I enjoy getting to know each of my students. I am so impressed by how hard they work

and how determined they are to improve their skills so they can make a better

life for their family. I am honored to play a role in that. And I love getting to

know all of the staff at Literacy Source. Everyone is so helpful and positive.

~Volunteer at Literacy Source

We asked, and you answered - thank you! We received 46 responses to our Volunteer Survey last month, and while we are still in the initial phases of analyzing it all, we are excited to hear from so many of you that your experience with our students - whether as a one-to-one tutor or in the classroom - has been a meaningful opportunity for learning and growth.

From our conversations with students, we know there is no one-size-fits-all approach to education, so we are dynamic and iterative in our approach to what type of partnership works best for them - and for you. From pandemic-induced changes to the classroom environment, to updates to our classes and resources, we know that we ask a lot of you, which is why we want to make sure you have the training and support that you need. We appreciate the level of thought that went into your responses and will be considering it as we update our training and protocol for volunteers.

While we may be a (relatively) small organization, we are mighty, and that is due in no small part to your willingness to go the extra mile, whether that is through taking the time to provide a rewarding partnership with a student in need or taking time out from your busy schedules to let us know about your experiences with us. We appreciate YOU, and look forward to continuing to communicate about how we can best serve the needs of our students, volunteers, and staff in this ever-changing world.

In community,

Liz Wurster

Communications Coordinator

(If you didn't have the opportunity to participate in the survey, here's the final call! We've reopened it until end of day tomorrow, Nov 22.)

Gifts and Donations:

Giving/receiving gifts or doing special favors can obscure the line between a tutoring or teaching relationship and a personal one. Also, some students may feel that they can’t reciprocate, so please use good judgment. A small gift (for example, something less than $10 in value) in some cultures is a symbol of respect, and so can be accepted with courtesy. It is not acceptable for you to give gifts of money or valuable items to your student. If you want to give something make it a homemade gift instead. Your gift of volunteering helps empower students; it is a gift that will last a lifetime.

Thanksgiving Hours: 

We will be closed on Thursday 11/28 and Friday 11/29. Class Assistants please let your instructor know asap if you are not able to attend class on Wednesday 11/27. 

Last month, we shared some strategies for using language in a way that bridges divides. These strategies can be applied to conversations you have both inside and outside the classroom. This month, we want to build on that foundation, especially in light of the political shift that occurred earlier this month with the elections. We always want to make sure you feel supported in how to approach difficult situations with our students, and these simple Ground Rules slides can guide you in approaching these conversations.

As you know, our students have lived rich and complex lives prior to coming to Literacy Source, and both the way they view the current political environment and whether they want to discuss it openly may be different form student to student. The most important thing to remember is that at Literacy Source, we respect everyone's viewpoint. You may find your student will want to talk, in which case we encourage you to take care of yourself, set boundaries for your discussions, try to stay open, and listen without judgement. You may also find that they wish to express themselves in other ways or they may not want to talk about it at all.

We know that there are different ways of creating an appropriate space for students that are in different types of classes and have varying levels of comfort with English. For example, our GED class encourages academic discussions around these issues with evidence-based reasons behind their opinions. On the other hand, one of our students in our lower level ESOL classes brought a comfort food of donuts to express support and empathy in a way that perhaps their English language skills couldn't convey. Most importantly, we want to reiterate to students that while there may be very few places where they feel comfortable enough to share their opinions and thoughts, Literacy Source continues to be a safe space for everyone.

Literary Mixer: A Volunteer Social Event!

Tuesday, Dec. 3rd: 6:30 - 8pm at Lake City center

In the volunteer survey, some of you asked for more social events. Please come and share your love of reading at this fall volunteer appreciation event.

How it works: Bring a book! It can be an old-fashioned physical copy or the just the title of a book you would like to recommend. Have a drink and a snack, meet other volunteers, share your book review and get some great ideas for your winter holiday reading. We will send out a book list after the event. This time we will be joined by Shira Rosen, Co-E.D., Managing Director who will be sharing the floor plan of our new space and answering some of the questions you have.

We look forward to seeing you and appreciating your commitment to supporting Literacy Source students.

Setting Ground Rules 

Establishing a classroom or tutoring environment that welcomes student participation, sets up a culture of learning, and defines expectations and boundaries, takes planning and foresight. It’s important to set out your expectations and boundaries, and learn from your student(s) what helps them learn best and how they want to be treated. This is the foundation for creating a warm but demanding learning environment, with support for working through challenges.

First, it’s important for you to be clear about your role and your boundaries with your student. Here’s a great video provided by Sofie, the Literacy Source Employment Case Manager, on setting boundaries with your student, that really explains both how and why.

You can read the full teaching tip here.

Cat Howell, Co-E.D., Educational Director

We are looking for help in the following areas:

(1) Work Skills Tutors: Tutors to work with students who are looking for work and need help creating resumes, completing job applications, or interviews skills. Tutors work with a student for 10 weeks, 1 x 2hrs a week. Work Skills Tutor Job Description

(2) Computer Tutors: In-person, 1:1 tutoring helping with basic computer skills. M/W or T/Th mornings at the center.

