- Meet Olabisi from Adult Learning Center
- Adult Learning Center: Wrap-Around Support for Success
- Congratulating New American Citizens
- Meet Steve Mundt, New Board Chair
- Welcome New Board Members
- Thursday Morning Coffee Break: Engaging in the Intercambio Network
- Thursday Morning Coffee Break: Using TABE Online
- How to Run Your ProLiteracy and Wisconsin Literacy Reports Using Achieve
- Save the Dates for the Fall Conference, Strengthen Health Insurance Literacy, and the Journey Through Literacy
- New FCC Emergency Connectivity Fund to Help Schools and Libraries
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All of Us Digital Literacy Projects Resources
- Failing Forward: Learning From Mistakes on the Journey to Anti-Racism
- West CAP is hiring an AmeriCorps VISTA Literacy Leader
- Senate Legislation Aims to Close Digital Divide and Promote Digital Equity
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Meet Olabisi from Adult Learning Center |
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Olabisi Ajibade joined the Adult Learning Center (ALC)’s virtual GED classes earlier this year. She passed three GED tests in three months!
"It's improved my understanding of how to use computers," she noted about her virtual classes. Olabisi can earn her GED while also learning practical life skills--like computer and technology basics.
These skills will continue to help her move forward with her goals well after she’s earned her GED.
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Adult Learning Center: Wrap-Around Support for Success |
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The Adult Learning Center (ALC) successfully created and implemented online class instruction since the COVID pandemic started.
To bridge the technology gap their students faced, they provided basic computer and technology skills training and a safe and accessible environment for students to either use technology onsite or borrow what they need to participate from home.
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Congratulating New American Citizens |
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As we celebrate the founding of our country, Wisconsin Literacy wants to congratulate all the new American citizens this year.
Despite pandemic obstacles, literacy students continued in their lessons, passed their citizenship tests and became new U.S. citizens.
Congratulations to everyone who achieved this special goal!
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Meet Steve Mundt, New Board Chair |
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Welcome to Steve Mundt, Commercial/Farm Ranch Operations Manager from American Family Insurance, as Wisconsin Literacy's new board chair.
Steve shared with us why he supports literacy and the work of Wisconsin Literacy: "It is so important for us to read to live our dreams. Wisconsin Literacy is out in the community making resources available to adults and families through literacy agency members."
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Welcome to Our Newest Board Members |
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Welcome Olayinka Shiyanbola
Associate Professor in the Social and Administrative Sciences Division
University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Pharmacy
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"Literacy is important for individuals to engage in their community. It is a foundation for enhancing physical, social and mental wellbeing."
Dr. Shiyanbola is an Associate Professor in the Division of Social and Administrative Sciences at University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Pharmacy. Her research program advances the use of patient-centered interdisciplinary approaches to improve diabetes and related chronic disease outcomes, medication use and adherence, health literacy and health equity. She has over 12 years of experience in developing and implementing tailored medication use interventions for underserved populations.
Dr. Shiyanbola was a National Institute for Minority Health and Health Disparities Research Institute Scholar, NHLBI/OBSSR Randomized Behavioral Trials Fellow, NIH Mixed Methods Research Training Program Scholar, and Society of Behavioral Medicine Leadership Fellow. Her work has received numerous awards and recognitions. She is the author of over 50 publications in academic journals and over 100 scientific presentations including invited talks, symposiums, and seminars. Dr. Shiyanbola currently serves as a member of the National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine Roundtable on Health Literacy.
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Welcome Oscar Tovar
Staff Assistant for the Mayor of the City of Milwaukee
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“Education is important and it is an ongoing process and at Wisconsin Literacy they have the resources for individuals to improve and enhance their daily lives and those of their families.”
Oscar Tovar is currently the Staff Assistant for the Mayor of the City of Milwaukee. Oscar implements aspects of public relations, community outreach and constituent services to ensure positive and effective liaison services between the Mayor’s office and citizens of the city. He organizes, staffs and briefs the Mayor at public and private meetings and events throughout the city. He also serves as an Ambassador for the Mayor in the community in order to effectively represent the Mayor and his office. Oscar also serves as the Hispanic Community advisor to the Mayor on all concerns and issues that are affecting the Hispanic Community in local, state and federal legislation and laws.
Prior to working for the Mayor, Oscar was appointed by Governor Jim Doyle as the Southeastern Deputy Director for the Governor’s Milwaukee office. In this role, his office was responsible for overseeing the Southeastern part of the State covering seven of the largest counties in Wisconsin: Milwaukee, Racine, Kenosha, Walworth, Waukesha, Ozaukee, and Washington counties.
