| | May is Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month, and in Seattle, it holds special significance, as the city has one of the highest percentages of Asian American residents in the U.S.—over 15%, compared to around 7% nationally—which enriches the region’s cultural identity. | |
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This spring has been full of both celebration and challenge. We recently held our annual fundraising luncheon, where students and community members shared powerful stories of growth and perseverance. Together, we’ve already raised $127,000 toward our $150,000 goal. These moments of joy and generosity remind us that our work is fueled not just by need, but by a shared belief in the power of education to change lives.
At Literacy Source, we know that education is transformative. Each hour of literacy practice, every math lesson, each moment spent mastering digital skills opens new doors. Last year alone, we provided over 46,000 hours of instruction to nearly 900 adult learners, from 68 different language backgrounds, ages 19 to 90. These learners come to us with determination and hope, and they leave with the skills to build better futures—for themselves, their families, and our communities.
But as we celebrate, we also hold space for the hard truths that brought us to this point. Recent decisions by the federal administration to cut funding have had a profound and personal impact on our community. For our students and others in the community, these cuts mean lost opportunities, interrupted dreams, and the heartbreaking closure of classrooms. When AmeriCorps funding was terminated, we were forced to pause our programs and find ways to protect the essential services so many rely on.
And yet, through it all, our students keep showing up. They show up with courage, with hope, and with a belief that learning should never be out of reach. Their determination reminds us why we do this work—and thanks to you stepping up to our call to action, we are able to keep going. Because of your generosity, we’re back. We’re teaching again. We can keep opening doors for those who need it most. We are so grateful for your support, your belief in our mission, and your commitment to our 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 Spotlight
This month, we’re proud to highlight students from our ESOL 4–5 class who recently shared their stories in a special video project. In it, they talk about their journeys to Literacy Source, their goals—like becoming U.S. citizens and learning English for everyday life—and what this community means to them. A common thread runs through each story: Literacy Source feels like home. It’s a place where they not only build language skills but also connect with people from all over the world, learn about other cultures, and feel a true sense of belonging. For many, being able to communicate has opened the door to confidence, community, and new opportunities.
As well, these students were an incredible addition to our Fundraising Luncheon—they greeted guests, guided traffic, recorded stories, and even made financial donations. Britt McCombs, the instructor for the class, had this to say about her students: "The incredibly supportive learning environment in our classroom is almost entirely due to the students; all I have to do is not throw obstacles in their way. Some have been with Literacy Source for years and some only a couple of months and they all donate their energy to the program. We all learn so much from the varied and rich experiences each person brings to the program."
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After sharing the news that the AmeriCorps program was cut, and we needed help to cover the cost of classes our community responded by donating $21,000 covering the cost of our Citizenship and Computer classes this Spring quarter and and part of Summer Quarter.
We continued asking for help for these classes through the Fall during GiveBig and we’re thrilled to share that we met our GiveBIG goal of $20,000! Thank you!
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Together, we raised $17,000, and a generous donor stepped up to close the gap in the final hours, ensuring we could fund our Citizenship and Beginning Computer Classes through this fall.
This incredible show of support means we can move forward with confidence and continue these critical classes. We are so grateful for you standing with us and giving big. Thank you!
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We are excited to announce a FREE community event to celebrate our diversity on May 17: The World Dance Party. There will be dance instruction, crafts, music, dinner, and more! Bring a dish from your culture for the potluck.Our social work interns, in partnership with others in Lake City, will be hosting this great event.
When: Saturday, May 17, 5-8pm
Where: North Seattle Family Resource Center
12360 Lake City Way NE (our building)
We would love to have you join us to celebrate the community with food and dance. We look forward to seeing you there!
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| Literacy Source staff stood alongside community members on May 1st to participate in the May Day/International Workers' and Immigrants' Day Rally and March. Over 1,000 people gathered at Cal Anderson Park in Seattle’s Capitol Hill and marched through downtown in support of workers' and immigrants' rights. The event featured speeches broadcast across the park, as well as performances by musicians and choirs singing songs of freedom and unity. We were proud to be part of this collective action, lending our voices in solidarity with workers and immigrants in Seattle and around the globe. | | | |
Literacy Source Open House
Join us on May 30 from 4-7 PM in our new space for an Open House Celebration. Whether you’ve seen the new place, or this is your first time, drop in any time to enjoy light refreshments and engage in activities changing every 30 minutes. Hear from our staff, students, and volunteers as we celebrate new citizens, learn new dances, and tour our new space.
Our Executive Directors will be speaking at 4:30 PM and 6:30 PM.
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When: May 30, 2025. 4-7 PM
Where: Literacy Source 12360 Lake City Way NE Ste 301
We’re located on the 3rd floor of the Akin Building
Register to let us know you’re coming. We look forward to seeing you!
| | 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 | | | | |
