Literacyworks is changing lives.
Some programs provide just a band-aid, but Literacyworks creates real lifelong change.
HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM THE LITERACYWORKS STAFF!
As our tradition, we offer our Literacyworks “Top Ten List” (in no particular order) of all the great things that happened in 2019 and a few more for which we're grateful. But first, our featured student.
Student Spotlight: Noemi
The Center supports 110 remarkable students that are working hard to improve their lives through education. One young woman, Noemi, has a remarkable story of achievement and boldness.
She started the Literacyworks program after finishing her GED. She then enrolled in ESL (English as a Second Language) classes. She worked extremely hard balancing part-time work, raising two children, and going to college. Her husband was briefly in the program but had to stop out because he had to work to support the family financially. Noemi progressed into college-level classes taking full advantage of the support and tutoring services at Santa Rosa Junior College. She attended all of the Center workshops and individual meetings, sharing openly about the challenges and rewards of being in school. Noemi spoke with pride about how she was modeling to her children the value of education. At our most recent one to one interview, she reported that she would be graduating from the SRJC with an Associate’s degree at the end of this fall semester and transferring to Sonoma State University in January 2020. She plans to become an elementary school teacher. Noemi has agreed to be a member of the Literacyworks Center’s Alumni Group.
“I am very thankful for this program. I feel that you really take care of us. Even though there are many students in the program, you take time to talk to us one on one and that support is invaluable. Thank you so much for everything!”
- Noemi
OUR LITERACYWORKS 2019 “TOP TEN LIST” STARTING WITH #10:
#10. Our Center participants: This 2019 Spring and Fall Semesters, 220 of our adult students received our Adult Literacy Awards to help them persist in school and progress on their educational goals. Needless to say, we are proud of all our students who have overcome huge barriers to be the first in their families to attend college and persist in their educational goals.
We have collected comments from our students about the Center. Here are a few:
“I feel very fortunate to be in Literacyworks because you have become part of my family.”
“Being part of this program for several years has really helped me in so many ways. A huge thanks to everyone. Chris and Rita are always checking up on us, asking how our classes are going and providing help in whichever way they can. Literacyworks always does a fantastic job providing workshops that give us information on services and resources that we benefit from.”
“Words would not be enough to say what you guys do. It’s just amazing what you do for all of us and I am glad that I have the chance to meet with really important people like you.“
“I feel like the program keeps me motivated to continue with my studies. I feel like they really care about us.”
“The Center is amazing. This program gives us the keys to open the door to opportunity and success. We have the opportunity to get a better education to improve our knowledge and achieve our goals. I am so lucky; thanks for all your support!”
“Literacyworks has helped me both emotionally and economically. The support regardless of age and the diversity are some things I particularly value. I have not found another support system like this in my educational years.”
“Literacyworks Center is a college student’s dream come true. This program provides so much support and resources that students need to be successful. The constant check-ins, financial help, and the resources they provide make it easier to be a student. They motivate you to keep going and make sure their students excel academically and motivate us to follow our dreams.”
#9. Congresswoman Lynn Woolsey: Lynn continues to be our biggest supporter. She is our Literacyworks Center founder/partner and Honorary Board Chairperson.
#8. The Literacyworks Center: 2020 will be the Center’s 5th year of operation. Some of our Center’s accomplishments to date:
• Provided $942,000 Adult Literacy Awards scholarships* to over 750 low-income, low-literacy students
• Achieved less than a 10% dropout rate each semester (90% retention), well under the 60% average dropout rate for community colleges for this at-risk population
• Increased acceptance by our students to certificate and associate programs and even four-year college programs. As of Fall 2019, our graduates have achieved 14 AA/AS associated degrees, 12 transfers (to 4-year universities UC Berkeley, UCLA, Sonoma State, Sac State and San Jose State), 59 certificates, and 51 GED completions.
*All Adult Literacy Awards scholarships come from a family foundation and go to benefit our students. No scholarship funding is used for program funding
#7. Literacyworks Lectures: Another great series of speakers in 2019. Thanks to our staff, students, volunteers and many sponsors who make this fundraising event inspiring. We are booking, with our partner Copperfield’s Books, our 2020 speakers as we speak. Stay tuned!