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Thursday Morning Coffee Break Series |
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Engaging in the Intercambio Network |
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- Thursday, August 5 at 10:00-11:00 am
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Register: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_nZIPRzvXQPyPplPciOugZQ
- For programs who use or who would like to start using TABE Online
- We will:
- walk through the set-up tutorials
- learn from programs who already use TABE Online
- brainstorm implementation strategies
- Wisconsin Literacy has a limited amount of TABE Online administrations for members to use in 2021-2022.
- Contact your Wisconsin Literacy regional staff member with any questions.
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How to Run ProLiteracy and Wisconsin Literacy Reports Using Achieve |
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When: Wednesday, August 4 at 10:00-11:00 am
Audience: Current Achieve users and those interested in the product
Tune into this presentation to find out how to run your ProLiteracy Membership and Wisconsin Literacy Demographic Reports using Achieve, an affordable cloud-based application built for the needs of community-based literacy agencies by literacy agencies.
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Save the Date for Upcoming Events |
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Save the date for our Fall Conference and Annual Meeting on October 5th.
Brew some tea, find a comfy spot, and join us for expert training and tips for educators, volunteers, and literacy program managers.
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Join us this September to strengthen your health insurance literacy.
Wisconsin Health Literacy is hosting a virtual professional development series for those who help patients, employees, and every day people understand the complexity of health insurance.
Strengthen Health Insurance Literacy: Improving access, understanding, and use.
Session topics:
- Communicating Health Insurance
- Health Insurance Numeracy
- Communicating Health Insurance with Seniors
- Health Insurance Equity
More details coming soon!
Special thanks to event sponsor WEA Trust.
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This September, join Wisconsin Literacy on a virtual "Journey Through Literacy" series.
Engage with a variety of experiences of people who have improved their lives through literacy.
Mark your calendars! More details to follow.
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Resources and Funding Opportunities |
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New FCC Emergency Connectivity Fund to Help Schools and Libraries |
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From June 29, 2021 to August 13, 2021, eligible schools and libraries can apply for financial support to purchase:
- connected devices like laptops and tablets,
- Wi-Fi hotspots,
- modems,
- routers, and
- broadband connectivity
These digital tools will be used to meet needs for off-campus use by students, school staff, and library patrons during the COVID-19 emergency period.
Find out more information about the program at emergencyconnectivityfund.org, including how to apply. You can call 800-234-9781 from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. ET for help with program questions. |
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All of Us Digital Literacy Projects |
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Wisconsin Health Literacy worked with the Network of the National Library of Medicine (NNLM) members and All of Us Community Engagement Network to create a Virtual Programming Series, a four-day discussion addressing the digital divide and sharing tips and tools for implementing digital literacy programming in diverse communities. |
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West CAP is hiring an AmeriCorps VISTA Literacy Leader |
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West CAP is recruiting a full-time Literacy Leader in partnership with AmeriCorps VISTA. You will help West CAP Literacy rebuild their Adult Literacy Program to recover from the impact of COVID-19. This one-year term position begins in August 2021.
To see full position description, download the full application.
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Failing Forward: Learning From Mistakes on the Journey to Anti-Racism |
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An excerpt from the article:
So often we spend a lot of time thinking about the mistakes that we make, both those we realize on our own and those that others point out. We can spend days replaying a scenario particularly when it is related to race or gender identity. Some describe it as minefields that they are fearful of saying the wrong thing. I want to liberate you and tell you that you WILL make a mistake and you will offend someone. When working in equity and inclusion and striving to build knowledge while moving forward it is important to have a framework of what to do when you make a mistake. This strategy allows you to make amends, to learn and to feel more courage to take risks and make mistakes in the future.
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Senate Legislation Aims to Close Digital Divide and Promote Digital Equity |
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U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Chair of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, Senator Rob Portman (R-OH), and Senator Angus King (I-ME) have introduced new bipartisan legislation to help close the growing digital divide in communities across the U.S.
The Digital Equity Act of 2021 would create new federal investments targeted toward a diverse array of state and local projects that promote “digital equity” so that all individuals and communities have the information technology capacity and know-how needed for full participation in our society, democracy, and economy.
The legislation would authorize $1 billion in federal grant funding over the next five years to support digital inclusion programs throughout the U.S., including improving online accessibility and providing digital skills training and education to low-income populations.
To be eligible for grant money, states must write a plan for addressing digital inequality. Nonprofits, community groups, and private sector entities acting in the public interest could apply for grant funding as well.
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Thank you for your support!
Wisconsin Literacy is a proud member of:
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211 S. Paterson St., Suite 170, Madison, WI 53703
(608) 257-1655 | info@wisconsinliteracy.org | wisconsinliteracy.org
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