Dear Friends of Literacy,

On June 30th, after 17 years of leadership, Cynthia Shermeyer will be retiring from her role as Executive Director of Literacy Delaware. Under her leadership, volunteer tutors have helped adult learners improve their literacy skills, impacting hundreds of Delawareans, making a real difference in families and communities across the state. Her impact is immeasurable and her passion for adult literacy is unmatched.

Starting July 1, I am honored to step into the Interim Executive Director role. Since joining the team in 2022, I have been continually amazed by the dedication of our staff and volunteers and the perseverance of our learners. Literacy Delaware is more than just a literacy program – it’s a place where confidence grows, and opportunities are unlocked.  

In the months ahead, I look forward to listening and connecting. I am eager to get to know more of our tutors, learners, supporters, and partners. If you’d like to connect or share your story, I’d love to hear from you. My goal is to build upon the strong foundation that already exists to continue this transformative work. 

I’m excited to get to work on writing the next chapter of the Literacy Delaware story - with your support!

With gratitude,

Leslie

2025 SCRABBLE ™ Along the Brandywine Fundraiser a SUCCESS!

Attendees of Literacy Delaware’s team SCRABBLE ™ fundraising event enjoyed an evening of fun and friendly competition, and a delicious variety of hors d’oeuvres, while raising over $6000 to help our adult literacy learners reach their goals and realize their potential.

We were thrilled that Literacy Delaware AmeriCorps A-Team Instructor Melissa Johnson and several of her learners participated as a team in this year’s SCRABBLE ™ event. The group worked together to create words on the SCRABBLE board, competing against other teams at the event. Everyone involved enjoyed the experience! “It was a great and fun time for my learners and literacy Delaware staff to get together and enjoy themselves. It was a great opportunity for the learners to learn to play games in English” said Melissa.

A HUGE thank you to all who attended and thank you to Christ Church Christiana Hundred for hosting us.

SCRABBLE Along the Brandywine 2026 will be held on Friday April 24, 2026. MARK YOUR CALENDAR NOW!

Cindy Retirement - Saying Goodbye



We spent a wonderful, emotion filled afternoon celebrating our Executive Director Cynthia Shermeyer’s 17 years of service to Literacy Delaware. Cindy’s passion for our mission of helping adults in Delaware improve their literacy skills and reach their potential has always been evident. During her tenure the organization trained over 300 volunteer tutors, served over 800 adult literacy learners and raised over $5 million to support our work. 

“It has been such an honor for me to work with the many amazing tutors, learners, and staff over the years. Their dedication and commitment have always inspired me on this journey. The support from our donors and friends has been humbling. When I would think ‘I can't,’ I would remember all of you and say ‘I can’.”

We wish Cindy all the best as she begins this new chapter in her life.

DoMore24 2025 - Thank You!

Learner Ruth reported her own progress: "I am reading to my children, I am helping my children with their homework. I am reading English books as a hobby. I watched a show in English."

Learner Tanuzy can now properly fill out a job application and read a drug prescription label.

Learner Tinnin reported her own progress: "I got a raise at my job, I am reading to my children, I am helping my children with their homework."

Learner Beto has started a new book with stories about famous Americans. He's been quite inspired by Abigail Adams!

Learner Vern continues to practice his reading skills using high school level books. He has finished another novel and just began a new one.

One new Northstar Digital Literacy learner Yessica

recently passed four Northstar assessments.

We are so proud of our learners' wonderful accomplishments!

Donors Recognize Beloved Tutor Janet Saunders



As you may recall, earlier this year we mourned the passing of beloved long time Literacy Delaware tutor Janet Saunders. We were humbled by the generosity of donors who supported us in Janet’s memory. Thank you to each of these donors. Your contributions help us continue to change lives just as Janet did in her work.

• Ellen Chapman
• Michelle Li
• Vincent Li
• Emi Caywood
• Mark Desgrosseilliers
• Susan Trzonkowski
• Aaron Bock
• Fritz Ebner
• Pauline Brown
• Mei Jin
• Lorin Hurst

• Deborah and David Ross
• Catherine Orleman
• Patricia Dewald
• Catherine Miller
• Walt and Mary DelGiorno
• Michael Armore
• Kristen Oswald
• Mr. and Mrs. Robert
• Pincus
• Rosemary Giangiulio
• Sandra Lutz

• Annette Bushman
• Ann Bucci
• Barbara Tostrup and Bill Curtes
• Michelle Lowry
• Elizabeth Stroud
• Dawn Gonzalez
• Victoria Golden
• Diana Saunders
• Heather Saunders and Eric Chapman

Welcome New Board Member - Nicole Barger



Nicole Barger, an executive director with JPMorgan Chase & Co.’s Commercial & Investment Bank, has over 30 years of experience in the financial services industry. She currently serves as the Payments Product Controller for Mergers & Acquisitions and Strategic Investments. Born and raised in Ohio, Nicole graduated from The Ohio State University with a bachelor’s degree in accounting. 

Nicole is a former volunteer tutor and long-time supporter of Literacy Delaware. As a tutor, she witnessed first-hand the power of literacy to unlock opportunity and make the American dream become a reality for her student and his family. Now, as a board member, Nicole is excited to bring her skills and experience to help fulfill Literacy Delaware’s vision to empower all Delawareans through literacy.

Nicole is a former volunteer with the Blood Bank of Delmarva, Humane Animal Partners, and the Newark Free Library. She and her husband enjoy traveling, visiting museums, attending concerts and theater performances, and supporting the Ohio State Buckeyes and Philadelphia’s sports teams.

End of Year Learner Celebrations!



At our End-of-Year Celebrations, we honored the dedication and determination of our adult learners and our amazing instructors who taught them. Together, they have built more than literacy skills — they’ve built confidence and community. Congratulations to all of our learners and the goals they have achieved! Thank you to our instructors for your time and talents!

Las Americas ASPIRA Academy learners and AmeriCorps member instructors Christina McDermott, Jules Melendez, and Tooba Ahmed celebrated with their learners.

Said one ASPIRA student of the classes, “I am very grateful to my teacher . I learned a lot and improved my English a lot”.

AmeriCorps member Melissa Johnson’s class posed for an end-of-class photo.

AmeriCorps member Serap Pala’s class gathered at Battery Park in New Castle. Serap provided special props for the group photo.

Special thanks to The Newark Partnership for subsidizing refreshments at the ASPIRA End-of-Year celebration.