CONGRESSWOMAN JACKIE SPEIER
January 7, 2019 - Copperfield’s Books PetalumaDAVE EGGERS & MOKHTAR ALKHANSHALI IN CONVERSATION
January 13, 2019 Petaluma Veterans Memorial HallCHERRIE MORAGA
April 26, 2019 Copperfield's in Santa Rosa (Montgomery Village)DAVID BROOKS
May 2, 2019 Copperfield’s in PetalumaROGER MCNAMEE
May 10, 2019 Copperfield’s Books PetalumaJOSE ANTONIO VARGAS
November 9, 2019 Copperfield’s Books Petaluma
#6. Parents as First Teachers: Engaging Families to Increase Children's Literacy program: Literacyworks Parents as First Teachers: Engaging Families to Increase Children's Literacy program works with low-literacy, low-income bilingual parents and children through a combination of access to resources in the home and the community and by training parents in the basic skills to encourage their children to become avid readers. The goal is to help our parents view their parenting role in a positive manner, have appropriate expectations of their children's achievements, prepare their children with the necessary skills to be successful in school, and establish and maintain positive relations with community resources, including libraries, schools, and community groups. The Sonoma and Marin library branches are interested in offering the program in 2020.
#5. Literacyworks Board: We sincerely appreciate the support and wisdom of our Literacyworks Board: Elizabeth Howland, President, William Soper, Treasurer, and Gloria Cruz McCallister. Plus thanks to our Honorary board members: Congresswoman Lynn Woolsey, Honorary Chairperson; Peter Coyote, actor, author, director, screenwriter and narrator; and Greg Sarris, writer, academic, and Tribal Chairman of the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria.
#4. Founding Friends of the Center, the Friends of the Literacyworks Center and Program Partners: Again in 2019, many people and organizations helped to make Literacyworks and the Center successful including Santa Rosa Junior College, Center Point, North Bay Children’s Center, West Marin Community Services (Pt. Reyes Station), the Friends of the Literacyworks Center and our Center donors, both individuals and organizations, including Codding Foundation, Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria, Marin Community Foundation, Bank of Marin, Community Foundation Sonoma County, Dollar General, KRCB, The W Foundation, Sobel Communications, Fishman Supply, Bank of Marin, Westamerica Bank, Amy's Kitchen, Redwood Credit Union, Arrow Benefits Group, and Schwab Charitable Giving.
#3. SRJC: The Petaluma and Santa Rosa campus staff and administration have been very supportive of the Center with particular thanks to Dr. Frank Chong, President/Superintendent; Rachael Cutcher, Manager of Scholarship Programs; Cathy Prince, Dean of Instruction & Strategic Program Development; Beatriz Camargo, HEP Program Coordinator Enedina Vera, HEP recruiter; Dr. Jane Saldana-Talley, Vice President of Academic Affairs/Assistant Superintendent; Dr. Matthew Long, Dean of Student Services; Dr. Catherine Williams, Dean of Instruction and Enrollment Management; and Yesenia Rodarte-Hurtado, ELL Outreach Coordinator.
#2. Staff: Thanks to our talented Center staff: Chris Schultz and Rita Sorpranith.
#1. YOU: We are especially grateful for all the Literacyworks supporters, both anonymous and public, and that includes you!
Literacyworks is helping underprivileged and underrepresented adults secure better jobs, become better parents, and contribute more to their community. Thanks for all your support this year and next.
Paul Heavenridge
Executive Director
2019 YEAR-END CAMPAIGN
We’ve launched our 2019 Year-End Campaign. Our goal is to raise $25,000 to keep receiving the donor’s scholarship funding by matching it with funding for staff and operations. This will allow us to reach our goal of helping 110 motivated low-income low literacy adults get on our program each semester in 2020. We can’t do it without your help. Will you make a gift? To make your donation now, go to http://www.literacyworks.org/donate or contact Rita at rita@literacyworks.org to be mailed a remittance envelope.
