Carl is from Haiti and speaks French (as well as Creole and some Spanish!). Thanks to his hard work, his English is advancing very rapidly. He began last semester in a Basic English class, where he initially spoke very little English. He is currently one of the most advanced students in Level 1, and will soon begin personal tutoring as well. He will be in Level 2 in no time! 

Carl works at Target, and was recently asked by his manager to serve as an interpreter for a new French-speaking employee during orientation. Congratulations on your amazing progress, Carl!

Literacy Network is pleased to announce that, in conjunction with local nonprofit Centro Hispano, we have received a grant from United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) for our collaborative citizenship programming. This is the first time the national grant has been awarded specifically to support Dane County residents in the U.S. naturalization process. This year, just 65 other organizations received funding nationwide.

Both Literacy Network and Centro offer services to eligible Lawful Permanent Residents seeking assistance with the U.S. naturalization process. Literacy Network provides free classes and tutoring on civics and English language to prepare applicants for the naturalization test and interview, while Centro offers free legal services to assist with the application process. With the support of this new grant, the nonprofits will be able to collaborate to broaden and strengthen their services for even more immigrants in Dane County.

“More than 11,000 people living in Dane County have Lawful Permanent Resident status and are eligible for citizenship. Barriers to citizenship include limited English proficiency, lack of information and familiarity with the naturalization process, fees associated with naturalization, and lack of legal resources,” says Literacy Network’s Executive Director Robin Ryan. “This grant enables Literacy Network and Centro Hispano to focus on our respective areas of expertise, expand language instruction and legal services, and create a unified service network for people applying for citizenship.”

Centro’s Executive Director Karen Menéndez Coller (pictured above with Robin during a recent NBC15 interview discussing the collaboration) adds, “We've had a partnership for many, many years. [Literacy Network provides] incredible work when it comes to citizenship support and complements our immigration services that we have at Centro, so it just felt like it was the right time […Need] is only expected to grow. Immigrant communities in Wisconsin are the fastest growing community."

Congratulations to students Judith (L) and Sonia (R) on taking the next step in their educational journeys! Both are Altrusa scholarship recipients who enrolled at Madison College this fall. Sonia started a degree as a professional interpreter and Judith is getting a certificate in Essentials of MS Office and plans to get her associate degree in administration.

Altrusa International of Madison is a women’s service organization with a particular focus on literacy. The Madison group has partnered with Literacy Network since 2018 to help make it possible for our students to pursue continued education through scholarships. Altrusa International is actively seeking volunteers to help evaluate and award grants! Learn more at https://www.madisongives.org/nonprofits/altrusa-international. Interested? Contact Cheryl for more information: cmfdaniels@gmail.com

Last call for applicants! Help employees learn English on the job with this exciting position! The full-time Workplace English Instructor & Program Manager provides instruction and partnership coordination for our ESL workplace literacy programs.

Learn more and apply by 11/15 (today!).

This year's GivingTuesday is November 28! Our 2023 theme is "I'm Ready!"

We're excited for a day full of photos and videos featuring students sharing what they're ready to do with their improved literacy skills, whether it be get a promotion or make a phone call without an interpreter.

Watch for more information in the coming weeks on how you can support students during this international day of giving.

Literacy Network has again been named a top-rated nonprofit by GreatNonprofits.org based on endorsements from volunteers and donors! Some comments from 2023 reviewers:

• "I have volunteered with this program for six years, and have watched lives change through the power or education. It has changed my life as well." 

• "I've learned about another person and their country, as well as things I never considered about my native language through teaching it."

Read all the reviews and add your own here.

Literacy Network has also earned the Candid Platinum Seal and a four-star rating on Charity Navigator. Additionally, it is a 2022 recipient of a Library of Congress Literacy Award and was awarded a 2023 Incentive Grant by the Coalition on Adult Basic Education.

Please consider monthly and planned giving. Find out more here.