The quarterly Literacy Advocate Award was presented today to Katherine Cristovao, Self Sufficiency Counselor for the Health and Human Services Tulare District Office. Representing County Librarian Brian Lewis at the presentation, Patricia Habeck, Literacy Center Program Manager, thanked Ms. Cristovao for her efforts on behalf of HHSA’s clients.
Quoting from Mr. Lewis’ award letter, Ms. Habeck stated, “Your support and efforts show that you care about those you serve and are committed to making a difference in their lives.”
David Crawford, TulareWORKS Deputy Director, pointed out that Ms. Cristovao’s work “not only helps the clients, but also helps their children and their children’s children. It helps break the cycle of poverty, which is why we are here.” Concurring with Ms. Habeck, he told Ms. Cristovao, “What you do does make a difference.”
The Literacy Advocate Award honors HHSA staff members who have referred clients to the HHSA/Literacy Center program. These clients have limited reading, writing and mathematical skills, making it difficult for them to find and keep employment. The joint venture is aimed at improving these basic skills so that learners are job ready when opportunities arise.
Also attending the award presentation were Donna Hawley Ortiz, CalWORKS Unit Manager; Tessa Houston, Employment Services Program Specialist; Jorge Vidrio, Tulare District Office Program Specialist, and Win Doyle, Literacy Office Coordinator for the HHSA/Literacy program.
