VITA Wants to Be Baker for a Day Once a year, Great Harvest Bread Company opens its doors on a Sunday to give one nonprofit organization all the proceeds -- not just all the profits but every penny -- for that day's sales. VITA was selected as one of the 10 non-profits to be on the voting ballot. "We received many wonderful applications. It was really tough to narrow the ballot to a manageable contest," states Michelle MacFadyen, owner of the bakery. Other non-profits selected are Acadiana Oaks Catholic Youth Retreat Center, Autism Society of Acadiana, Change Agent Network, Inc., Families Helping Families of Acadiana, Family Missions Company, Healing House, Hope for Water, Maddie's Footprints, and St. Joesph's Diner. Now, the non-profit that will be Baker for a Day is up to the voters. Any visitor to Great Harvest Bread Company who is at least 13 years of age can vote, but only one vote per person. No purchase is necessary to vote. Each non-profit can have one 8 1/2X11 piece of paper to highlight the work of its organization. The Baker for a Day in 2010 was Christian Youth Theater with LARC being baker in 2009. "It's a great opportunity to get VITA's mission out to the public. Already we are having the bakery walk-in traffic learn about us, and our name has appeared, along with the other contestants, in The Independent," states Kathy DeGlandon. Voting runs through March 30, 2011. Baker for a Day is April 17, 2011. Thank you for supporting VITA in this effort. Remembering Longtime VITA Tutor and Board Member Barbara Hansen, a former VITA volunteer, tutor, and board member, died on January 22, 2011. Barbara tutored VITA students from 1986 until 2000 and received the Outstanding Tutor Award in 1994. Barbara also trained volunteer tutors and spoke on behalf of VITA at community events. In January 1997, Barbara was named United Way of Acadiana's Volunteer of the Month. In 2000, VITA presented Barbara with the Donna Groth Delhomme Memorial Award for dedicated service to others and a commitment to literacy. A native of Minneapolis, MN, Barbara lived in Lafayette since 1963, where she raised her children, worked for South Central Bell, and actively supported musical activities in the community. VITA wishes to thank those who made contributions to VITA in Barbara's name. VITA Tutor, Sorbet, Encourages Inmates Succeed Roy Sorbet, 82, has been tutoring at Vermilion Parish Correctional Center (VPCC) for VITA since 1992. And, in that time he has helped 86 inmates obtain their GED diploma. When offered the job in 1992, Sorbet said, "Why not? I'm retired." People are often astounded by his work, but he likes seeing his students overcome obstacles and is not uncomfortable by the correctional institution's environment. In a classroom of 20 students with two to a table, Sorbet encourages his students to succeed. His class is a no-nonsense one, and if students can remember that one fact, he promises them all the help in the world. "I'm really proud of them," says Sorbet. "We take it as it comes, but most of all I try to keep the light bulb burning." Sorbet will only recommend a student if he knows that student will pass. The VPCC pays for the first test, and Sorbet does not like to see money wasted. Once students enter Sorbetis class, he tests them and counsels them on their strengths and weaknesses. His counseling comes more from a feeling he gets with the student that tells him that particular student is ready to get to work. Once the student has had a bit of Sorbet's encouragement, it's time to light the light bulb. With 86 GED diplomas and possibly another two by the end of March, Sorbet does not show signs of stopping. It's hard for Sorbet to pick his most memorable moment of the past 19 years, but one of the best is seeing the looks on his students' faces when they see their names on the gold GED plaque. That look is all Sorbet needs to keep encouraging his students. Mardi Gras at VITA The spirit of Mardi Gras was in the air at VITA on Wednesday, March 2, 2011. Students, tutors and staff members gathered in the training room, decorated in purple, green and gold, for the festivities. In an effort to teach the purpose of the carnival season, students and tutors shared king cake from local bakeries, listened to seasonal music and played Mardi Gras bingo to learn vocabulary. "I really enjoyed playing bingo" said said Jackie Smith, "and eating king cake, too." Students who won bingo were able to pick beads from a collection, and many of them put them around their necks in the