Dear Friends of Literacy,

It’s hard to believe that another year is almost over. Soon we will be moving on to our 41st year of helping adults improve their literacy and English language skills. We will continue working diligently toward our vision of a Delaware where all adults have proficient literacy skills to thrive at work, home, and in their communities.

We have grown from a library reading program to a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with programming for multiple literacies. Serving learners surrounding Wilmington has expanded to serving learners statewide. Focusing on reading has grown to investing in multiple literacies – health, financial, information, digital. Literacy is vital for greater equity, inclusion, and advancement in our world today.

Looking ahead to 2024, there is much we must do. It is distressing that from 1983 to 2023, adult literacy remains a crisis in our country and Delaware. The good news is that 2023 has seen an incredible visibility and advocacy movement in adult literacy. From our six statewide screenings of the documentary film The truth about reading.* * The Invisible Crisis Hiding in Plain Sight, to Governor Carney signing a statewide proclamation that September is Literacy month, and the work of the Delaware Literacy Alliance, I am convinced that our vision is possible. But, it is only possible because together, we are committed to recognizing and supporting the literacy skills adults need to thrive.

All the best to you and your family throughout this holiday season and peace and happiness in the new year!

Very Sincerely Yours,

Cindy

P.S. IT’S BACK!!! Mark your calendars NOW and plan to join us on Friday April 19th at Christ Church Christiana Hundred for the return of our fun SCRABBLE fundraising event, SCRABBLE Along the Brandywine!

Welcome New Board of Directors Member Daniel Harris

Daniel is the Store Manager for the New Castle Walmart at the Wilton Boulevard complex, and Field Director for the Eastern United States for Community Engagement.

Overcoming adverse life circumstances to earn his Bachelor of Science degree in Business Leadership and Management, Daniel has had the ability to lead vast, diverse, and complex teams throughout the country.

Through his work over a decade of his career, Daniel has established community partners to include local and state governments, the Armed Forces, local/state/federal First Responders, Boys and Girls Clubs, and the YMCA. Speaking with elected officials, community leaders, organizations, and all individuals and showing by our "actions" Walmart, as a global leader; is truly a "store of the community" explains Daniel.

Passionate about individual and community sustainability, growth, and development, Daniel has been humbled and honored to represent the Delaware State Police as a Centennial Honorary Commander, and ensure the highest standards are upheld for our community.

Congratulations to the 2023 Janet Neville Loper and Edward Loper, Sr. Meritorious Service Award winner, Kathy Nachbar

Kathy exemplifies the Loper's involvement with and financial support of Literacy Delaware. She has been involved with the organization for over 20 years as a volunteer tutor, a member of the board of directors, and the gift basket coordinator for our annual SCRABBLE fundraising event. She has opened up her home on many occasions to host soirees inviting friends and neighbors to learn more about Literacy Delaware. Kathy’s support has remained steadfast throughout this time and we are thrilled to have presented this year’s Loper Award to a most deserving Kathy.

The Janet Neville Loper and Edward Loper Sr. Meritorious Service Award was established in 2008 and is given annually to a volunteer. Janet Neville Loper was a member of the initial volunteer tutor training class in 1983. In addition to tutoring, Janet also helped with clerical duties in the office for many years. Her husband Edward Loper Sr. donated autographed prints of his artwork for prizes at fundraising events.

Literacy Delaware Awarded Quality Insights 50th Anniversary Grant

Literacy Delaware is proud to announce our selection as one of the winners of Quality Insights' 50th anniversary grant program, which was created to support promising and innovative initiatives to improve health and healthcare quality.

The grant focuses on developing a health literacy education program for dialysis patients and their families to close the health equity gap.  

The main goal of this program is to improve patients' understanding and management of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) by providing them with the skills and tools necessary to navigate their journey through CKD.

Literacy Delaware was chosen among numerous applicants from across the nine states and territories where Quality Insights facilitates quality improvement initiatives.

Welcome Luz!

Luz Vidal has been a learner with Literacy Delaware for the past 5 years. Thanks to a generous grant from the Arsht-Cannon Fund, Luz joined our staff as Learner Coordinator this past fall.

Hello, my name is Luz Darys Vidal. I'm from Colombia and I live in USA since 2014. In my native country I was worked as medical laboratory science and now I am working hard because I want to obtain my certification here.

I consider myself as a charismatic person, and one of my passions is to help people and motivate persons to grow, to see always how many opportunities have from and how important is to take a smart goal.

Thanks Literacy Delaware for give to me these opportunities to be part of this amazing family.

Elbia Works Hard

Elbia has been working very hard squeezing in her English lessons between working at her two jobs. Her hard work with her tutor Michele, as well as her participation in a conversation group, has really paid off. “I feel like I have improved my English” and I “feel more comfortable getting more English” when she talks with others, she says.

Her tutor Michele “explains things very well” during their lessons, says Elbia. She particularly likes sharing words she encounters that she doesn’t know in conversation group. Improving her English has “helped me a lot in my life” explains Elbia. “When I go in my job, I can understand what the manager wants me to do” better. “Now when I go to a store where they speak English, I can say exactly what I need!”

At work, in the dietary department of a senior center, Elbia enjoys using her improved skills to better understand and to talk with the residents. Aspiring to become a dental assistant, Elbia is applying to a program at Wor-Wic Community College.

“Some people feel depressed because they don’t understand English. It’s hard. I appreciate that Michele and Teresita help me to get more English.”

Keep up the hard work and continued success, Elbia!

Governor Carney Signs Literacy Proclamation

Governor John Carney visited the Wilmington Library to declare September as Literacy Month in Delaware! Joined by First Lady Tracey Quillen Carney, Director of Delaware Libraries and Literacy Delaware Board of Directors member Dr. Annie Norman, and Secretary of Education Mark Holodick, we are pleased with the support for improving literacy rates for all Delawareans.

Interested in tutoring or know someone who might be interested?

We are always looking for new volunteer tutors to help our adult learners achieve their goals! For more information visit www.literacydelaware.org/tutors and to apply to be a tutor.

Upcoming orientation and training dates; all orientation and training is conducted online.

Tutor Orientation - Thursday February 1, 6:30 – 8:00 pm

Training – Thursdays February 8, 15, 22, 29 6:30 – 8:30 pm

We need YOU!