Whitney National Bank recently hosted its first MoneySmart program for VITA students. Whitney staff members presented the first of six presentations, Bank on It, to a group of students in the VITA Training Room. Whitney Bank Presents MoneySmart Whitney National Bank kicked off its MoneySmart program aimed at fostering financial education to VITA students. On the last Thursday of each month, Whitney employees will present a financial workshop from 10:30 until 12:00 noon in the VITA Training Room in the Whitney Bank in Lafayette. The MoneySmart program is scheduled to run through December. The MoneySmart program is a free program created by the FDIC, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, to educate people about credit and banking services. Some of the skills that will be offered in the course are how to open a bank account and use it properly and how to manage a credit account. The students will also learn ways to budget, borrow, and save money. The purpose of the program is for students to develop savings and budgeting habits so they can reach their financial goals. If your students might be interested in attending the MoneySmart sessions, ask them to call us at (337) 234-4600. In 2005, Hieu Tran was awarded the Vivienne Francis ESL Award by Mary Linda Francis. Hieu, who was an active member of the VITA program for many years, passed away recently. He was instrumental in developing VITAs ESL program for Vietnamese students in Abbeville. VITA Remembers Hieu Tran Hieu Tran, a native of Vietnam, entered the VITA program in 2001 to assist with his English reading and speaking skills. At the time Hieu was studying to be a deacon in the Roman Catholic Church, and after six years of study, he was ordained in 2006. In 2005, Hieu received the Vivienne Francis ESL Award at the VITA Recognition Event. He also was guest speaker at the banquet that year. In his speech, Hieu told of his harrowing escape from Vietnam on a fishing boat in 1981. He also chronicled his life in America before moving to Lafayette in 1993. Hieu related how he met and married Loan Doan in 1984. Hieu and Loan, also a VITA student, began several business ventures in Acadiana. They owned and managed a trailer park and had convenience stores in Scott and Ossun. The couple bought, remodeled, and resold houses as well. In addition to Hieus business enterprises, he was active in bringing the VITA program to the Vietnamese population of Abbeville. He assisted in organizing ESL group classes at the Abbeville Public Library two evenings a week. Hieu passed away in April and is survived by his wife and four children. VITA Welcomes New Tutors Stephanie Bonnett Karen Gesser Loretta Heatherwick Lydia Keeton Debbie Kubelka Melissa Recatto Mark St. Cyr Brandon Trahan New Advertising Possibilities Found for VITA Advertising is always helpful to publicize the VITA program. One form of advertising pursued by VITA is the use of bus signs. Posters promoting the program, printed in both English and Spanish, will be displayed on Lafayette Transit System buses free of charge. VITA also now has a Facebook page. Tutors can stay current with events such as workshops, socials, and tutor sharing sessions. Photos are also posted after VITA events. A discussion tab is offered for tutors to share their insights and success stories. To become a VITA fan on Facebook, use http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/VITA-Volunteers-Instructors-Teaching-Adults/138884969603 and click the like button. Once we have 25 fans, this link will change and make it easier to find VITA on Facebook. By becoming a fan, you can help us claim our unique username and make it simpler for others to find us on the website. Twitter also offers a VITA site at href="http://twitter.com/vitaliteracy. Tutors can also keep up with the programs daily events on this site. Maps and driving directions to the VITA offices in Lafayette and Opelousas may also be found on the Google Maps and Yahoo Maps websites. U.L.L. Intern Stephanie Bonnett assisted the VITA program during the spring semester. Stephanie will continue tutoring her students after her graduation from the university. VITA Staff Applauds Stephanie Bonnett VITA enjoyed the assistance of U.L.L. intern Stephanie Bonnett during the spring semester. Stephanie tutored adult learners and provided office support for the program. She was a May 2010 graduate in Child and Family Studies. Stephanie is a Shreveport native but plans to remain in Lafayette and continue volunteering for VITA. She would like to work as an advocate for women and children. Janel Fontenot (left) and Stephanie Bonnett (right) represented VITA recently at the SWAP Meet, sponsored by the United Way of Acadiana. VITA Participated in the United Way SWAP Meet VITA recently joined other local agencies to share information about their programs at the Robicheaux Center. The event provided an opportunity for local case managers, nonprofit organizations, and other service providers to network and gain information about local community resources. VITA staff members displayed program materials and literacy information to inform other agencies about our mission. VITA Student Laura Fontenot recently received her American citizenship. She is a native of Mexico and lives in New Iberia. Laura has been in the VITA program since 2008. SCRABBLE(r) Event Fundraiser Planned In conjunction with the National SCRABBLE(r) Association, VITA plans to sponsor a SCRABBLE(r) event as a fundraiser for the program. The national association offers guidance to nonprofit agencies that wish to host a fundraising social featuring the SCRABBLE(r) game. VITA welcomes tutor and student participation in the fundraiser. Assistance will be needed for planning, publicity, site set-up, refreshments, prizes, registration, word judging, scorekeepers, and cleanup. If you and/or your student would like to help with the event, please call the VITA office at (337) 234-4600. Ashley Phillips (right) recently presented a $1,200 check from the proceeds of the sixth Annual Multicultural Festival to VITA Executive Director Jeanette Barras. The festival is sponsored each year by Glouchester Manor and Mimosa Place Apartments. The event features the music, food and influences of many cultures. Multicultural Festival Raises Funds for VITA Proceeds from the sixth Annual Multicultural Festival were recently presented to VITA. The purpose of the yearly festival is to promote cultural awareness in the community. The event was sponsored by Glouchester Manor and Mimosa Place Apartments. The festival featured music, food and fun for residents of the facilities, as well as many childrens activities. A VITA student represented our agency at the festival. A Chinese auction and po-boy sale provided the funds for the donation. VITA Training Seminar Schedule VITA training seminars are tentatively planned this year. The following seminar is scheduled to be held at the VITA Training Room in the Whitney Bank in Lafayette. Dates and Times Thursday, June 17, 5-7:30 p.m. Thursday, June 24, 5-7:30 p.m.