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| This August, we celebrate Black Business Month and the creativity and determination of Black entrepreneurs. Their journeys reflect the power of learning, opportunity, and community—values at the heart of Literacy Source. | |
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August often brings thoughts of the back-to-school season, and at Literacy Source, that includes adults, too. For 40 years, we've helped adult learners build the literacy, language, and digital skills that create lasting opportunities for themselves, their families, and their communities. As our Back-to-School Appeal gets underway this month, we're reminded that learning truly is lifelong.
As we celebrate our 40th anniversary, we are also reflecting on just how far we have come. What began in 1986 as an all-volunteer effort offering free one-on-one tutoring to a few dozen adults has grown into a trusted center for adult education serving more than 1,000 students each year. We invite you to watch our new history video, created for our anniversary luncheon, to see how one woman's vision became the Literacy Source community we know today.
That spirit of growth is very much alive this summer. We completed a record 90 summer-quarter intakes and now have 348 students filling 441 enrollments across our Center, Ready to Work, Seattle Public Library ESOL, and Seattle Children's partnership classes. Most classes are full, from core ESOL and citizenship to computer skills, academic English, math, conversation, grammar, and our second quarter of Book Club. We are also excited to offer a new College Bridge class with Seattle Public Library and a Cooking Matters elective in partnership with Hunger Intervention Program.
Forty years in, Literacy Source is still growing, adapting, and creating new opportunities for adults to learn, achieve their goals, and strengthen our community. We hope you'll celebrate this milestone with us and enjoy a glimpse of where we started, how far we've come, and all that lies ahead.
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Cat Howell
Co-ED, Educational Director
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Shira Rosen
Co-ED, Managing Director
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Class Spotlight: Democracy Voucher Program
"Participating for the first time helped me truly understand the importance
of civic involvement and having a voice on the city council."
~Angela, Democracy Voucher Program Participant
| | This spring, Literacy Source students partnered with the City of Seattle again to learn about the Democracy Voucher Program and develop projects that helped educate their communities about civic participation. Through this service-learning course, students built confidence as leaders while helping make local democracy more accessible and inclusive. As one student shared, “Being able to participate in these classes is not only beneficial for the students, but also for the community, and it helps strengthen democracy.” Click here to read the full story and explore the wonderful community projects created by our Student Leaders! | |
| Back to School Isn't Just for Kids | | |
For 40 years, Literacy Source has helped adults open doors through education. Today, the need is greater than ever. As adults across our community head back to school this fall, we're working to raise $50,000, our largest goal yet, to prepare classrooms and provide the instruction, technology, and student support that make learning possible. Your gift to our general fund helps create opportunities that strengthen individuals, families, and our entire community.
Will you help us welcome and support adult learners this school year with your donation to the Back-to-School Appeal?
| | Join Us! Lunch and Learn: The Conversations We're Not Having | | |
Every fall, conversations about education are happening, but the focus is always on children.
As you know that thousands of adults in our community are working to improve their reading, writing, English, digital, and workplace skills. Mark your calendars and join us online next week for our annual Back-to-School Lunch & Learn, where we'll explore the conversations we're NOT having about adult education.
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When: Wednesday, August 12th, 12- 1pm
Where: Online: Join us here!
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Welcome New Staff
We are excited to welcome two new positions and individuals to the Literacy Source team! As Literacy Source continues to grow, we are thrilled to add new leadership capacity in Community Programs and Development to support our mission and the incredible work happening across our organization.
| | Jennifer, Community Programs Director | | Jennifer joins Literacy Source with extensive nonprofit experience developing and leading community-based programs that support diverse communities. Originally from the Midwest, she quickly made Seattle home after a visit sparked a lasting connection to the region. She holds a BSW from Eau Claire University in Wisconsin and an MA/MBA from City University in Seattle. Outside of work, Jennifer enjoys sailing on Lake Union in the summer and exploring the mountains in the winter with her partner. | |
| Emily, Development Director | | Emily brings more than 15 years of nonprofit management and fundraising experience, having worked with organizations focused on environmental education, conservation, and animal welfare. She is excited to learn more about adult education and ESOL instruction while helping expand support for Literacy Source’s programs and students. Outside of work, Emily enjoys ice hockey, ultimate frisbee, theatre, Seattle women’s professional hockey games, and exploring the outdoors with her husband, cat, and dog. | |
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Now Hiring!
Literacy Source is currently hiring for an Adult Education Instructional Advisor. Full and/or Part-Time positions are available.
This position is responsible for teaching ESOL and/or Adult Foundational Skills classes (that may include ESOL Literacy, Citizenship ESOL, Digital Literacy Workplace Skills and/or Ready to Work ESOL) at Literacy Source. The instructor will work as part of a team to provide instruction and instructional case management to adult learners. The position may provide training and support for volunteer instructors if teaching at the Lake City learning center or curriculum development and/or partnership management in coordination with off-site partners.
Read the full job description 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 | | | | |