carnival fashion. Not only were students playing bingo, but they were also learning Mardi Gras vocabulary and traditions, like why we celebrate Mardi Gras, the purpose of the baby in the king cake and other traditions. Students enjoy king cake and play Mardi Gras bingo. Tutor Support Meeting Held in January A cocoa and cookies tutor support meeting was held at 6:00 pm on January 25, 2011 in the VITA Training Room. Twelve tutors sat in a round-robin discussion and shared their successes and challenges. Topics discussed were spelling, cool websites to find lesson plans and material, and TABE preparation. Additionally, tutors checked out materials from the library and were given free materials that could be used with their students. The meeting was a good opportunity for tutors to share. "I'm always impressed with the dedication that our tutors display, and how they are always interested in getting new ideas and materials from each other," said Janel Fontenot, cocoordinator of the event. Plans for the next tutor support meeting are ongoing, with the next meeting tentatively scheduled for May. Students To Visit Children's Museum and Library In an effort to raise awareness about educational opportunities for families, VITA will be hosting a students' visit to the Lafayette Children's Museum and Lafayette Parish Library, main branch on April 13, 2011 at 1:00 p.m. The Children's Museum of Acadiana (CMA) is a hands-on participatory museum serving children and their families, schools, and community organizations by providing interactive exhibits, special services, performances, and workshops. Postcards are being sent out to students who have children or grandchildren that could benefit from these educational opportunities. Students must R.S.V.P., if interested in participating. Students and staff members will walk to The Children's Museum and participate in a self-guided tour. Everyone will then move to the Lafayette Public Library, now located on Jefferson St. while the main building is renovated. Students will have an opportunity to apply for a library card, to take a tour of the temporary facility, and to receive the childrens book Fancy Nancy at the Art Museum, a book about visiting an art museum. Students will then be able to take the book home with them and read to their children/grandchildren. New Faces in VITA Office VITA welcomes two new ULL Federal Work Student/Community Service Program students, Letarchia Lewis and Maggie Fuller. Their duties include clerical work and general office duties, such as Letarchia Lewis answering the phones and helping in the computer lab. A mother of three, Letarchia is a ULL freshman working on her Bachelor's degree in elementary education. She enjoys tutoring her student and states, "It really assures me that you can learn at any age." Maggie, currently a sophomore, is studying for her Bachelor's degree in marketing. Maggie tutors an ESL student, works in the computer lab, and helps tutor during math class. VITA appreciates all their hard work. Maggie Fuller In the Corner With a Good Book Many books to help with your reading lessons can be checked out from our VITA library. Take some time to browse our holdings. Here are a few suggestions: A Day No Pigs Would Die by Robert Newton Peck -- the story of a Vermont Shaker farm boy, his beloved pet pig and the joys and hardships that mark his passage to manhood. Folktales by Tana Reiff -- Folktales are not written by one person but are passed on from one person to another. Some folktales teach a lesson, some are just good stories, but all of are fun to read. Oskar Schindler by Terry Barber -- a part of the Acts of Courage Series, tells the story of Schindler's help to the Jewish workers in his factory during WWII. Something to Remember Me By by Bosak with Laurie McGaw -- a celebration of the gift of love and memories across generations, a true story of the author's relationship with her grandmother. Spend some time in your reading corner with a good book to increase your skills and develop the habit of reading for pleasure. These stories will live in your memory for years to come. The VITA library -- check it out! VITA Welcomes New Tutors Mimi Anderson Leslie Coleman Richard Douglas Brenda Daniel Margaret Fuller Eric Holloway Letarchia Lewis Yolanda Lewis Anthony Musacchia Michele Nobles Dan Ritchey Marsha Sills Margie Stalica Mary Trahan Felicia Williams Congratulations GED Graduates January Hannah Artigue Mariah Guillory Joey Reppond February Michael Bell Mary Elaine Botts Joshua Martin