Why Literacy Matters

Born in a refugee camp in Thailand, Sunday Paw immigrated to the United States when she was twenty years old. She studied for her citizenship test while her daughters played around her.

On May 5, 2020, she became a U.S. Citizen and voted for the first time last year.

Her determination inspired her daughter Julianna, a 4K student who insists on reading independently, creating the story as she goes.

This is Sunday's story.

Nestled in the heart of Milwaukee’s vibrant neighborhoods, the parishes of St. Michael’s and St. Rose combined their resources to nurture the souls, minds, and bodies of their community.

The literacy program focuses on the whole person - their family living, medical needs, and employment. Tutors work with adult students so that they can communicate with their children’s teachers, attend medical and dental appointments, and read business mail.

This is their story.

Having been raised working in the family business, Matt developed a strong work ethic from a young age, “I was very lucky to have that background from my parents making me work in that shop when we were young.” However, he was limited in opportunities to grow professionally.  

He went to Shawano County Literacy Council to improve his reading and writing, helping him to better manage his landscape and supplies business.

This is his story.

Shawano County Literacy Council, a volunteer run council nestled in rural Wisconsin, works with English language learners, farm workers, and adults who want to improve their reading and writing.

With volunteer dedication, they are 27 years strong. "I’m proud of the dedication of our tutors especially during the pandemic this past year. We navigated tutoring virtually with willingness and a can do spirit,” says Melody Boyd, Board Chair and tutor.

This is their story.

"It’s been rough to go back to school while taking care of two kids that are going through homeschool themselves, but Omega made it a lot easier," shared Natalia. Omega School provided her with study materials and helped her with an individualized learning plan for the GED.

This is her story.

"The students are the most important asset we have," shares Oscar Mireles, Executive Director of Omega School.

Omega School helps adults prepare for the GED who don’t have the skills, parental support, and financial support to take and pay for the test. They remove as many barrier as possible to help their students find success.

Click to read their story

Christine always wanted to advance herself. When her work closed down during the pandemic, she seized that opportunity to improve herself at Buffalo-Pepin Literacy Alliance.

She missed a lot of information during school because she didn't have hearing aids. Now, she's working on her writing and speech and gaining more self-confidence.

This is her story.

Our member spotlight shines on Buffalo-Pepin Literacy Alliance. Their "Do Good," positive attitude during the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in growth of both volunteers and learners.

This rural literacy agency, formerly entirely in person, now has a virtual, digital learning option that will help parents now and close geographic barriers and serve more people in the future.

Watch their story

Joshua was having a hard time finding a job.

He didn’t know how best to represent himself during a job interview or have the skills to keep a job. At McLit (Marathon County Literacy Council), Joshua found the support he needed to change his life.

This is his story.

For McLit (Marathon County Literacy Council), literacy is not just about reading and writing, but about learning directly from the people served as well. “You get right in their lives when you are doing literacy. You can make a difference to change their lives for the good. That’s part of our mission.” Connie Heidemann, Executive Director of McLit said.

This is their story.

"Thank you for believing in me when I didn’t. . . Thank you for opening the door of endless opportunities for not just myself but for many others before me and the many that will come after," said Alma Lopez, HSED graduate from Literacy Green Bay/Northeast Wisconsin Technical College’s Children First Family Literacy Program, to LGB staff.

This is her story in her own words.

May Oo nods enthusiastically, “We need to learn English to understand this country [and] for this country to understand us."

May Oo arrived as a refugee from Myanmar with her 5-year old son in 2013. She began her journey in the United States like many other refugees, joining English Language classes like those offered at Neighborhood House's International Learning Program.

Later, she took citizenship classes all the while raising her son and growing her sushi franchise.

This is her story.

Neighborhood House's International Learning Program serves refugees from mostly war-torn countries.

Many students have never been to school nor held a pencil before. These students, even their elderly refugees 60 or older, are learning remotely with Google Classroom, online quizzes, and Zoom meetings.

"Digital literacy skills have never been put to more use than they are now," shares Cynthia Zarazua, Program Manager.

Watch their story.

Elin Noe Perez worked on the processing line at a meat packaging facility for ten years. The work started to affect his health, particularly the use of his hands. Although he tried to interview for a promotion, he was nervous and struggled with English, his second language.

Then, he decided to improve his English and study for his U.S. Citizenship at Fox Valley Literacy.

This is his story

Building relationships are key to FVL’s success. “Because we have a close relationship with people, they trust us in other matters, a resource to navigate the community,” Brian Leone Tracy, Executive Director, states.

This year, they will serve over 300 people through the close, personalized connection of tutors, and some small conversation groups.

This is their story

“Each and every person who goes to interview and passes is cause for celebration,” shares Pat Giese, tutor at Jefferson County Literacy Council who has guided students through U.S. citizenship preparation since 2010.  She identifies empathy as a powerful tool to connect with students and prepare for this important, life-changing goal.

Click her name to read her story.

For 20 years, Jefferson County Literacy Council (JCLC) delivered its literacy programs across eight different communities without interconnecting transportation.

JCLC rises to meet any challenge it faces - even the COVID pandemic.

Yannick, a student with Literacy Services of Wisconsin, arrived in the United States from Cameroon a few years ago.

