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Letter from the Co-Executive Directors
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Dear Literacy Source Community,
During uncertain times in our country, we here at Literacy Source have worked hard to provide a sense of certainty in our students' lives. As political leadership and policy decisions shift, as we stand up to fight racism and injustice, and as we struggle with COVID-19 and the recession, we want students to know they can still count on Literacy Source for a reliable path to build better lives.
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Today, we see that students, volunteers, and staff are continuing to engage in learning, particularly around digital skills and communication in on-line spaces. Even though we don't know exactly what will happen in the coming weeks and months, we have hope for a better future. We are certain about our continued commitment to the community. Thank you for being part of that support.
Best Wishes,
Cat Howell
Co-ED, Educational Director
Shira Rosen
Co-ED, Managing Director
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Student Photo by Stefanie Felix
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You're Invited to a Special Literacy Source Event!
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You're invited...
We warmly invite you to meet Literacy Source's new leadership, learn how the organization is doing, and communicate directly with the Co-Executive Directors in a live Q&A session. This informational event is free and open to the public.
Virtual Tea with the Co-EDs
Cat and Shira on Literacy Source Today
Thursday, December 10, 2020
7:30 - 8:30 pm
Bring a cup of tea or the drink of your choice
Zoom link will be emailed to the RSVP list on December 8
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| Staff Spotlight: Ruth Diaz |
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Ruth Diaz
AmeriCorps Citizenship Program Assistant
As a relatively new staff member, what is your overall impression of Literacy Source's programs and students? The students are amazing. Each of my students come from a variety of ages and backgrounds and I find it fun to work with them on their skill sets and watching them accomplish each step they have made so far. When I first interviewed for Literacy Source I admired the effort of working with adult learners. It reminded me of when I was younger and I would tell my mom to get ready for class because I would teach her what I learned at school that day. My mom was an immigrant from El Salvador and when her visa expired as a refugee she did not have the knowledge or literacy skills to renew it. This led me to want to work with adult learners and continue a path in working with people who may have a similar story as my mom. Literacy Source programs accomplish these goals. I am very impressed with this program and hope to see it expand to many more regions in the future.
What are your students working on this quarter? This quarter the students are working on reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills for preparing for their citizenship interview. Each student is in a different level in these areas. Right now we are learning about the U.S. government.
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How have your students been feeling about the election?
One of my students spoke up about how they felt about the election - that it was stressful and why is American democracy the way it is. I informed them to not stress because we won't know until every vote is counted. Once we know who our president is, then we as a class or as a country can begin to take steps for a better future for ourselves.
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Volunteer Recognition: Cynthia Putnam
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Cynthia Putnam |
Congratulations! We are thrilled to announce that Cynthia Putnam was nominated for and won the 2020 WAESOL Sally Wellman Volunteer Excellence Award.
This is so well deserved. Cynthia is an amazing long-term volunteer who continues to contribute and grow her role here at Literacy Source. Currently, she teaches the Conversation Class, assists in ESOL 1, and tutors a student. Well done Cynthia, you are awesome!
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Correctional Education Virtual Circles
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Creative Tutors for Incarcerated Students
The Literacy Source tutoring team at King County Correctional Facility and Regional Justice Center have been unable to physically access the facilities to directly serve our incarcerated students since the start of COVID. So we've had to get creative!
We've held fortnightly Correctional Ed Virtual Circles with the aim of developing resources and sharpening tutoring skills. The volunteer tutors and Seattle Central instructors have made it a dynamic environment of safe space and growth, where we delve into models such as Trauma Informed Teaching and Social Emotional Learning. Tutors have been contributing to program development by writing how-to career guides for our students, researching re-entry partnerships, and creating testimonials.
Patty Foster, veteran tutor at both facilities, described the meetings as crucial in staying connected to the program: "The meetings were like taking a mini college course every two weeks with the suggested videos to watch (always interesting and thought-provoking), along with the list of questions that were discussed in the group. Meeting once in a while does give me hope we will be back."
We are thankful for the wonderful team of educators that have continued to stay connected (albeit as floating screen faces) during this unprecedented time, and look forward to continuing the program onsite when it is safe to do so!
- Liz Wurster, Correctional Program Manager
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Heartfelt thanks to the many individuals, businesses and foundations that have recently supported Literacy Source! A special shout out to: - Sheng-Yen Lu Foundation, for a $3,200 grant to provide Chromebooks for students to access classes and tutoring
- Norcliffe Foundation, for a $5,000 grant
- Ellison Foundation, for a $5,000 grant
- Seattle Mennonite Church, our neighbors at Literacy Source's learning center in Lake City, for a kind donation (and for being great neighbors!)
- Theresa and Jeff VerWey, for a generous contribution to the Stay at Home Tea
- Justin Voskuhl and Vy Chu, for a significant donation to the Stay at Home Tea
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