Why Literacy Matters

Maria Ollarvez moved to America from Venezuela in 2016 with little knowledge of the English language. While she waited for an individual tutor to help her get individualized support and identify areas for growth, she participated in conversation circles at Fox Valley Literacy Council.

Click on her name to read more of her story.

72-year-old Lonnie Breitung accomplished many goals in his life. He worked as a farmhand, welder, machinist and is the proud grandfather of four. Yet, one goal that remained un-achieved was the ability to read. But in November of 2017, after encouragement from friends and neighbors, he sought out help from the Buffalo-Pepin County Literacy Council and became not only literate but also the 2018 ‘Learner of the Year.’

Read more of Lonnie's story in the Daily Mail.

Khao came to the United States three years ago from a Laos refugee camp, but works hard daily to get her GED and learn English. Click her name and read her story.

Tin dreamed of creating a safe life for his family in America. Read Tin's story in the above link.

A son brought his mother Mina into the Marathon County Literacy Council (McLit) and asked for help. She had just moved to Wausau from Morocco and didn't speak any English. Click on her name to hear more of her story.

Edwin dreaded opening his mail. He struggled to tell what was important from what was junk, and felt bombarded by words he couldn’t understand. Click the link above to read more about Edwin's story.

Recent GED/HSED graduate, Amanda Jones has enrolled in Madison College in the College Transfer Program. She is interested in a career in health.

Greater Waukesha Literacy piloted a National Work Readiness Certificate with fantastic results. Click on the link above, to read more about this program.

Reading Connections has been working with an adult male that suffered very significant brain trauma as a result of a motorcycle accident.

Read about how he has written a children's book.

Jim came to Jefferson County Literacy Council wanting to improve his quality of life. To read about what Jim accomplished, click on his name.

Layla and Katie, both parents, wanted to teach their daughters the importance of education by getting their own high school equivalency. Click their names, to read their story.

Determined to get her GED before December, Ana Claudia passed her final test on November 29, 2017! To read more about Ana, click her name above.

Mary Jo, an English Language tutor at One-to-One Adult Literacy Partners, inspired others to help give the gift of literacy.

Click on her name to read her story

Nicholas came to Journey House, his neighborhood literacy council, back in 2001 because he wanted to improve his English language skills. Through his work with Journey House, he received his GED in 2005 and now is working on his citizenship. Click on his name to read his story.

West CAP Literacy Program has been working with the Pierce County Jail to help improve the inmates literacy skills. They worked with the Pierce County Jail to establish a "Book Club" that provide books and other reading materials for inmates. To read more, click on the above.

Learner Stella, native English Speaker, came to Literacy Council of Green County in 2012, not reading a word. She now has her 1st job ever and spoke on Literacy Council of Green County’s behalf at a large gathering. Her self-esteem is very high for the first time in her life.

Cristina began studying with the Children First Family Literacy program in May of 2014. Click on her name to read about her achievements.

The winter Southeast Regional Meeting presented agencies with sustainability tools by Laura Sumner Coon and a discussion with Regina Smith, Dean of Milwaukee Area Technical College's School of Pre-College Education, on collaboration. Click the title to read more.

Regional meeting are one way that Wisconsin Literacy helps members face challenges and find solutions. Anna Bierer, Northeast Regional Consultant, held a recent meeting to discuss ideas and strategies to help her members. Click on the title to read more about the meeting and what was discussed.

Rosa has been attending English classes through Casa Guadalupe Education Center faithfully for the past few years. Click on her name to read her story.

Sara, a junior in high school was 6 months pregnant and worried about graduating when she began attending Hope Academy. Click on her name to read her story.

In the summer of 2015, Carmen Storlie decided that she wanted to pursue becoming an American citizen. Her tutor, Bonnie Sasse, contacted The Literacy Connection and they were delighted to provide as many materials as they could to assist in Carmen's preparation. Click on Carmen Storlie's name to read more of her story.

Howadia Hashim Laseke has been reaching her goals, one after the next. She began working with her first tutor at Fox Valley Literacy Council in 2012 to improve her English and became a U.S. Citizen in the same year. Click on her name to read more of her story.

Maria's life has changed for the better through her experience with Kenosha Literacy Council. Click on her name and read what she has to say about the experience.

Wisconsin Literacy wants to congratulate all of the participants in Latino Academy of Workforce Development’s Bilingual Construction Program on achieving employment at family sustaining wages!