Celebrating Our Students: Literacy Source's 19th Annual Breakfast
"I strongly believe in education. Education gives you power to choose."
~Irma Arenas, Literacy Source Student

We hope you were able to join for our 19th Annual Fundraising Breakfast yesterday. It was a joyous time of celebrating learning, resilience, growth, and empowerment, and we are thrilled to announce that we are at $140,000 and counting! We know more donations are coming in and we look forward to announcing our final totals next month.

We heard student testimonials of how important Literacy Source is on their journey towards their goals, whether that be pursuing a phD, connecting with others, or finding ways to amplify their voices. It is certainly powerful to hear of how our team goes above and beyond in order to mitigate barriers for our students in a number of realms: from food to tech support to job search needs, we've listened to our student needs and responded in kind.

At Literacy Source we know that each of our students represents a whole world. And we are committed to partnering with students to a create new opportunities for themselves, their families, and the community. For example, one of our goals is to have a one-to-one student/device ratio so we can continue to prioritize the digital literacy skills that the pandemic has reinforced as a critical tool for so many of our students.

While our list of accomplishments and innovations over the past year is long and growing, so is our list of needs: In the 2019-2020 school year alone, we served over 1000 students, 98% of whom are considered low-income. And things are busier than ever! This quarter our classes are already full, even with the two new ESOL classes we've added to our roster. And keep in mind, all of the classes and services we provide are free of charge to all students.

Literacy Source depends on the generous donations of individuals like YOU to thrive. So if you able but have not yet donated, it's not too late! You can make a financial donation or provide wish list items - or we even have a vehicle donation option! Find out more here.

We are so fortunate to have an amazing group of supporters like you who help us have the resources we need to ensure all of our students can learn. As you heard directly from so many students at the virtual breakfast yesterday, you truly are helping to change lives.

In community,              
 Cat Howell
 Co-ED, Educational Director
Shira Rosen 
Co-ED, Managing Director   
New Staff Spotlight: Welcome, Cory!
Cory Goldhaber recently joined our team as the Citizenship Program Manager. Read on to find out what drew her to Literacy Source and why she's passionate about working with individuals to gain US citizenship.
1. How were you first introduced to Literacy Source, and why are you excited to work for Literacy Source?
 
In graduate school I had interned at World Relief and the International Rescue Committee in Seattle, where I got to help newly arrived refugees navigate life here. I’ve done a lot of different things in my life, but those experiences stood out as some of the most rewarding. Years later, when I found myself again with time to offer as a volunteer, I was looking for an organization working with refugees and immigrants. I saw notices about Literacy Source at the local library and looked it up. The second I walked into LS I could tell what a diverse, supportive, vibrant community it was, both in terms of the students and the staff. I was hooked!
 
2. Do you have an experience that you can share about working with students pursuing citizenship?
 
My first role at Literacy Source was as a tutor for an Ethiopian man who was preparing for his citizenship interview. He had a wonderful sense of humor and working with him was such fun. For him, as is true for many of our clients, the most important thing wasn’t learning the answers to the 100 questions—he had those down, it was just practicing conversational English. He would tell me about his family and his life, and we’d talk about the history of our country and of Ethiopia. We also started a tradition where each session he would teach me a word in Amharic at the end of each session, and then he’d quiz me the next session before I got to learn a new one. It was great to reverse the teacher student roles! We worked together for many months, and his particular application was tricky enough that I got interested in learning about the legal aspects of the naturalization process. Without that experience I don’t think I’d be here today. I still have the voicemail message he left me to tell me he’d passed his interview. It was thrilling! 

3. What drew you to working with aspiring new citizens?
 
I am drawn to US citizenship work in particular because citizenship is inherently empowering. To be a citizen is to have the rights and responsibilities many US born people take for granted. The right to not worry about being forced to leave the country you call home. The right and responsibility to have a vote, and therefore a voice in the shaping of our country. I am constantly inspired by the courage, hope and wisdom exhibited by the clients with whom I work, and I am excited about the ways they will help shape this country. It’s an honor to get to be a part of their journey.
 
4. Why are you excited about this role, and what do you hope to accomplish? 
 
Literacy Source is a place of hope, opportunity and community. With the anti-racist work of the organization and the changing policy landscape of the country, Literacy Source is poised to be a part of exciting things in the coming years. I am eager to help expand the Citizenship Program in particular, by expanding our outreach efforts.

Welcome to the team, Cory. We're excited to have you!
Writing While Masked: Seattle Women Reflect
Seattle Times
Literacy Source is excited to feature Writing While Masked: Observations on 2020, a book of poetry and essays written by a group of Seattle women about the turbulent times of the past year. All of the proceeds from the book go to Literacy Source!

Says one of authors, Beth Weir: “It’s been such a trying year, so outside of everybody’s experience, and I think the book is one way we were coping with this tsunami of events: the pandemic, the Black Lives Matter movement, the election. It just kept coming and coming." This was a way for the women, all of post-retirement age, to connect and shift their energy from despair to action. Read more about the book in the Seattle Times feature.

If you'd like to purchase a copy, you can do that online here, or in person or at any of the following WA book stores:

  • Third Place Books Lake Forest Park
  • Third Place Books Ravenna
  • Pegasus Book Exchange in West Seattle
  • Paper Boat Booksellers in West Seattle
  • Phinney Books
  • Lopez Bookshop
  • Vashon Bookshop

Meskerem Ayale Memorial Fund
It is with a heavy heart that we announce that one of our beloved former team members, Meskerem Ayale, passed away recently.

Meskerem worked with us as an Employment Case Manager in 2019 and we are deeply saddened to learn of her passing. She was a wonderful coworker and will be missed. She is remembered as warm, friendly, and generous in her time and commitment to supporting our students. 

Marisa Parshotam, a former colleague and friend of Meskerem, remembers their time together at Literacy Source: "I absolutely loved working with her and some of my most fond memories at LS are of going on lunch breaks together, collaborating to support students, and just simply chatting as our desks were across from each other. She was passionate about working with students in a variety of situations and really gave them her full attention in whatever unique needs they had. I remember she supported many students with housing and jobs - she loved helping the community and our students adored and appreciated her."

Our hearts go out to Meskerem's family and friends. A memorial fund in her name has been created on GoFundMe - please consider donating to support her family and 4-year-old son. 

Community Support
We are so thankful for those who were able to those who went above and beyond in their generosity. Your support ensures that Literacy Source can continue to thrive!

  • Justin Voskuhl
  • Roberts Family Foundation
  • Ann Dalton
  • Theresa and Jeff VerWey
  • Pradipta and Saranga Komanduri
  • June Chang
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.