SeptemberNEWSLETTER | 2025 | | | | Sept 15 to Oct 15 is National Hispanic Heritage Month. With Spanish as the second most common first language among our students, honoring Hispanic history and accomplishments is central to Literacy Source’s culture of celebration. | |
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Happy National Literacy Month! Literacy is at the heart of everything we do at Literacy Source, so this month is especially meaningful. The 2025 theme, “Make reading a joyful part of everyday life,” speaks to how literacy transforms not just individuals, but families and communities. When adults build stronger reading, writing, and math skills, they open new opportunities for themselves—whether that’s finding a job, advancing in school, or engaging more fully in civic life. And in turn, their families benefit: parents who can read to their children, help with homework, or model a love of learning nurture the next generation of successful and empowered learners.
As we step into a new school year, we also reflect on the incredible progress our students made this past year. Improving reading, writing, or math was the second most commonly met goal among our learners, and for over a quarter of students, it was their primary goal. From raising CASAS reading scores and mastering new technology like Zoom and Google Classroom, to writing stronger paragraphs and learning how to type math symbols, our students are demonstrating every day that literacy changes lives.
Looking ahead, we remain committed to maintaining healthy programming as outlined in our 2022–2025 Strategic Plan. With growing waitlists for our classes, new partnerships forming, and our students reaching milestone goals, we know how vital our work is—especially as funding cuts from the current administration make sustaining programs more challenging. More than two-thirds of our students are women pursuing opportunities they may not have had in their country of origin, and many arrive with only a 5th- or 8th-grade education. Yet with the support of Literacy Source, they are writing complex sentences, achieving career goals, and moving into higher education levels. This growth is worth protecting, and we invite you to celebrate literacy with us this month by helping ensure that these opportunities remain available for every learner who walks through our doors.
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: Sally Z
We are excited to highlight Sally Z. as our volunteer spotlight this month. Sally has been a volunteer at Literacy Source for the last 4 years and has successfully tried her hand at a number of roles. Currently she facilitates one of our conversation classes at the center, is a conversation partner at the New Holly library class, and tutors a student in the ESOL 3 class! We deeply appreciate her commitment, thoughtfulness, and willingness to help.
You can read more about what brought Sally to Literacy Source—as well as what she loves about this community—here.
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Expanding Partnership with Seattle Public Library
We are excited to be growing our partnership with Seattle Public Library! In addition to the existing conversation classes we provide for them both online and in-person, we will be adding one new conversation class at South Park branch (Saturdays at 1:30), and two leveled ESOL classes at the Central library (Level 1-2 and 3-4) starting this fall.
We are thankful for the continued partnership with SPL, and the ability to add more options for students at this time of such high demand. You can read more about the partnership expansion, made possible by the Carnegie grant, here.
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| Adult Education & Family Literacy Week | September 14–20 marks Adult Education & Family Literacy Week, a time to recognize the transformative impact that literacy has on individuals, families, and communities. At Literacy Source, we see every day how reading, writing, math, and English skills create lasting opportunities for adult learners and their families. This week is also a chance to learn more and get involved: TESOL's Government & Community Resources and COABE's Educate and Advocate Week provide a variety of resources to better support adult learners and build a more literate, equitable future. | |
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Back to School Campaign: Protect Uninterrupted Access to Education
We’re raising $35,000 to ensure stability this school year.
Your support keeps classes going, even when federal funds are delayed, reduced, or cut; a growing reality for community-based programs like ours.
We’ve raised $13,000 so far. Will you help us reach our goal?
Last month we had a candid conversation about federal funding changes: how it affects us, what we’re doing, and how you can help.
If you missed the Lunch & Learn live, Navigating Federal Funding, here’s a link to view it.
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Welcome New Board Members!
We'd love to welcome two of our newest board members, Mohna Shah and Dale Wadman.
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Mohna, a certified public accountant, moved to Seattle in January 2024 and began volunteering with Literacy Source's online conversation circle in May 2024. She has since joined the finance committee and brings a deep expertise in investment operations and regulatory compliance to her position as treasurer.
Dale oversees operations and communications at Washington Research Foundation, which includes managing the WRF Venture Center and leading the Foundation’s marketing and public relations efforts. He assisted Literacy Source’s Space Committee during its recent search for new premises.
You can find more information on Mohna and Dale on our bios page.
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Advocacy Update: Americorps Funding Status
AmeriCorps funding that had been threatened by severe federal cuts has been fully restored following a multi-state lawsuit led in part by Washington Attorney General Nick Brown. The Office of Management and Budget agreed to release over $184 million nationwide, including more than $21 million for Washington programs in 2024–2025. While this is great news, the long-term stability of this funding is uncertain, so we remain cautiously optimistic that moving forward, AmeriCorps can continue to deliver vital community services in their roles at Literacy Source.
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Now Hiring!
We are currently hiring for ESOL, Citizenship, or Ready to Work ESOL Instructional Advisors for fall 2025 (Full and/or Part- Time positions available).
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 | | | | |
