A deeply committed group of El Cerrito school and community activists led by El Cerrito parent Todd Groves has organized to bring a pilot WriterCoach Connection program to El Cerrito High School in 2010-11. As the school maneuvers to secure funding for the program, community members have launched their own fundraising campaign and are reaching out to recruit volunteer coaches. At the annual El Cerrito July 4th community celebration, the WCC booth was abuzz with activity. (See photo below.)
If funding can be worked out, ECHS would be the first school in the financially challenged West Contra Costa County Unified School District to host a WriterCoach Connection program. Members of the El Cerrito Community are determined to leverage their commitment to enhanced services for their students, despite the school district's severely constricted budget. They feel WriterCoach Connection is the perfect vehicle to do just that and look forward to duplicating WCC's success in Oakland, Berkeley, and Albany.
Bob Menzimer