HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM THE LITERACYWORKS STAFF!
Traditionally, we offer our Literacyworks "Top Ten List" (in no particular order) of all the great things that happened in 2022 and a few more for which we are grateful. But this year, besides our wonderful community supporters, we are most thankful to our outstanding students and how they have persevered. So we are presenting some of their stories instead.
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
As the Fall semester comes to a close, the pressure of final exams is gone. Our attention can turn to the holiday season and just some time to relax. This semester was the first time in two and a half years that the Literacyworks Center’s traditional support services were provided due to the lifting of Covid restrictions. In addition to the scholarship support, we could reach out to students with small group meetings, phone calls, and one-to-one interviews conducted via Zoom or face-to-face. It is from these experiences that we come to know our students better and come to understand the many challenges they face.
To be a part of the Center program, a student must be low-income and read below college level [what we define as low literacy]—adding to the challenges of working to support themselves and their families. Center students are the first in their families to attend college and have little understanding of the culture of college and how to succeed. Inflation, food costs, transportation, and, most of all, rent create tremendous pressure on these adult learners.
But what is truly remarkable, as we meet with these folks, is that they are upbeat, positive, optimistic about their future, and dedicated to improving their lives through education. Here are a few of their stories:
One mother made it to college-level English 10. She was so pleased with what she had accomplished. She wants to be a writer, both in English and Spanish. She has two teenage children that are ‘her life.
Going through a challenging divorce and the death of a family member were almost more than she could handle.
She works the night shift at a factory and cleans houses on weekends to stay financially afloat. She told me her dream is to transfer to a four-year college. When asked what motivates her to keep going, she said, “I want to be someone in the world. I want to make a difference so my children will be proud of me.”
A very proud 41-year-old man has been working on completing his GED and is ready to start General Education classes. He has three kids. He cannot work at this point due to a severe accident on the job. After going through so many surgeries and medical procedures, he wants to consider a career in some aspect of medicine. Based on my conversation with him and his abundant self-confidence, I believe he will make it.
So many of our interviews show an extraordinary strength of character and resilience in the face of tremendous challenges. One young woman is deeply engaged in the culinary arts program. Her goal is to open her restaurant one day. Keeping up with her three children’s school schedule and working while taking classes sometimes creates stress. She said, “I can do it because I can see my future. It is good for my family and me.”
Our next story is about a young man taking a higher-level English as a Second Language class. He is doing well, but there is never enough time.
He works full-time in a factory.
He wants to study auto technology and maybe become an airplane mechanic. His challenge is the lack of time between work, school, and caring for his mother. ‘Taking care of my mother is the most important thing. He ended the interview by saying, ‘I could not be here without Literacyworks and you. I appreciate it.
Another young man is studying English and is doing pretty well. He didn’t have money for the books until he got his scholarship. Now he is doing better. He lives with three other men and works as a day laborer in a nursery, and his job is inconsistent. He cannot always make it, so he is looking for a better job. He gets food on campus from the ‘Food Pantry. He wants to be successful but doesn’t always see how. He was very thankful for what the program could provide.
The following student is taking lower-level ESL classes. Her 12-year-old daughter helped translate for the interview and did a perfect job.
The mother works part-time selling cakes. Money is a significant issue. The whole family was impacted by Covid – out for three weeks. When asked what motivates her, she said, “My family, to give my kids the best life I can.” Then she cried and thanked Literacyworks for all the help.
Last story for now. A young single mom lives with her two-year-old son and her mother. She does not work because of the demands of a full academic load and providing care for her son. While going through her pregnancy, she experienced a sonogram that intrigued her.
So, her current career path might be a radiology tech or a nurse. Both programs are competitive, but she can do it from what I have seen.
It is a pleasure to share some of the rich and heartfelt stories that help define Literacyworks Center's purpose. Please have a wonderful, warm holiday, and appreciate what you have.
~ Chris Schultz, Literacyworks Center Director
In 2022, Literacyworks was part of a successful National competition for an AmeriCorps grant. Starting in September, the Initiative began to recruit CA library literacy programs to have Americorps members provide the services.
California Library Literacy Services Americorps Initiative
This Initiative is a collaboration between several different entities. AmeriCorps is a federally-funded program administered in California by California Volunteers, the State Commission charged with engaging Californians in service, volunteering, and civic action to tackle our state's most pressing challenges. The Pacific Library Partnership is the grantee and fiscal agent. Literacyworks is the primary entity that will communicate with sites and manage the Initiative's day-to-day programming and sites' financial/contractual aspects.
The Literacyworks AmeriCorps project staff will closely cooperate with California State Library/CLLS staff to support libraries and their literacy programs as comprehensively and seamlessly as possible. The Site Agreement is with Literacyworks, a nonprofit that has worked closely and successfully with the State Library and CLLS programs for decades. The CLLS AmeriCorps Initiative programming and training are provided by Literacyworks AmeriCorps staff. We wish to emphasize that Literacyworks AmeriCorps will be the first and primary point of contact for libraries and literacy programs.
Americorps Vision: The best of America
America was founded on a promise of opportunity. When we build stronger communities, we help make this promise a reality, for every individual to succeed. Especially in times of adversity, we find the courage to unite and overcome. Helping our communities prosper, head on and together. It’s what AmeriCorps is built for: bringing all Americans together. Working alongside each other for the betterment of every community. Ensuring that everyone gets the help they need, and the opportunities they deserve. AmeriCorps is your chance to be a part of something bigger.
SUPPORT OUR STUDENTS!
As we near the end of each year, we traditionally share with you the accomplishments of the Literacyworks Center and our students and ask for your continued financial support.
As part of our current Literacyworks Center population, we have seen an ever-growing need for working with two groups of students aged 18-24: Latino ESL learners and foster youth. Our program assists them in staying in college. They are primarily first-generation college students. Also, because of the hardships caused by the Pandemic, we are increasing our outreach to our students to help them find housing, food, and mental health resources.
We are asking you to support a student or more. It takes $3,000 a year to enable Center students to reach their goals and stay in school for a full academic year. We do whatever it takes to help our adults succeed in college, but we can't do it without you. Your gift of any amount creates meaningful change for our students, families, and communities. All of our adults are low-income, low-literacy members of our community and are the first in their families to go to college. Many are parents. Their perseverance in reaching their educational goals encourages their children to excel in school and follow their example to attend college.
