Why Literacy Matters

Shelly (name changed to protect privacy) worked long 12-hour days at a local factory to support her family. She wanted to get her high school equivalency. 

Her employer allowed her to changer her schedule so she could attend classes at Grant County Family Literacy Services (GCFLS).

This is her story.

As this new year begins, Grant County Family Literacy Services (GCFLS) is growing and regrouping with the changes and challenges of the pandemic. “We're going through a transition stage right now and starting kind of new,” shares Marlene Klein, Treasurer of GCFLS, a literacy organization in existence since 1994.

This is their story.

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