Dear Reader,
On November 16, I hope you can attend the Norristown Rising Round Table, sponsored by the Norristown Times Herald.
I will be participating with Montgomery County Commissioner Josh Shapiro, Norristown Municipal Manager Crandall Jones, Montgomery County Sheriff Russell Bono, Rev. Gus Puleo, Norristown councilman William Caldwell and State Representative Matt Bradford, among others.
As the local voice for the Latino community, ACLAMO is a logical participant. I was honored to be invited by event organizer and Times Herald Editor Stan Huskey, who wrote this in his column:
“…as you can see, the people most directly responsible for Norristown’s future will all be at the round table.”
The round table will be held on November 16 at the Center Theater, 208 DeKalb Street, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Hope to see you there!
Sincerely,
Nelly Jimenez-Arevalo
ACLAMO Executive Director & CEO
[h2title title=”MORRIS ARBORETUM HOSTS ACLAMO”]
Gisell and Steven listen for bird calls.
Axel conquers the rope challenge.
Whether it was climbing the rope challenge, exploring the giant bird nest, identifying real birds, walking through scarecrow alley, watching a snake sunning itself on a rock in the pond, or just enjoying the fall sunshine, Morris Arboretum gave children and mothers in the Family Literacy Program a day to remember.
Before they left to return to ACLAMO, each child reported – using English – on what they had seen and done.
ACLAMO is grateful to the Morris Arboretum for giving these families the opportunity to learn and to experience the great outdoors.
Class members enjoy Patrick Dougherty´s “A Waltz in the Woods”.
[h2title title=”TO ALL WHO ARE HELPING: GRACIAS!”]
Telemundo reporter Iris Delgado interviews students.
Many friends responded as word spread of the serious shortage of funds ACLAMO is experiencing due to Pennsylvania’s budget impasse. This has not by any means alleviated all ACLAMO shortages, but it has allowed us to continue to function at close to normal capacity at least through November.
In particular we thank those who sent financial gifts. We also appreciate the work done by the Montgomery County Commissioners and the Montgomery County Workforce Investment Board to help as much as possible.
Telemundo also helped by coming to ACLAMO´s Norristown location to interview Executive Director Nelly Jimenez-Arevalo and the families in the After School Program. This interview was broadcast on the evening news.
If newsletter readers have not yet responded with a generous gift to assist ACLAMO through this difficult period, gifts may be sent easily by following this link to ACLAMO´s secure donation site. All amounts will help!
[h2title title=”IRISH PUB TOUR DE SHORE BACKS ACLAMO”]
Riders from NSM Insurance Group pose before setting off.
On July 19, over 2,000 cyclists departed the Irish Pub’s 20th and Walnut location in Philadelphia for what turned out to be an extremely hot, 65-mile ride to Atlantic City. They were participating in the 28th Annual Irish Pub Tour De Shore and their goal was to raise awareness and support for various local children’s charities.
Each team participating in the Tour De Shore selected nonprofit groups to be recipients of the money raised by the group. This year, NSM Insurance Group named ACLAMO Family Centers as one of its recipient organizations. A $1,500 check was presented to ACLAMO in October.
ACLAMO appreciates the recognition and financial support received this year from NSM Insurance Group and the Irish Pub Tour De Shore. This type of support is vital to the continued strength of our programs serving Latino families.
[h2title title=”HELPING LATINO TEENAGERS STAY IN SCHOOL”]
Director Jimenez meets with Adelante parents.
Drawing on ACLAMO’s 38 years of experience, staff and volunteers work with Latino parents and teenagers to address one of the most difficult challenges: retaining student interest in academics as they move through the upper grades of high school.
ACLAMO begins by building bonds with children and their families through the early years of education. When students reach middle school, ACLAMO cooperates with Bryn Mawr College to move students into the Adelante program for teenagers.
During the school year, Adelante students meet on Saturdays at ACLAMO for mentoring, discussions and classes. They also travel to Bryn Mawr College for classes lead by professors. In addition, Adelante students benefit from special field trips and an intensive summer academic support program. Parents are included in regular discussion and orientation meetings.
The Adelante program is in its second year. In 2017, ACLAMO will celebrate the first high school graduations of Adelante students.
[h2title title=”BRIAN CARP MAKES SERVICE TO OTHERS A PART OF HIS DENTAL PRACTICE”]
Dr. Carp (right) and part of his team.
Brian Carp was just starting his dental career when he volunteered to serve in Vietnam with the nonprofit organization “East Meets West”. While working in a Vietnamese orphanage in 2000, he discovered what was to become one of the themes of his life: combining his desire to serve others with his passion for dentistry. He was so energized by the experience that he went back to Vietnam again in 2002 to provide dental services and to teach dentistry skills to Vietnamese medical personnel.
As his United States practice developed, Dr. Carp purchased a dental practice located just a block from ACLAMO in the heart of one of Norristown’s concentrations of Latino families.
Working with ACLAMO, Brian found an ideal outlet for his desire to serve and his love of dentistry. When ACLAMO identifies and qualifies a client who cannot affort dental services, Dr. Carp offers that client a free dental screening and cleaning. ACLAMO clients who continue as patients of Carp Dental receive a 50% reduction in charges. In the past five years, over 250 ACLAMO clients have received care at Carp Dental.
Three years ago, Carp Dental moved to 1325 W. Airy Street where it
continues to serve patients with a staff of 25, including 4 general
dentists, two specialists and a lab technician.
When not involved in dentistry, Brian enjoys golf and tennis as well as hiking, biking and skiing with his wife and two teenagers.
Margarita Contreras, Director of Social Services at ACLAMO, is enthusiastic about Brian Carp. “Dr. Carp is great! we refer families to Carp Dental knowing that they will receive excellent and caring service.”