October is National Book Month, so as the seasons change and we welcome cooler, rainier weather, what better time to celebrate literacy? Here are some ideas for activities to honor a tradition we all hold near and dear. Happy reading!
Welcome Note
Photo from WKMG ClickOrlando
Dear Literacy Source Community,

With our fall quarter up and running, it's a busy time at Literacy Source, but we're never too busy to celebrate our students! September 15 - October 15 is Hispanic Heritage Month, and with Spanish being the most prevalent home language of our students, it's one great way to celebrate Hispanic culture.

Here are some facts you may not know about Hispanic Heritage Month:

  • Hispanic Heritage Month starts on September 15 for a reason: it's the anniversary of independence for Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. (Mexico's independence day comes just one day later, on September 16, and Chile's is on September 18).
  • Hispanic and Latino/x are not the same thing: "Hispanic" refers to people who speak Spanish and/or are descended from Spanish-speaking populations, whereas Latino/x refers to people whose descendants are from Latin America.
  • According to 2020 census data, Hispanics made up nearly one-fifth of the US population, which makes it as important as ever to celebrate their culture and achievements!

There are so many cultures represented by individuals who speak Spanish, and everyone, including the team here at Literacy Source, can benefit from learning more! So here are some resources that may be helpful as you think about the value of this topic.

Resources:

As supporters of Literacy Source, we know you value and celebrate diversity, so how can you celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month? Expanding your recipe book, learning some Spanish phrases, or adding literature by Hispanic authors to your to-read list are just a few ways to continue your journey of lifelong learning.

In community,
 Cat Howell
 Co-ED, Educational Director
Shira Rosen 
Co-ED, Managing Director   
Literacy Source's Annual Report
"The teachers, office workers and everyone at Literacy Source
are very good and I love them all very much."
~ Woudalat, Citizenship Student

If fall has you wanting to curl up with a good book, why not curl up and read our annual report while you're at it! Although as we are all too aware, the past year has presented its fair share of challenges, there have certainly been reasons to celebrate.

Here are some highlights from Literacy Source's 2020-2021 school year:

  • We served 544 students at our center and partnership programs.
  • We had a 97% student retention rate (retention rate refers to students who remain in class until they reach their goal). This is the highest retention rate we've had to date!
  • They logged 46,419 hours of classroom and tutoring instruction.
  • We helped to bridge the digital divide by distributing 138 Chromebooks, and 80% of our students achieved digital literacy gains.
  • Our students ranged in age from 19-86.

Thank you so much for the part that you played in making this year a success! If you'd like to read more, click below:
Meet our Newest Board Members!
As you know, our board members are important contributors to the success of Literacy Source. Their support and guidance make our work possible.

We'd love to introduce you to two our newest board members, Gabrielle Douthitt and Craig McCook.
Gabrielle Douthitt

Director of Healthcare Operations and Nurse Practitioner

Gabrielle has been a nurse practitioner and healthcare leader for over 20 years, working in non-profit systems locally as well as internationally. Her primary focus has been supporting families experiencing injustices and inequities in healthcare. Gabrielle earned her Master’s in Public Health and Community Medicine as well as her Master’s in Nursing from the University of Washington. Gabrielle believes in the importance of lifelong learning, and maintains a faculty appointment at the University of Washington. She has been a local leader in the integration of healthcare and schools, leading the evolution of school-based health centers in Seattle. She became deeply involved in the care of people with sickle cell disease, and is a strong advocate for the rights of families who immigrated to this country to find health care or better their lives. Currently, Gabrielle is the director of 2 regional pediatric clinics and is looking forward to bringing her leadership and advocacy experience to Literacy Source. When not working, Gabrielle enjoys spending time in her garden-farm, hiking, or traveling.
Craig McCook

Director of Finance

Craig began his career in the Peace Corps where he trained and consulted with subsistence farmers in Latvia. He later continued working in international development, running a non-profit incubator in Azerbaijan which provided small grants and training to local organizations under a USAID grant. Many of the organizations he worked with were staffed by and in support of a large local refugee population, and Craig found it rewarding to work with people whose personal stories were at once challenging and inspirational. Craig has an MBA focused on international development, and has a strong interest in languages. He speaks Latvian, Russian and German, and has lived abroad in Latvia, Azerbaijan, Germany, Slovenia and Austria. For the past twenty years, Craig has worked in strategy and finance roles in the Seattle area, and he's eager to have the opportunity to again work to assist immigrants and refugees in his community. Craig enjoys hiking, camping, paddle-boarding and hanging out with his family and friends.
Welcome, Gabrielle and Craig! We're excited to have you join the Literacy Source team!
International Literacy Day & Adult
Family Education Week
Digital Inclusion Week is upon us! An annual campaign that highlights local digital inclusion organizations and events that promote digital equity across the country, Digital Inclusion Week aims to raise awareness about solutions that can bridge the digital divide in such realms as home internet access, personal devices (computers) and local technology training and support programs.

As many of you know, Literacy Source plays a key role in providing digital access to our students: from chromebooks to individualized digital literacy support, we understand how important it is to facilitate the ability of all individuals to access and use information and communication technologies.

If you are interested in getting involved in Digital Inclusion Week, here is your cheat sheet for raising YOUR voice this year.
 
So fire up your smartphone or tablet, and get ready to share the excitement of Digital Inclusion Week with the world!
Trivia Night!
Save the date for trivia night with Literacy Source! It will be online, Tuesday, November 30th 2021.

More updates to come!
Thank you, donors!
Many thanks to our donors who went above and beyond this month:

  • Anne Helmholz
  • Charlie Best
  • Judith Debel
  • Mary Horan
  • Merrill and Frances Ringold
  • Pearl Baker

We couldn't do this work without YOUR support!
Literacy Source is on the traditional lands of the Duwamish people, and we pay our respect to elders both past and present. To support the revival of Duwamish culture and the vitality of the Duwamish Tribe, please consider signing this petition to federally recognize them, or consider making a donation to Real Rent Duwamish.