t have a plan to become a teacher. I gained experience and insight working with newcomers in Norristown schools and was also a program director for a summer camp for children of immigrant families. My skills accelerated when I met a newcomer who needed to learn English and I decided to tutor him. I created the lessons for him to learn. My Spanish rapidly improved through the process and the experience taught me to be a teacher. He gave me those gifts. I realized that I loved tutoring English and proceeded to teach groups of kids at the Library. I taught some of the parents also. My background in graphic design makes me capable of creating clear, visually pleasing lesson plans and worksheets that have helped my students succeed. Because I am a Spanish learner I can empathize with their learning process and create helpful lessons. 

Connecting with the students is the highlight of my days. It’s always a feel-good moment when a student is excited to tell me that they got an A on a test, or a certificate at school. I am so proud of them, and that’s a wonderful feeling. Seeing their own confidence in themselves increase is a worthy achievement as well. Another opportunity I delight in is noticing when an English learner is improving their speaking, and to tell them they sound great. Their response is usually a smile as bright as the sun!

I want the kids to know that the future is theirs for the taking. That they can and should dream big. Every successful person, no matter their background, has had some help and support in their journey. And there are dozens of people right here at ACLAMO that care and want to support them to succeed. They are welcome to ask questions or ask for help. They don’t need to have a plan yet, all ideas are encouraged. 

I tell my students that they have a great impact on me. This is also true of the other staff and volunteers I work with. I appreciate learning from each of them about their experiences, different talents, and views on life. Students and I may connect for a short time or a longer one, and I strive to be a kind and positive support person in their corner. 

Sincerely,

Lauren Dunoff

Lauren supports the students in our S.T.E.A.M. focused Mentorship and Career Development program which caters to ESL youth from low-income households in first grade through eighth grade in the Norristown area. It’s through the dedication and hard work that our ACLAMO students have a chance to excel. It is also with donors like you, that our program has the tools it needs to cater to our students and thrive in S.T.E.A.M. activities– beyond the classroom walls. Students with the help of Miss Lauren, achieve success.

ACLAMO Helps The Philadelphia Community At the ALPHA

Health and Wellness Forum in the Kensington Section of Philly

ACLAMO was glad to contribute to the Health and Wellness forum hosted by and held at the beautiful Esperanza Health care facility in the Kensington section of Philly. The day consisted of many non-profits who could contribute their services and spread the information to their respective communities.

Since the pandemic, people have become more reliant in need of vaccine services. The workshop panel discussed the still, much needed, and overall importance of receiving not only the COVID-19 vaccine but many others, such as the HPV vaccine, which affects both males and females.

ACLAMO continues to lead the charge in vaccination efforts, ensuring the safety and well-being of our community. Despite the obstacles faced by our community, Montgomery County has one of the highest COVID vaccination rates in Pennsylvania at 80.28% and we are proud to say that we have the highest COVID vaccination rate amongst Latinos in Pennsylvania. This is due in no small part to ACLAMO’s consistent efforts to meet our community where they are, educate about vaccines, and host vaccination events.

The day ended with a delicious blend of Latino food and drink; alongside a background of joyous Latino music and educational conversations.

ACLAMO SENIORS SHINE AT WINTER FEST

Seniors Enjoying the Festivities

On December 4th, 2024, our older adults had a wonderful time at the Winter Festival, where our Seniors and their families, enjoyed dancing, playing fun games, and having delicious refreshments. Our Winter Fest program was educationally integrated for our seniors and their families. First by ACLAMO’s Unemployment Compensation team, sharing how they can help individuals apply for unemployment benefits and provided valuable tips on job searching, using the CareerLink website. Health and Wellness vendors also shared their resources with our seniors to make it a fun, yet an educational day for them to be vibrant and enjoy the relaxing good food and conversations.

It was truly an event full of unforgettable moments and insightful information.

Also in December, our seniors enjoyed a beautiful concert provided by Arconet and its collaborators, where they were able to relax, enjoy the music, learn, and joyfully usher in the holiday season. Thank you to Arconet for all their planning and preparation work and its collaborators for this wonderful memorable senior experience.