THE LITERACYWORKS CENTER IS CHANGING LIVES AND THE NEED IS GREAT
SOME PROGRAMS PROVIDE JUST A BAND-AID, BUT THE CENTER CREATES REAL LIFELONG CHANGE
Once again, it's hard to write our traditional year-end grateful list with so many in our community struggling. However, we, the Literacyworks staff, are still very thankful for many things this year, including
Our 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.
OUR Staff: Thanks to our talented Center staff: Chris Schultz and Rita Sorpranith
AND YOU: We are incredibly grateful for all the Literacyworks supporters, both anonymous and public, and that includes you!
Literacyworks helps 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.
Happy Holidays. See you next year!
Paul Heavenridge
Executive Director
STUDENT VOICES
"My name is Adriana, and I am a blind student at Santa Rosa Junior College. These times of Pandemic have been very difficult for me because a year ago, on September 5, I got very sick with COVID-19. Fortunately, at the moment, I am at home enjoying good health and taking online classes, hoping to meet soon in person with my classmates. I have been in the Literacyworks program for three years, which has helped me a lot to achieve my educational goals. Because before joining this program, it was very difficult for me to be able to afford the transportation expenses to go to school & now with the money I receive from the program scholarship, I can pay for transportation to school and buy some school supplies that I need. Thank you, Literacyworks, for helping me achieve my dreams. And thank you to Literacyworks Center supporter Graton Rancheria for helping me succeed."
"As a mother of five children, I would like to be a role model for them and show them that life is not easy, but they can make their dreams possible and their goals reachable by furthering their education. I have no words to express the gratitude I feel for this program. Thank you so much!"
"I thank God for having you in my life at the right time. I truly appreciate your help. Thank you, because this helps and encourages me to push myself even more to make my dream of becoming a nurse come true. This opportunity shows that anything can be achieved if we work hard and that there are people like you who help us to achieve our goals. Thank you so much for helping students have brighter futures."
"Thank you for giving me the opportunity to continue my education. Without your help it may not be possible. Improving my education will help me to get a better job, help my children with their homework, and most importantly, I'd like to give my children an example of how important education is to reach your goals."
A WORD ABOUT THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC ON OUR STUDENTS
Our low-income students are among the most vulnerable in our community when suffering during a disaster.
During this last fire, SRJC was closed for a week. Now, going on the second school year in a row, our students have to adapt to attending classes completely through technology because of the Pandemic. Many of our students are suffering a loss of income and housing. Our staff offer additional support services to ensure they stay in school and complete their course of study. We are proud that most have persisted and remained.
The Pandemic's stress and costs take a physical and psychological toll on our students. During our student interviews, we have found that health literacy and access are still among their top concerns. In response, we provide our students' resources such as Health Resources workshops at the SRJC Student Health Services and The Petaluma Health Center. Students learn about accessing and utilizing healthcare resources on campus and in the community, including mental health services.
2021 YEAR-END CAMPAIGN
We've launched our 2021 Year-End Campaign. Our goal is to raise $25,000 to keep receiving the donor's scholarship funding by matching it with staff and operations funding. This will allow us to reach our goal of helping motivated low-income low literacy adults get on our program each semester in 2022.
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.
