NovemberNEWSLETTER | 2025 | | | | World Kindness Day is a great reminder to ask how you can share the love, because, really, what is the world more in need of right about now? Celebrated annually on November 13, here are some ideas for how to spread kindness to those around you. | |
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November is Native American Heritage Month, a time to honor the rich histories, cultures, and ongoing contributions of American Indian and Alaska Native peoples. Here in Seattle, we are fortunate to live and work on the ancestral lands of the Duwamish people — a truth we acknowledge through our ongoing commitment to pay Real Rent in recognition and support. Throughout the year, our staff share stories that deepen this understanding, such as the healing waters of Licton Springs and the launch of Salish Sea Tours, a Native-owned and designed experience that shares the living history of our region’s first peoples. We also honor the work of Bernie Whitebear, whose leadership and vision helped found the Daybreak Star Cultural Center—a vital community hub offering employment training, educational support, and social services, as well as cultural workshops, art exhibitions, traditional gardens, and spaces for gathering and celebration.
That same spirit of learning, belonging, and community growth extends to our classrooms this fall. In Citizenship, students are studying U.S. civics and history; Ready to Work learners are preparing for job interviews and new career paths; and GED and Academic English students are writing essays on civic participation and social issues. Across every class, our students are strengthening their voices, expanding opportunity, and building the skills that create a more inclusive and connected future for all.
As we celebrate the histories and contributions of American Indian and Alaska Native peoples, we also celebrate the shared humanity and learning that take place every day at Literacy Source, a community where more than one thousand adults from 75 languages and 64 countries came together last year to build brighter futures. At our recent staff and board retreat, we reflected on that shared purpose and began shaping plans for the organization’s future growth. We are grateful for everyone—students, volunteers, and supporters—who make Literacy Source a place where learning, respect, and community thrive together.
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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Volunteer Spotlight: Ian E
This month we are pleased to feature a long-standing volunteer, Ian Evison, as our Volunteer Spotlight. Bringing his experience from the renowned Literacy Minnesota Program, Ian joined Literacy Source in 2021 and since then has donated 660 hours as a tutor and as a Conversation Partner!
From serving as a Unitarian Universalist minister to teaching the concept of Trick or Treat to one of the students he's tutoring here at Literacy Source, there's no shortage of interesting facts about Ian's life. You can read his entire interview here.
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"Each time I help with teaching and each time I tutor someone, I know that at least I have shown a sense of warmth and welcome to those who are too often excluded and marginalized."
~Ian E
| | The National Digital Inclusion Alliance (NDIA) has filed a federal lawsuit challenging the Trump administration’s cancellation of $2.75 billion in Digital Equity Act funds—money that was meant to expand internet access and digital skills training for millions of Americans. The repeal halted years of planning and forced states and nonprofits to lay off staff and cancel programs supporting low-income adults, seniors, veterans, and others. NDIA argues the administration’s action is unconstitutional since Congress had already approved the funding. The outcome of this case is critical for organizations like Literacy Source, who rely on digital access and skills-building to ensure equitable learning opportunities for all adults. | |
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New Staff
We're excited to introduce our Americorps staff member for the 2025-2026 school year, Amelia Stockdill!
| | I’m ecstatic to be joining the Literacy Source team as the 2025-26 AmeriCorps Program Assistant. Over the course of this year, I will be learning to manage an ESOL Level 1 class while working as a class assistant and tutor for a variety of other classes and levels. I began volunteering at Literacy Source one year ago in the evening conversation class online. During that time, my day-to-day job was growing repetitive and exhausting, but spending 1 ½ hours each week teaching wonderful students alongside wonderful volunteers was invigorating and filled me with so much joy. | |
| Even as a remote volunteer, it was immediately obvious to me that the staff and volunteers at Literacy Source care so much about the students and how to best create an accessible and inclusive environment where they can be successful. This has inspired me to continue working at Literacy Source in a new role, allowing me to apply my love for language, linguistics, and teaching to helping adults in Seattle! | | Advocacy Opportunity: Participating in the 2025 Budget Process | | |
The City of Seattle 2025 budget process invites residents to get involved through committee meetings, public hearings, and written comments, either in person or remotely. It outlines key dates for budget deliberations, hearings, and votes, and explains two types of amendments—Council Budget Actions (financial changes) and Statements of Legislative Intent (policy guidance).
To find out more about how you can participate in the process, visit Seattle City Council's Budget Basics Page or email council@seattle.gov to share your input and help shape Seattle’s 2025 budget.
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| If you want to understand more about how budget allocations could impact Literacy Source, you can listen to a recording of our Co-ED, Cat Howell, speaking at a recent Seattle City Council meeting. She speaks at about the 18:20 mark. | | |
It’s Time to Prepare Your Year-End Donation
As the year comes to an end, we want to thank all our generous donors!
Together, your support provided classes to 1,016 adult learners this year, giving each of them a place to dream, learn, and reach their goals.
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A note about 2026 tax law changes:
Tax laws are set to change in 2026. Depending on your situation, you may wish to “bunch” your donations, meaning make your 2026 or 2027 gift in 2025, to take advantage of current tax rules. Please consult your financial advisor to determine what’s best for you. And please let us know if this is something you’ll be doing.
Year-end donations must be made or postmarked by December 31, 2025, to count for the 2025 tax year. Tax receipts will be emailed in January.
And finally, keep an eye out for your invitation to our Stay at Home Tea!
It’s arriving this month by mail and email as we celebrate being “Steeped in the Joy of Literacy.”
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Now Hiring!
We are currently hiring for a Community Programs Project Manager.
You can learn more and apply here.
| | Ready to engage further with Literacy Source? | | To make a difference in the lives of others | | To invest in something that makes a lasting impact | | To have a strong and thriving workplace | | | | |
