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This year, March 12 is equal pay day. This date changes each year and represents how far into the year women must work to make the same amount that men made the previous year. The most recent census data showed that women made 84% of what men made in 2022. Find out more here. | |
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Although the weather might still seem wintry, spring is here! March is Women's History Month, and we thought it was an opportune time to take a look at our values as an organization, and how women play an integral part in each of those values:
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Lifelong Learning: At Literacy Source, we believe that all adults can learn and grow. Women represent 76% of our students, and our oldest student identifies as female, at an impressive 89 years old!
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Equity: We create equal access to education because systemic injustices and oppression lead to unequal opportunities and barriers to participation. The examples of inequity in both the US and around the world are numerous - from disparities in health care to sexual harassment to voting rights - and are even more pronounced for women of color. The partnerships we develop with students aim to dismantle these injustices by increasing awareness and opportunities for them and thus the wider community.
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Inclusion: We foster an inclusive and multicultural space in which all cultures, traditions, social identities, and ways of knowing are respected and welcomed. Women have and always will be welcome in our community; in fact, our board, staff, volunteers, and student populations are all at least 70% female!
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Collaboration: We seek out the knowledge and experience of our community and work with others on shared goals. Many of our community partners and businesses we highlight and support are female-led. In fact, you can read below about one of our students who just opened her own business!
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Integrity: We are honest and accountable to each other and our community. At Literacy Source, women play an important role in ensuring that we continue to advocate for our students and other disenfranchised community members.
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Celebration: We believe learning is fun and empowering and deserves to be celebrated alongside the community we’re building together. In our classes, we learn about the contributions and accomplishments of women. And in our upcoming breakfast, we look forward to celebrating the incredible experiences and accomplishments of our students at our upcoming breakfast. This will be the first in-person one in five years, so we hope to see you there!
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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Student/Business Spotlight: Meseret Shiferaw | |
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"When you are strong and brave, you will achieve what you think."
We are so excited to share about a new business opened by Meseret, a student in our Ready to Work class. She opened a coffee shop in an Ethiopian Restaurant and would love for the community to come enjoy the experience!
Where: In Ras Dashen Ethiopian Restaurant, 2801 E Cherry St. Seattle WA 98122
When: Her coffee ceremony is available from 11am-7:30pm, Friday-Sunday
You can learn more about Mesi and her experience at Literacy Source here!
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Meseret is pouring coffee into several ornate coffee mugs inside an Ethiopian Restaurant. | |
Advocacy: Affordable Connectivity Program | |
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Advocate today for affordable internet and support Literacy Source students and community!
The Affordable Connectivity Program, or ACP, is a federal program that subsidizes internet for low-income individuals. Many of our students use it to join classes, apply for jobs, navigate the citizenship process, and access services. It was started in 2021 and is set to end this month. We need your help to ensure that Congress continues to fund this program and that all community members have access to the Internet, regardless of their income level.
For more information on the ACP and templates for writing/calling your congressperson, dlick here.
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Yellow and green houses have internet bandwidth symbols emitting from their roofs. | |
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Rise & Shine Breakfast`
We are thrilled to invite you to our first in-person breakfast since 2019! You do not want to miss the stories of impact from our students and community members as we gather for a morning of inspiration, empowerment, and celebration of literacy.
Registration is open and required to attend either in-person or virtually. To RSVP/ register please follow this link, scan the QR code, or click on the button below!
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Business Sponsorship Opportunity
Can you picture your business advertised in this newsletter? We are looking for Business Sponsors for our upcoming Fundraising Breakfast. In addition to your philanthropic giving, you will also receive visibility and exposure to our audience of donors, volunteers, and community members.
If you’re interested in using your marketing budget in this way
contact staceyh@literacysource.org by March 12, 2024, for more information.
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New Partnership: Educational Humanitarian Support
Beginning January 2024, Literacy Source has been working with other not-for-profits to bring educational solutions and humanitarian services to misplaced refugees from Angola, Venezuela, and other countries currently residing in church encampment in Tukwila. In a joint effort with Asian Counseling and Referral Services and Port Jobs, Literacy Source has provided several workshops to support English conversation, digital literacy, and job search skills.
Our conversation workshop consists of practical daily conversations around names, countries of origin, spelling of names, spoken languages, etc., and is wrapped up around walk-and-talk and listen-and-hit activities (what are these?). It also includes some listening exercises connected to technology words to enhance ACRS sessions on digital literacy.
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Bag Drive
Did you know that every student who takes online classes with Literacy Source can borrow a Chromebook? We also provide headphones, computer mouses, textbooks and other class materials. When students come to pick up their supplies they often arrive without a bag. Can you help?
We are looking for donations of backpacks, laptop bags and tote bags for students to transport their class materials in. Please drop your donations of clean, gently used, or new bags off to our learning center by April 2nd. Thank you!
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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 | | | | |
