In September, we are expressing our support of National African Immigrant Heritage Month -- a designation currently under consideration by Congress. This effort aims to recognize the manner in which immigrants from all 54 African countries have enriched U.S. history, and to honor their contributions and achievements. Some U.S. states, such as Georgia, have already passed resolutions recognizing September as African Immigrant Heritage Month, while officials, organizations, and community members across the country celebrate unofficially. In collaboration, we urge you to consider the important role that African immigrants play in your community today.
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Dear Literacy Source Community,
We are excited to celebrate African Immigrant Heritage Month by sharing the many successes of our African students. Our ESOL and citizenship students hail from Ethiopia, Eritrea, Tanzania, Somalia, Egypt, Cameroon and numerous other African countries. Many have seen improvements in their English this past year. Meanwhile, of the 34 students and clients at Literacy Source who naturalized during the 2021-2022 fiscal year, 20 were from Africa.
Unfortunately, our ability to provide continued support to these tenacious and hardworking individuals is at risk. While our citizenship program receives funding through the City of Seattle, our grant was renewed for the next five-year cycle at a lower amount. We are calling on all of our supporters to send a letter to Mayor Harrell, and have drafted a template containing pertinent details for your use. It will only take a few minutes of your time to copy, paste, and send it.
At Literacy Source, we have a robust citizenship program that includes classes preparing students for the Citizenship Test, staff who walk individuals through legal requirements, and volunteers who help prepare students for their interviews. Two of our key staff roles include Citizenship Program Manager Cory Goldhaber and Citizenship Instructional Advisor Kaeyoung Park. As we strive to keep pace with inflation and boost staff salaries, this need couldn’t be more urgent.
We are grateful for your ongoing support for our citizenship staff and students!
In community,
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Cat Howell
Co-ED, Educational Director
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Shira Rosen
Co-ED, Managing Director
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Interview: Literacy Source Student Marim Angada |
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Born in Sudan, Marim Angada arrived in the United States in May 2017 to be with her husband. She has been studying with Literacy Source since 2019, and has spent three class quarters preparing to take the Citizenship Test. Read on to hear more from Marim:
Can you tell us where you're from, and one thing you're proud of about your culture?
I’m from Sudan. I’m proud of my country because Sudanese people have nice hearts. For example, if you make a mistake, for them it’s easy to say, “It’s OK.” Sudanese people are very nice. They also respect each other a lot. My ethnicity is Ethiopian, but I was born in Sudan.
When is your citizenship interview? Is it already scheduled?
Not yet, but I submitted everything.
Do you feel like you’re ready?
Yes, I am ready.
How has the citizenship class helped you?
I feel comfortable when I talk with the teachers. Also, it makes everything easier for me, because English is my second language. For example, the names for presidents are hard for me. But in my class they repeat them every time. Also, they respect everyone. I love it. I make sure that I don’t miss any classes because I feel comfortable, really.
What are you most excited about in terms of becoming a U.S. citizen?
First of all, voting. And also, easier travel for me, because I have plans to visit my parents but my passport is expired right now. I need to be a citizen because it will be easier for me to go over there with an American passport. Everyone respects this passport. Also, freedom – we have rights for speaking, for religion.
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Help Us Advocate for Our Students |
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Our citizenship program received less funding than usual
from the City of Seattle. Find out how YOU can help change that!
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For the last few decades, Literacy Source has been funded through the City of Seattle under the New Citizenship Program to help students become citizens. The funding has allowed us to have a part-time staff member who meets with students to help them through the entire citizenship process. Our grant was renewed this year for the next five year cycle, but the amount is less than before. As our costs increase with inflation and we increase staff salaries, the lower amount is a challenge.
If you are a City of Seattle resident, can you please email Mayor Harrell and let him know we want an increase in funding? Follow this link to learn more and find a template you can use.
By Shira Rosen, Co-ED, Managing Director
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Literacy Source is pleased to share that our partnership with the City of Seattle has been recognized as part of the City's success in being named a 2022 Digital Inclusion Trailblazer by the National Digital Inclusion Alliance (NDIA). Literacy Source partners with the City on its Digital Equity Learning Network, which strengthens community providers and their impact. Read the full press release here.
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Celebrate Adult Education & Family Literacy! |
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National Adult Education and Family Literacy Week is September 18-24. Discover engaging ways to advocate, participate, and learn from the Coalition on Adult Basic Education.
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Literacy Source is seeking to fill full-time and part-time positions assisting our students and community partners.
Provide supportive and culturally relevant case management and navigation services to Literacy Source students.
Work part-time with employers and other community partners to develop a curriculum and teach adult basic skills to non-native English speakers.
More information and job descriptions on our website.
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Literacy Source is on the traditional lands of the Duwamish people, and we pay our respect to elders both past and present. To support the revival of Duwamish culture and the vitality of the Duwamish Tribe, please consider signing this petition to federally recognize them, or consider making a donation to Real Rent Duwamish.
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