This week, LSW celebrated 87 new HSED graduates! This impressive achievement speaks to a variety of factors in its success. Firstly, our staff and volunteers have made a definitive shift to effective online programming and continue to build on the benefits of the format. Secondly, online programming is creating additional opportunities and breaking down barriers for many of our students so they can achieve their goals. Lastly, it is clear that the need for our programs only continues to increase across Southeast Wisconsin. 
As we reviewed our growth in program enrollment, considered the effects of the current public health crisis and its long-term impact, and recently refreshed our guiding principles, we mapped out 2021 with the same thoughtfulness and intention that we always bring to our Student-First decisions. I would like to share an overview of a few transitions that the organization will implement this summer:
Layton Center will be closing in June. Due to the ongoing nature of COVID-19 and the fact that Layton Center is situated within an assisted living facility, we have decided that we must reevaluate our approach to physical and virtual spaces and be more intentional about our presence on the south side moving forward. Rest assured, LSW will continue serving students in the Layton Boulevard West neighborhood and the south side of Milwaukee. When MPS reopens at capacity, LSW will still be collocated at South Division High School. The programming will not stop. In fact, we are hoping to partner with additional community-based organizations that align with our mission to reach even more potential students interested in our programming.
Layton Center staff and full operations will be moving to the downtown location, which will essentially serve as a hub for learning during the 2021-2022 program year. Rather than simply dividing up the downtown center by program area, we will be creating multi-functional spaces for learning to occur safely in a COVID-19 environment. Staff are planning for this move and reorganization as a team, while implementing appropriate program activities in a collaborative way. Our hope is to begin prioritizing students who need in-person learning the most and open up for limited-capacity one-on-one tutoring in September.
David Peters will be leading LSW’s newest program offering at the Milwaukee County Jail. LSW was awarded a corrections grant from the Wisconsin Technical College System that will begin in July. LSW is working closely with David and the leadership team at the jail to ensure a smooth transition.
LSW will be hosting another round of virtual informational sessions with additional details and plans this June. Watch your inboxes for the opportunity to register and learn more about these and other LSW initiatives next month! 

COVID-19 has been challenging in many ways. The changes outlined here are necessary and will only continue to provide increased opportunities for LSW students now and into the future. As always, I truly appreciate your support, patience, and love as we navigate growth and ongoing improvement in uncertain times. 
Virtual Commencement Ceremony
Keep the celebration going! Our virtual commencement ceremony on May 10th was filled with emotional and motivational words from student speakers and our keynote speaker, Alderwoman JoCasta Zamarripa. Now you can watch it all over again or join the party for the first time!
Get Your Team Together!
We're hosting our first-ever Virtual Trivia Night! Register today for a fun-filled night of trivia and prizes while supporting Literacy Services. Play with your team in-person or virtually to compete against other supporters of adult education.
Events & Closures
Download a printer-friendly PDF of our events calendar! Click the calendar button to get a quick view of our planned closures, student breaks, and events.