|
Lifelines
From the Field
Lifelines in Action
Baltimore
Distance Learning Project Baltimore, MD (15K)
Pennyslvania
Distance Learning Project Lewistown, PA
Reviews
Taking a no-nonsense approach to handling struggles and hardships,
this family series sends a very clear message: obstacles can be
overcome by pursuing dreams, setting personal goals, and persevering.
Each inspirational program dramatizes the lives and daily routines
of families from different ethnic and cultural backgrounds. In
the first title, the camera follows a single mother who gave up
the warmth and security of a strong community in Trinidad to live
in New York City. Her situation improves when she completes her
GED and develops her skills as a family educator. The next title
catches a glimpse of a young couple immersed in the culture of
the Mexican immigrant community in East Los Angeles. Some of the
episodes end more optimistically than others, suggesting that families
will overcome their hardships and realize their dreams, and all
titles emphasize that self-improvement and economic self-sufficiency
cannot be achieved without basic education and a commitment to
hard work.
Carol Holzberg
Testimonials
"I wanted to thank you
for sending Lifelines and Madison Heights. I've been able to preview
both and think they're excellent for ABE/GED. The class I'll be
doing in the fall is part distance learning, and I want to make
use of video materials as springboards to all kinds of reading and
writing. The strengths of these programs lie in your diversity of
family structure and experience."
Melissa Madenski
Oregon Coast Community College
"My Brothers' Keeper"
just arrived. I showed it out in the commons area as soon as we
got it. I was by myself when it started and when it was over, the
area was packed with students, most of whom don't even know Shari.
It is fabulous! I'm overwhelmed. Thank you from the bottom of my
heart. This is going to do wonders to promote Family Literacy in
South Carolina."
Gail Graham
Director of the Freedman Parenting Centers
Aiken, South Carolina
"The Madison Heights/ Lifelines
Program is an easy way to increase family literacy component
hours. The Program has offered us an opportunity to provide
learners with materials that they can pick and choose from
that are related to their goals and can work on at home. Being
able to do the work at home is especially important for learners
who for whatever reason are unable to attend class on a regular
basis (i.e., work schedules, sick children).
At the Wilkes-barre
family literacy site, a new unit selected by the parent learners
is usually introduced every two weeks. The class watches the
video together and then discuss it afterward. Part of Section
A (Steps 1 and 2) is completed in class as a group. The Unit
materials are reviewed and a few of the "For You and
Your Child" activities are discussed before the learners
take the materials home to complete. Families with children
of different ages find the break down of ages and activities
in this section easy and fin to do with their children. Parents
also borrow children's literature books from the lending library
that are listed in the "Books Can Help" in the Family
Ties Section/
The Madison Heights
and Lifelines materials supplement family literacy classroom
instruction providing the opportunity for families to learn
together."
Mary
Family Literacy
Practitioner
Luzerne County
Community College
"The movies
were very interesting. I enjoyed doing the "For
You and Your Child" activities together with my child.
It was easier for me to be able to do the work at home around
my work schedule and because I tend to be an independent worker."
Bonne
Family Literacy
Parent
Luzerne County
Community College
"My experience
with Madison Heights and Lifelines videos and workbook materials
have been great! The videos are a great change of pace. The
stories are very moving and most of the students can relate
to at least two or more of the stories. The workbook materials
have a variety of lessons that you can choose from and also
activities you can do with your children. You can work
on the materials in your free time at home. You can do as
little or as much as you want."
Tina
Family Literacy
Parent
Luzerne County
Community College
"My experience
with the Madison Heights and Lifelines materials was a very
good one. I related to a lot of the situations in the videos
and after watching the videos, I wish that I could have changed
the endings to some of my situations. Doing the activities
with my family brought us closer together. The activities
for the adults were challenging and exciting. They made you
think on your feet. In all, I think that other parents would
benefit from the materials. The fact that you can work at
your own pace and do them at home is great. You don't have
to feel like you need to keep up with what everyone else is
doing."
Michelle
Family Literacy
Parent
Luzerne County
Community College
Awards
Gold Award. The Aurora
Awards 2003.
Silver Screen Award. US
International Film and Video Festival.
|
