January 2019
In this Issue:
  • Thanks to You!
  • Join #GladICanRead
  • Farewell to Steve Sparks
  • Meet the New Health Literacy Director, Stan Hudson
  • ELL Students Interview Volume One “Star” at Literacy Chippewa Valley
  • Meet Maria and Jack from the Literacy Council of Sheboygan County
  • Member Spotlight: YWCA Southeast Wisconsin
  • Dollar General Literacy Foundation Grants
  • WLI Southeast Regional Scholarship for Postsecondary Ed Available
Wisconsin Literacy News
Thanks to you!
In 2018, Wisconsin Literacy had its most impactful year ever all thanks to you! More learners obtained their GED, more students were served, and more people have access to easier to read prescription labels.

The work couldn't happen without you. Your support through membership, direct services, and gifts changes throughout Wisconsin.

Wisconsin Literacy is excited to see what 2019 will bring.
Join #GladICanRead
At the heart of what we all do is helping people have better lives through literacy and education. Last year, Wisconsin Literacy shared why our staff, board, members, and donors were #GladICanRead. The message resonated so well that we are going to extend it into the New Year.

Amplify the importance of literacy for everyone: join us in sharing why you, your volunteers, and learners are also #GladICanRead. It is simple:
  • Have a white board with #GladICanRead at the top
  • Have the person write what they are #GladICanRead
  • Take a photo

You can use the template frame provided here, post the photo on your social media (please tag Wisconsin Literacy and use the hashtag), and/or send the photo to Liz Fitzpatrick to post and tag your organization.
Farewell to Steve Sparks
Wisconsin Literacy says farewell to Steve Sparks. Steve began work over 5 years ago as the Health Literacy Director and his impact has been nothing short of incredible. The growth that Wisconsin Health Literacy has experienced under his leadership has put us on the national map of excellence in the field and boosted the overall name recognition of Wisconsin Literacy, Inc.

Wisconsin Literacy wishes Steve well on his future adventures.
Meet the New Health Literacy Director, Stan Hudson
Wisconsin Literacy welcomes the new Health Literacy Director, Stan Hudson, MA, who has been the Associate Director of the Center for Health Policy, University of Missouri since 2009. Prior to that he held positions as a Program Associate, Project Director, and Senior Health Policy Analyst all at the UM Center for Health Policy. He also worked for the University’s School of Medicine, Department of Health Management and Informatics as a Research Assistant and before that a Legislative Assistant in the MO State Capitol. 

Stan is well known nationally in the Health Literacy field for his work toward creating health literacy standards in schools of medicine and for professional certificates for those working in the field. He was recently selected by the National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine to deliver a paper for a Health Literacy Roundtable Workshop on Making the Business Case for Health Literacy. He also teaches Social Justice in Health courses at UM and has done training in Racial Justice at the university and in school districts. He is a Certified Diversity FaciliTrainer (CDFT).

We look forward to working with Stan and continuing to grow the Wisconsin Health Literacy division.
Member News
ELL Students Interview Volume One “Star” at Literacy Chippewa Valley
You most often see articles in Volume One and Chippewa Valley Family magazines written by staff members like Managing Editor Tom Giffey. However, on Monday, Nov. 5th, the tables were turned, and Tom and the magazines became the subject of the interview. This all occurred at Literacy Chippewa Valley when Tom was invited to speak to the intermediate and advanced learners in the English Language Learners (ELL) Class.

Success Stories
Meet Jack and Maria from the Literacy Council of Sheboygan County
Jack, Maria, and their four children waited 8 years to immigrate to the United States from Zambia. Then both Jack and Maria worked for 5 more years on their English and Citizenship through the Literacy Council of Sheboygan County.

On November 1, 2018, they became U.S. Citizens. Jack says this about living in American, “You’re free. You have rights. You are safe—that’s a freedom. You go anywhere you want.”

Member Spotlight: YWCA Southeast Wisconsin
YWCA Southeast Wisconsin's mission is to eliminate racism and empower women and it is at the heart of all they do. 

The individuals who go through their HSED program have a life-changing experience that gives them confidence and the tools to succeed.

Resources and Funding Opportunities
Dollar General Literacy Foundation Grants
Adult Literacy Grants

The Dollar General Literacy Foundation awards funding to organizations that provide direct services to adults in need of literacy assistance in one of the following areas:

  • Adult Basic Education
  • GED or High School Equivalency Preparation
  • English Language Acquisition

CLICK HERE to apply for a 2019 Adult Literacy grant.

Deadline to apply: February 21, 2019 by 10pm CST

Grant announcement: May 9, 2019

Maximum grant amount: $15,000

Please click the link below for a list of the 2018 grant recipients.

Family Literacy Grants

Nonprofit organizations who support the whole family in literacy and are seeking funding are encouraged to apply if they provide the following:

  • Adult Education Instruction
  • Children’s Education
  • Parent and Child Together Time (PACT)

CLICK HERE to apply for a 2019 Family Literacy grant.

Deadline to apply: February 21, 2019 by 10pm CST

Grant announcement: May 9, 2019

Maximum grant amount: $15,000

Please click the link below for a list of the 2018 grant recipients.

Youth Literacy Grants

Schools, public libraries, and nonprofit organizations who help students who are below grade level or having trouble reading are eligible to apply. Grant funding is provided to assist in the following areas:

  • Implementing new or expanding existing literacy programs
  • Purchasing new technology or equipment to support literacy initiatives
  • Purchasing books, materials or software for literacy programs

Applications for 2019 grant proposals will be available February 28, 2019 and will be due by May 16, 2019.

Please click the link below for a list of the 2018 grant recipients.

WLI Southeast Regional Scholarship for Postsecondary Ed Available
The Wisconsin Literacy - Southeast Regional Scholarship for postsecondary education offers awards through the Anne Marie Pawelke Scholarship Fund and the Nancy Fink Endowment Scholarship Fund to GED/HSED graduates who plan to attend a program of study at an accredited postsecondary institution. Scholarships of $1,000 (in two, $500 increments) may be awarded.
Thank You
Please send any of YOUR news that you think would be of interest to other members for the February 2019 e-news to  info@wisconsinliteracy.org.
 
Thank you for your support!

Wisconsin Literacy is a proud member of:
Wisconsin Literacy | (608) 257-1655 | info@wisconsinliteracy.org | wisconsinliteracy.org