|
| October is Information Literacy Month, a reminder of how essential it is to have the skills to find, evaluate, and use information in today’s world. At Literacy Source, the partnerships we build with our students help them navigate daily life, make informed decisions, and build stronger futures for themselves and their families. | |
| | |
Literacy Source is a diverse community. I believe it is one of the best
places to improve the English language and build a better future.
~Namygal, featured student story below
October marks Global Diversity Awareness Month, a celebration that feels especially meaningful at Literacy Source. Diversity is at the very heart of who we are—our learners represent 64 nations, speak more than 75 different languages, and bring with them a rich variety of traditions, perspectives, and life experiences. This month, we take time to recognize how these differences strengthen our classrooms, workplaces, and communities. As one of our core values, inclusion reminds us that every learner deserves a welcoming space where their voice matters and their story is honored.
This celebration also comes at a busy and exciting moment for us—our fall quarter classes launched on Monday! We are thrilled to welcome 86 new students this quarter, with more than 400 class enrollments already underway. Every student who walks through our doors adds to the dynamic learning community we’re building together, and we are grateful for the staff and nearly 200 volunteers who make this possible.
As we dive into a new season of learning, we invite you to join us in celebrating the many ways our different ethnicities, cultures, heritages, abilities, and perspectives enrich our shared journey. At Literacy Source, diversity isn’t just something we acknowledge—it’s the foundation for stronger connections, more innovative learning, and a brighter, more inclusive future.
In Community,
| | |
Cat Howell
Co-ED, Educational Director
| | |
Shira Rosen
Co-ED, Managing Director
| | |
Student Projects
This summer, our students brought creativity, courage, and new skills to their final projects! ESOL Level 1 students, whose theme was “families,” proudly shared family interviews in front of their classmates, an impressive accomplishment for beginning English speakers. Ready to Work students teamed up to design monthly budgets in Google Sheets, building both digital literacy and practical financial skills. Meanwhile, ESOL 2–3 learners presented ideas on how to help our community, practicing both language and civic engagement.
In our more advanced classes, ESOL 4–5 students explored critical thinking and technology by presenting the pros and cons of a topic of their choice, often adding visuals and effects to make their projects shine. And in Academic English, students read and wrote essays on The Watsons Go to Birmingham – 1963, connecting the novel to US history, culture, and language traditions—an especially meaningful experience for some who were writing an essay in English for the very first time!
| |
| |
Student Spotlight: Namygal
Namgyal, a Tibetan woman born and raised in Nepal, came to Seattle in 2008 and found a supportive community at Literacy Source when she began studying English in 2022. She shares that, “Before I joined Literacy Source, I had never written an essay in my life. Now I feel more comfortable expressing my ideas in writing.” Online classes have given her the flexibility to balance family life while pursuing her goals, and the diverse community of learners has made her feel welcome and motivated. Read Namygal's story to see how she continues building her future through learning.
| |
| Featured Partnership: Service Employees International Union | We're excited about our new partnership with the SEIU1199NW Multi-Employer Training Fund! Throughout 2025, Literacy Source is hosting 6 online workshops designed to give attendees a broad understanding of entry-level, union-based health care jobs. | |
| Geared toward students ready for work, these 2-3-hour sessions prepare them with key healthcare concepts, language, and an on-the-ground snapshot for jobs in the Nutrition Services, Patient Transport, Certified Nursing Assistant, and Environmental Services sectors in addition to scoping out a pre-apprenticeship pathway the Training Fund provides. Workshops include input and Q & A sessions with people currently in these jobs, SEIU Training Fund representatives, and actively hiring health care employers. Also, attendees receive a $25 gift card upon completion. We've conducted 2 workshops for more than 20 participants and received very positive feedback and energy for more. Our team is looking forward to engaging more students this fall about how to find livable wage jobs in our region's health care system! | | |
Back to School Campaign
Thank you for donating to our Back-to-School appeal, which raised funds to ensure uninterrupted access to education for our students this school year.
Amid government uncertainty, with shutdowns and funding being reduced, delayed, or cut altogether, your support means a great deal to us. Together, you helped raise $31,650 of our $35,000 goal!
While our Back-to-School appeal has officially ended, you can still donate any time if you’d like to support in this way.
| |
| |
Welcome New Board Members!
We'd love to welcome two of our newest board members, Jodi Jamieson and Taylor Martin.
| | |
Jodi (she/her) has spent 10+ years in senior leadership roles within Human Resources at Seattle Genetics, Chinook Therapeutics and Annexon Biosciences. Previously, she was a Director in Human Resources at Microsoft, and held various roles in International HR in the entertainment industry, including in Training and Development. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. Jodi is passionate about adult education, literacy/books and enabling people to succeed in the workplace.
Taylor has volunteered with the Fund Development Committee for 2 Breakfast / Lunch seasons. She was drawn to Literacy Source from her previous experience volunteering in education and tutoring in marginalized communities for over a decade. She has lived in Seattle for almost 3 years and leads the Human Resources at a medical technical device company located in Queen Anne.
| | | |
You are Invited!
Join us for Grati-Tuesday on Tuesday, October 28th from 5-9 pm put on by Reuben’s Brews - The Ballard Taproom.
Literacy Source will receive $1 for every $6+ beer sold on this Tuesday evening. Reuben's Brews is a family friendly establishment. Non-alcoholic options are available.
Join us in a relaxed environment to connect with and support Literacy Source and spread the word about the importance of adult literacy and education.
| |
| |
Microsoft's Give Month
October is GIVE Month for Microsoft employees! Last Year Microsoft gave away $88 million, and over 460,000 hours of volunteer time! We’re very grateful for the support we receive from Microsoft employees and their company’s matching donation and volunteer programs. These benefits make a big difference for our organization.
If you or someone you know is a Microsoft employee, this is a wonderful time to share about Literacy Source and the impact we’re making together. If you’d like resources or information about Literacy Source to pass along, contact Stacey, our fund development manager.
| |
| 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 | | | | |