(3) Front Office Assistant: Help at the front desk. Work would include customer service, light admin work, answering phones, signing students up for classes. Commitment would be as needed. 2 –3 hours shifts. Possible days/times Mon – Thursday, between 8am – 3pm. Front Office Assistant Job Description

(4) Moving Packers: The rumors are true, we will be moving across the street in the New Year (although there is no actual date as yet). We need help getting ready to move, sorting and packing boxes.

Can you help with any of these opportunities? Please email Caroline.

November starts our annual Stay at Home Tea.

The Stay at Home Tea is our year-end fundraiser. We invite you to reflect and celebrate. As you sip a warm cup of tea, immerse yourself in a good book, and think back on our year together. Keep an eye out for your invitation in the mail, our email updates, and social media posts.

As our volunteers- you are our strongest advocates for the work we do and the community we’ve created. We ask you to consider sharing our emails and posts within your communities, especially during Giving Tuesday on December 3rd.

We’d also love to see how you participate in the Stay at Home Tea. If you take a picture of you with your teacup or a good book you’re reading send it to Stacey, our Fund Development Director, and let her know if it’s ok to post on social media.

Call Your Representative to Oppose H.R. 9495

The House of Representatives is voting soon on H.R. 9495, legislation designed to fight terrorism funding. Section 4 of the legislation would allow the government to designate any nonprofit as a "terrorist supporting organization", and then require that organization to prove itself innocent. There are already mechanisms to prevent nonprofits from funding terrorism; this bill would duplicate them in a manner that is confusing and subject to abuse. Please call your legislators today! Urge them to protect the rights of nonprofits by opposing H.R. 9495.

• Angelina Bagnovets – Citizenship Class Assistant
• Kris Cromwell – Computer Class Assistant
• Polly Freeman – Conversation Class Partner

Literacy Source partnered with three individuals who became a new citizens in the past month: one each from Mexico, Pakistan, and Peru.

Congratulations!

This month we've switched it up and decided to recommend movies or TV shows from our staff instead of books. The them is Native American Heritage Month so these either center Native American voices and stories or feature Native Americans in important roles such as lead actor or director.

Gather

Staff: Caroline Socha

Reservation Dogs

Staff: Cory Ihrig-Goldhaber

Killers of the Flower Moon

Staff: Amy Kickliter

Rez Ball

Staff: Anshika Kumar

Rutherford Falls

Staff: Britt McCombs

Resident Alien

Staff: Darlene Lytle

Native Art Markets

Saturday and Sunday, November 23-24 & December 21-22, 10am-5pm (Daybreak Star Indian Cultural Center, FREE)

The Daybreak Star Indian Cultural Center proudly presents its Native Art Market, a curated exhibition and marketplace featuring authentic Indigenous artisans and their masterworks. This sophisticated showcase spans diverse artistic traditions from numerous tribal nations, encompassing meticulously crafted apparel, artisanal jewelry, traditional woodcraft, ceremonial drums, limited edition prints, and an array of other distinctive pieces.

The Native Art Market exemplifies the United Indians of All Tribes Foundation’s comprehensive initiative to empower and elevate Indigenous communities throughout the Puget Sound region and beyond. Our organization steadfastly upholds The Indian Arts and Crafts Act, ensuring the authenticity and cultural integrity of all works presented.

Tree Lighting Celebration at Westlake Park

Friday, November 29, 12-5pm (Westlake Park, Downtown, FREE)

Unwrap the holiday season at our annual Tree Lighting Celebration on Friday, Nov. 29! We’ll kick off the festivities at noon with family-friendly craft making, costumed characters and giveaways in Westlake Park. It all leads up to the main event at 5 p.m.: the lighting of the 45-foot holiday tree and the beautiful Macy’s star immediately followed by a spectacular fireworks show!

Robin Wall Kimmerer      

Monday, December 9, 7:30pm (The Great Hall at Town Hall Seattle, $7-$139)

Author of the sensational Braiding Sweetgrass—a book that forever changed nature writing—Robin Wall Kimmerer returns with The Serviceberry. A bold and inspiring vision for how to orient our lives around gratitude, reciprocity, and community, based on the lessons of the natural world, The Serviceberry is an antidote to the broken relationships and misguided goals of our times, and a reminder that “hoarding won’t save us; all flourishing is mutual.”

All tickets, with the exception of a limited number of Pay What You Can and complimentary tickets, include a copy of The Serviceberry: Abundance and Reciprocity in the Natural World. Books will be mailed by our bookstore partner to the ticket holder’s address.

Q&A with Colleen Echohawk.

Our next New Volunteer Orientation (via Zoom) will be on December 4 at either 1pm or 7pm. 

Potential volunteers are invited to register online here. 

Miss any of our past volunteer newsletters? You can access archived newsletters at the bottom of the Volunteer Resources of our webpage.