Wisconsin Literacy (WL) increased support and networking for members offering specialized workplace literacy and employment skills training for refugees. As a result, refugees in communities across the state obtained employment, retained employment, and increased their wages.
“One of our students was a dentist in Afghanistan. He was working as a dental assistant here, and successfully completed all of his technical responsibilities, but his employer requested he improve his English so he could better communicate with the patients. He worked with a tutor, joined a group class and was able to retain his employment.” — Fox Valley Literacy, Appleton
WL member agencies are:

• collaborating with Wisconsin Works (W2) agencies
• partnering with local employers
• meeting with human resource professionals to design English language courses
• loaning computers to refugees so they can attend virtual classes

“A newly-hired staff member helped encourage program attendance for new refugee arrivals. Not only did we serve more participants eligible for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) than in previous quarters, but we more than doubled instructional hours over the last quarter!”— Literacy Network, Madison, WI