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As members of the Literacy Source community, we are all familiar with just how important teachers are in our lives! Working with adult learners in particular brings a unique set of challenges and rewards, and we would like to take a moment this Teacher Appreciation Week (May 2-6) to give a heartfelt THANK YOU to our amazing instructors who dedicate their time and expertise to partnering with our students to create new opportunities for themselves, their families, and the community. See below for our Give Big campaign, just one of the many ways you can support our educational programming and show our teachers that we see the magic of the work they do!
Welcome Note
“The American dream belongs to all of us."
~Kamala Harris, Vice President of the United States

Dear Literacy Source Community,

What is the American dream? The term was coined in 1931 by John Truslow Adams, when he said "life should be better and richer and fuller for everyone, with opportunity for each according to ability or achievement" regardless of social class or circumstances of birth. This sentiment is at the very heart of Literacy Source's mission and values, which is why we strive to foster an inclusive and multicultural space in which all cultures, traditions, social identities, and ways of knowing are respected and welcomed. We also understand that while individuals are more than just their home country or their culture, having a safe space to share who you are without fear of repercussions can be infinitely important for our community members.

May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, and it is important to acknowledge both the history and the contributions of these communities. Asian and Pacific Islander Americans have faced a number of barriers and injustices, evidenced by such acts as the Chinese Massacre of 1871, Executive Order 9066, which resulted in the internment of Japanese Americans during World War II, to more current waves of Anti-Asian sentiment. And yet the contributions of Asian and Pacific Islander Americans abound, from the building of the transcontinental railroad to serving as the first Asian American Vice President of the United States.

At Literacy Source, where nearly a quarter of our students self-identify as Asian, we are so thankful for the contributions they make to our community. And, as Judy Kuguru, our Case Manager and contributor to our Community Cookbook, puts it, "sharing a meal with someone, eating and drinking together behind the same table - is one of the most important manifestations of sociality in all cultures." We couldn't agree more! So we thought to share with you a few of the recipes our from our students who identify as Asian, so that you can augment your own kitchen with their contributions!

  • Jojo was introduced to making Sum Tom salads by her sister and mother in Thailand. She enjoys cooking it together with friends when they come visit.
  • Zheng shares her recipe for Guoqiao Mixian, otherwise known as "Crossing the Bridge Noodles", is a traditional Yunaan food that is hot and spicy.
  • Sun Hwa remembers her special memories from her home in Korea each time she makes this Fried Rice recipe her mother would make for their family.

We feel lucky to be a part of a community that believes not only that it is never too late to learn and grow from people of different cultures and backgrounds, but that the American dream of a fuller and richer life for everyone is a goal worth striving for.

In community,
 Cat Howell
 Co-ED, Educational Director
Shira Rosen 
Co-ED, Managing Director   
Introducing Our New Ready to Work Instructor!
We'd love to introduce you to the newest member of our team, Niusha Shodja, who has joined as our Ready to Work Level 3-4 instructor. As you likely know, Ready to Work (RTW) is a comprehensive program providing opportunities for people learning English to work towards economic self-sufficiency. Classes are held four days per week, featuring a workforce-readiness curriculum that includes career exploration, job-hunting skills, work-based communication, digital literacy and planning for next steps in employment or education.

Read on to find out more about Niusha!
What drew you to Literacy Source, or why are you excited to work for us?

I am excited to be working for an organization with which I share the same vision and my values line up. It is refreshing to be a part of a team where the students it is serving is the core focus, and to be a part of an organization that works towards equity in the community.

Why are you excited about this role, or why do you think the role/this work is important? What do you hope to accomplish?

I hope to give my students the necessary tools and skills for them to feel empowered and confident in accomplishing their goals.

What do you do in your spare time?

​I love to spend time outdoors, whether that's walking my dog, reading in the sunshine, paddleboarding in the summer, or snowshoeing up a mountain in the winter. I am drawn to the physical and emotional complexity of combat sports, in particular boxing and more recently jiu-jitsu. I also love to cook and explore new foods and ingredients!

We are so thankful to Niusha and all our wonderful instructors for their dedication to learning and growing with their students!
Literacy Source's 2022 Give Big Campaign
Dear Friends and Supporters of Literacy Source,

Thanks to everyone who gave early to our GiveBig Campaign! Your generosity has helped us raise $1,165 so far. We're happy to say we have an ace up our sleeve for the rest.

Our good friends at Walsh Construction have laid down a matching challenge for everyone. Starting today, all donations will be 100% matched until we reach their matching goal of $1500. If we fill this match, we would be very close to reaching our 5k goal!

Today is the final day to join in this campaign, so let's help put our student's in the driver seat by getting our Driver's Ed class started. Start your engines, let's GiveBig.
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.