My name is Heather and I am one of the marketing and communications interns at Learn To Be. I am currently studying business and public relations at Chapman University and will be graduating in May 2010. I have really enjoyed my time working for Learn To Be and have learned a lot about an organization that I am extremely proud to represent. Not only has this internship provided me with real world experience, but it has also familiarized me with the nonprofit world. Learn To Be has opened my eyes to the incredible things these organizations are able to do for people.

Over the past few months I have become extremely aware of the benefits a service like Learn To Be provides. Right now education is a major concern, especially in California, and the free tutoring that Learn To Be offers is invaluable. I am extremely grateful to have had this opportunity to be part of such a good cause.

Throughout my internship, I have assisted in writing website content, press releases, and media alerts. This allowed me to really apply the skills I have accumulated and use them in helping to promote Learn To Be. I also conducted research and delivered presentations to Learn To Be staff on trends among other companies. It was extremely informative and interesting to see what other organizations were doing to raise awareness, especially on Facebook, Twitter, and in blogs. In November, Learn To Be partnered with Project Access and the NBA to host a “Family Fun Day." I had a major role in organizing the event. It was fun to create games and activities for the kids and to see it all come together. The event was a success, the kids had a lot of fun, and so did I!

Interning has given me valuable experience that I will carry with me throughout my life. The things that Learn To Be is doing for the community are amazing and I would just like to thank everyone I have worked with and met through Learn To Be for allowing me to contribute and be a part of this great organization.

Heather Pycz
Marketing and Communications Intern, Fall 2009

Learn to be... readers. Children who love reading not only develop strong vocabulary and language skills, but are often more creative and excel in school. We asked the Learn To Be staff to share just one childhood book that encouraged their love for reading. By remembering our favorite stories, we hope you will join us in sharing the joy of reading with children everywhere.

THE POLAR EXPRESS
by Chris Van Allsburg

A magical train ride on Christmas Eve takes a boy to the North Pole to receive a special gift from Santa.

Reading level: Ages 4-8

Recommended by Stephen

THE MOUSE AND THE MOTORCYCLE
by Beverly Cleary

A young mouse named Ralph befriends a boy named Keith, who teaches him how to ride a toy motorcycle. Thus begins a great friendship and many adventures including a terrifying encounter with a vacuum cleaner and a heroic search for aspirin.

Reading level: Ages 9-12

Recommended by Neeraj
 

THE HEART OF A CHAMPION
by Carl Deuker

Seth and Jimmy live and breathe baseball. On and off the field, their passion for the game gets them through some of life's struggles and unites them in a once in a lifetime friendship.

Reading level: Young adult

Recommended by Bryan

THE GIVING TREE
by Shel Silverstein

A parable about the gift of giving and the capacity to love, told through the life of a boy who grows to manhood and a tree that selflessly gives her bounty through the years.

Reading level: Ages 4-8

Recommended by Michael

THE BFG
by Roald Dahl

Snatched from her orphanage by a BFG (Big Friendly Giant), who spends his life blowing happy dreams to children, Sophie concocts with him a plan to save the world from nine other man-gobbling cannybull giants.

Reading level: Ages 9-12

Recommended by Lynn

BY THE GREAT HORN SPOON!
by Sid Fleischman

Twelve-year-old Jack Flagg and his butler, Praiseworthy, stow away on a ship to search for wealth during the California Gold Rush. Along the way, they meet adventures and villains in the wild, dangerous West.

Reading level: Ages 9-12

Recommended by Bruce

PURPLE, GREEN AND YELLOW
by Robert Munsch

Brigid really loves markers. But when she draws on herself with super-indelible-never-comes-off-till-you're-dead ink, she must find a creative solution to stay out of trouble.

Reading level: Ages 4-8

Recommended by Heather

THE LITTLE MOUSE, THE RED RIPE STRAWBERRY,
AND THE BIG HUNGRY BEAR
by Don and Audrey Wood

A little mouse worries that a big, hungry bear will take his freshly picked, ripe, red strawberry for himself.

Reading level: Ages 4-8

Recommended by Jen

Do you want to help ensure that Learn To Be's free online tutoring service continues to be accessible to children in underserved communities? Please vote for the Learn To Be Foundation in the Chase Community Giving Program by December 11, 2009!

http://apps.facebook.com/chasecommunitygiving/charities/676414

Chase Community Giving is a program run by Chase that will allow Facebook users to vote for local charities and non-profits, and help direct Chase corporate philanthropy dollars to eligible organizations in the following focus areas: education, healthcare, housing, the environment, combating hunger, arts and culture, human services, and animal welfare. The grassroots campaign aims to inspire a new way of corporate philanthropy.

The eligible charity receiving the most votes will be awarded $1 million, the top five runners-up will receive $100,000 each and the 100 finalists, including the top winners, will be awarded $25,000 each. Additionally, a special Advisory Board led by prominent national philanthropists will allocate $1 million to the nominated charities of its choice.

Chase will use Facebook to allow participants of the Chase Community Giving program to select local causes and organizations in need of support focused on the issues that matter most, enabling those organizations to make further tangible progress toward their missions. Voting for Round 1 ends December 11. Voting for Round 2 ends January 22, 2010 and the top charities will be announced on or around February 1. See Official Rules: http://apps.facebook.com/chasecommunitygiving/home/rules

Are you following Learn To Be on Facebook and Twitter?

www.facebook.com/learntobe
http://twitter.com/learntobe

In partnership with Project Access, the Learn To Be Foundation hosted its first annual Family Fun Day at King Elementary School in Cypress on Saturday, November 14, 2009. To promote the importance of education and healthy living, the event featured an NBA-sponsored "Dribble, Dish & Swish" contest, obstacle courses, educational games, and arts and crafts.

We would like to congratulate the following winners of our local "Dribble, Dish & Swish" contest:

Age 7/8: Noah Benjamin

Age 9/10: Joseph Kim

Age 11/12: Soo Rim Lee

Learn To Be partners with Project Access year-round to provide free online tutoring for its residents. Project Access is a statewide affordable housing nonprofit that offers on-site education, health and social services for low income communities.

Special thanks to all Learn To Be staff and volunteers for creating a memorable day!