Madison’s first-ever new immigrant town halls were a success! In October, Literacy Network partnered with the Catholic Multicultural Center, Dane County Office of Immigration Affairs, JSS, and League of Women Voters of Dane County to hold two special meetings for new immigrants to learn about local government, meet local government officials​, ask questions, and share ideas.

We were glad to see participants deep in conversation with local elected officials, including Mayor Rhodes-Conway, several Alders, members of the Dane County Board of Supervisors and MMSD Board of Education, and WI State Representative Samba Baldeh. Thanks to all who attended and the partners who put this together.

Please join us for Jeff Burkhart's farewell open house to celebrate his 14 years of dedication and service to Literacy Network.

Wednesday, December 7, 2022

5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Comments at 6:00 p.m.

Literacy Network

701 Dane St , Madison, WI 53713

Light refreshments | No RSVP required 

Make a gift in Jeff's honor at litnetwork.org/donate.

This year, our Citizenship Program and Madison Public Library (MPL) have partnered to create a special lesson for citizenship students that introduces students to MPL and shows the tablets available for them to borrow.

During the citizenship interview, applicants must read and write using a tablet. To better prepare students and reduce their nerves, LitNet and MPL have partnered to offer tablets specifically for citizenship students and tutors.

Each semester, MPL’s Martin presents the lesson to all citizenship classes. This semester's visit is pictured above! Martin brings library tablets and students work together on them. After the lesson, students say they are eager to go to the library, use a tablet, and get a library card!

Literacy Network has again been named a top-rated nonprofit by GreatNonprofits.org based on endorsements from students, volunteers, and donors. Some comments from 2022 reviewers:

• "Thanks to the foundations of education that the Literacy Network gave me, today I am a bilingual writer, storyteller, business owner, filmmaker, and I have a brighter future." - Marisol

• "They have expertise; they have compassion. Thanks so much to the work of Literacy Network. It helps change lives!" - Jane

• "I have found this volunteer experience to be so rewarding for me personally and so gratifying to see the positive results for the learners."  -David

Read all the reviews and add your own here.

Literacy Network is also accredited by Better Business Bureau’s Wise Giving Alliance and earned the Candid Platinum Seal. Additionally, it is a 2022 recipient of a Library of Congress Literacy Award.

This year's GivingTuesday is November 29! 2022's theme: Our neighbors! We look forward to celebrating students' internationalism throughout this special day.

Watch for more information in the coming weeks on how you can support adult learners during this international day of giving.

November 15 marks the four-year anniversary of Literacy Network's Transitions program, made possible by funding from the Oscar Rennebohm Foundation!

The Transitions project began in January 2019 to provide specialized support for adult learners to transition out of our adult basic education services into Madison College or another professional degree or certificate program.  

Transitions, by the numbers:

• 245 students served to date
• 107 students connected with resources and information helping them with their goals
• 87 students have participated so far in 2022 (including the Summer 2022 class pictured here!)

Learn more in this interview with Transitions Program Manager Cassie Pilarski.

Thank you, Oscar Rennebohm Foundation, for making this impactful program possible!

Did you know? You can increase donations to Literacy Network at no extra cost to you when you make purchases on Amazon!

Simply shop at smile.amazon.com/ch/51-0180488 or with AmazonSmile ON in the Amazon Shopping app.

Thanks for your support!

Grab a friend and enjoy a night out to benefit Literacy Network learners! Gib's, a cocktail bar at 1380 Williamson St in Madison, has chosen Literacy Network as their monthly community partner.

For the entire month of November, $2 from every community cocktail ordered at Gib's will benefit Literacy Network.

Thank you to Gib's for choosing Literacy Network as this month's community partner!

Please consider monthly and planned giving. Find out more here.