Meeting Literacy Needs Through Innovation and Engagement
Literacy Chippewa Valley (LCV) is a place of learning, growth and opportunity. It has more students now – a little more than 600 – than it’s ever had since its founding in 1987. The WL member organization is able to effectively serve those students with just six paid staff members and 25 community volunteers. What’s their secret?
“We’re very flexible and agile,” says Aryn Widule, the organization’s marketing coordinator and one of its instructors. “If there’s a demand in the community that isn’t being met, we figure out how to get in there.”
For example, Literacy Chippewa Valley offers GED/HSED classes, some vocational programs and some certificates to residents in the Eau Claire, Chippewa and Dunn County jails. “We’re the only organization that provides onsite instructors year-round,” Aryn explains. About half of Literacy Chippewa Valley’s students are county jail residents. Some continue with their education when they’re released, either through LCV or a partnership between the literacy organization and Chippewa Valley Technical College.
Digital literacy for seniors is another innovative program that Literacy Chippewa Valley recently launched. Aryn says, “We go into senior centers and centers for military veterans and teach them how to use computers, send email and navigate the internet. It’s been very popular.”
LCV plans to launch workplace education classes soon, to be offered at a local dairy farm. The organization also offers English Language Learning classes, 1:1 tutoring and GED classes.
Literacy Chippewa Valley invited a former student to be a guest speaker at their annual fundraiser last year. Hazel Garay came to Wisconsin from Nicaragua two years ago and now promotes education for Hispanic women through her organization, Allied Visionaries. Hazel’s determination and success are inspiring. Her story is a powerful example of the importance of literacy.
Wisconsin Literacy is proud to support the programs offered by LCV’s small but mighty group of staff and volunteers. This support includes help with coordinating funding, providing continuing education for Literacy Chippewa Valley’s staff, assistance with tutor training and providing networking opportunities with other literacy organizations.
Literacy Chippewa Valley enjoys strong community support. “The longevity of our organization is a testament to that,” Aryn says.