He was hired to work on the floor at Penzey's Spices. As a native French speaker, he had trouble with the speed and content of American speech, so he enrolled at LSW. Yannick has a degree in Engineering, as well as experience in computer science. He and his tutor began to explore what he could offer his employer beyond the job description for which he was hired.

Listen to his story.

"We're trying to look at the broader impact of our work and how adult literacy is interconnected to so many issues. How it impacts families and communities when we engage adults in the different programs that we offer."

Holly McCoy, Executive Director of Literacy Services of Wisconsin, shares why adult literacy is essential to building stronger communities.

Listen to their story.

Lili Vera and Gordon Williams, her tutor, have met regularly for one and a half years and steadily Lili's life changed "totally - forever."

When COVID-19 closures shutdown in person meetings, Lili refused to quit. She knew that somehow they'd have to figure it out. Now, she and Gordon meet via Zoom for their one-on-one studies.

Click the link above to read more of their story.

With safety measures, shifting public health information, and local resurgences of the COVID-19 pandemic, the landscape of literacy tutoring is changing.

Kristy SeBlonka, Co-Director of PCLC (Portage County Literacy Council), chatted with us about tutoring and offering literacy support during the pandemic. PCLC adapted quickly. They shifted their fundraiser online and offered training and support transitioning learners and tutors to virtual connections - Zoom, Facebook Live, WhatsApp, and the classic telephone call.

Click the link to read more of their story

When Oanh came to Walworth County Literacy Council (WCLC), her goals were to be a good parent (she has sons ages 10 and 8), attain Citizenship, and improve her English.

The path to success wasn’t easy for Oanh. Click her name to read her story.

WCLC helps adults in Walworth County achieve their educational goals, primarily through one on one instruction meeting once or twice a week. These pairs work on reading, English as a second language, citizenship preparation, and G.E.D. preparation.

Click the name to read their story.

For 22 years, Lindsay Hyland has been an integral part of the Literacy Council of Green County. As a tutor and mentor, she offers her knowledge freely, with humility.

She shared her many skills with hundreds of learners and beyond to others connected to the Spanish speaking community in Monroe, Wisconsin.

This is her story.

"We do more than teach English," says Ellen Hossman, Executive Director of Literacy Council of Green County. "We encourage community building. . . most of our tutors become part of their learner's families."

Along with one-to-one and small group instruction, learners and tutors at the Council share each other's culture and each other's lives.

Listen to their story.

Joe Grignon of Keshena, Wisconsin is a graduate of Menominee Tribal Education’s GED Prep Program. His experience in high school was sometimes difficult. Joe fell behind and was not able to catch up in time to graduate with his peers.

The GED Prep Program gave him a chance to move forward in life.

Click his name to read his story

Journey House's THRIVE (Transforming, Healthy, Reliable, Inspiring, Valued, and Employable) Training and Internship Program prepares participants for careers in Banking, Culinary Arts/Hospitality/Barista, Retail, Construction & Architectural Design, Emergency Services, Manufacturing, Sports Turf Management & Landscaping, Food & Agriculture, Green Economy, and STEAM through industry recognized certificate training programs.

To learn more about the THRIVE program, go to http://www.journeyhouse.org/workforce.html

“I used to be depressed. I didn’t have a positive escape. I felt like I was always trapped at home, bored, always feeling sad, worried about what other people thought of me. Then, I came, I learned, and I succeeded!” Travis shared shortly after obtaining his 5.09 HSED (high school equivalency).

Click on his name to read his story

Deb Helquist, Coordinator of Sawyer County Adult Literacy, shares about the "very beautiful work."

This all-volunteer run literacy organization shares their passion to help learners earn their high school equivalency and improve their literacy skills in northwestern Wisconsin.

Listen to their story.

Ruth Riesch met a farmer in the Emergency Room in the hospital where she worked couldn't read enough to fill out his hospital form. That interaction stuck with her for years.

When she retired, she decided to do something to help literacy in her community and became a tutor at Marinette and Oconto Counties.

She has helped learners start their own businesses, learn the names of tools to communicate better at work, and practice speaking with staff at their children’s schools.

Click her photo to read her story.

It all started with healthcare. Janet Glime, President of Marinette and Oconto Counties Literacy Council, was working as a nurse when she started noticing hospital patients who struggled to read.

She checked local literacy rates and found that the highest need came from the rural areas.

The literacy council came to serve both Marinette and Oconto counties in Northeastern Wisconsin. The program uses one-to-one tutoring so that the learner and tutor can focus on the learner’s specific goals.

Click the name to read their story.

Reyna's son was diagnosed with Autism and she wanted to speak English to communicate with health care providers and the school.

After 6 years of tutoring and classes at Literacy Network of Dane County, Reyna is happy with her progress. She said, "I can fight for my children's rights and my rights too."

Click her name to her story.

Jeff Burkhart, Executive Director of Literacy Network of Dane County, says, "This is one of the biggest impacts that you can make in the community . . by being a tutor and supporting the programs that we offer."

Literacy Network of Dane County provides a wide range of programs including individualized tutoring and workplace literacy tailored to employer/employee needs.

Click photo to hear more about Literacy Network