Resolutions & Inspirations
For many, January is a time for resolutions. For LSW, January is a time to look at what we learned the past year and what we plan to accomplish in the upcoming year. In 2016, we completed a strategic plan that has guided our efforts the last two years. Our strategic plan features several exciting initiatives that that will be launched this spring. Read on for details about new upcoming opportunities!

On Friday, April 12th LSW will host our first ever, all-program tutor and staff training at the United Way Volunteer Center. As an organization whose mission is centered on learning, LSW’s strategic plan defines the imperative to create a culture of continuous learning and expanding how we relate to our community. We appreciate our volunteers and we’re excited to offer this chance for LSW staff and volunteers to learn side-by-side. Read more about the Spring Into Literacy training below.

Because the themes of volunteerism and inclusiveness are prominent in our strategic plan, we are pleased to announce that this year, for the first time ever, our volunteer tutors will have the chance to submit nominations for our 2019 Inspiration Awards. See below for more information about how you can nominate the students and fellow tutors who inspire you and who drive us all to live our mission to its fullest every day. 

In the spirit of our December commencement, we are also bringing along new hopes for 2019. Our programming is strong and continually evolving, and we will continue to look for new and better ways to infuse our academic rigor with student aspirations. 

Stay warm, friends, and I look forward to sharing this wonderful year with all of you!
Holly McCoy
Executive Director

Inspiration Award Nominations
Each year, LSW honors amazing people whose commitment to adult education is simply awe-inspiring. You work alongside dedicated students and tutors and you know their success stories first-hand. We need your help to nominate these inspiring individuals for each of our award categories:

Tutor of Inspiration
(all program areas)

Student of Inspiration
Adult Basic Education

Student of Inspiration
Adult Secondary Education

Student of Inspiration
English Language Learning

Alumnae/Alumnus of Inspiration
(all program areas, must have completed program on or before December 31, 2017)

Please share your story about how a student or volunteer has inspired you.

Start your nomination by clicking the button below.

You'll be asked to write what inspires you about your nominee. Responses will be reviewed by our leadership team and a range of finalists will be selected. Final awardees will be chosen by a committee comprised of board members, community leaders, and event sponsors.

You are encouraged to make multiple nominations, but please don't nominate the same person more than once.

All nominations must be received by Friday, February 22nd.
2019 Inspiration Awards & Fundraiser Dinner
Save the date! Tuesday, May 14th
Discovery World
Formal invitation to follow.
Upcoming Events
Volunteers, You're Invited!
Please join the staff of Literacy Services for our spring training workshop.
Dr. Wilma Robinson
Keynote: Intentionally Managing Biases
Whether we are aware of it or not, everyone brings a certain amount of implicit bias into their everyday interactions. Keynote speaker Dr. Wilma J. Robinson will demonstrate ways of Intentionally Managing Biases (IMB). Her interactive IMB seminar is designed for volunteers and staff to utilize a transformative approach to effectively support teaching, tutoring, learning, communication, advocacy, and problem solving. 
This is a free event. Lunch is included.
Save the date! Friday, April 12th
8:30am - 1:00pm
United Way's Johnson Controls Volunteer Center
Formal invitation to follow.
Mark Your Calendar
February
7th -  Volunteer Orientation
9:30-10:30am
20th -  Volunteer Orientation
5:30-6:30pm

March
5th -  Volunteer Orientation
9:30-10:30am
19th -  Volunteer Orientation
5:30-6:30pm
Literacy Services will automatically close if Milwaukee Public Schools close for severe weather. Follow local media announcements for weather-related closings, call our office, or check our website to verify if we have canceled classes due to inclement weather.
April
2nd -  Volunteer Orientation
9:30-10:30am
9th -  Spring Honors Celebration
11:45am - Downtown Center
12th -  Spring Into Literacy
Volunteer & Staff Training
8:30-1:00pm - United Way's Johnson Co ntrols Volun teer Center
15-19th -  Spring Break
No Classes
16th -  Volunteer Orientation
5:30-6:30pm

May
1st -  Volunteer Orientation
9:30-10:30am
14th -  Inspiration Awards Dinner
5:00pm - Discovery World
21st -  Volunteer Orientation
5:30-6:30pm
27th -  Memorial Day
Agency Closed
Congratulations Graduates!
LSW raised the roof at MATC's Cooley Auditorium with 78 GED and HSED graduates at the city-wide winter graduation ceremony. There were selfies, smiles, tears, successes, accomplishments, and pride - lots and lots of pride. CONGRATULATIONS to our Class of 2018! Your tutors, our staff, and your families are so very proud of you all!
Keep the Success Stories Coming
Thanks to gifts from donors like you, adult students continue to reach their educational goals and improve the quality of life for themselves and the community we share.

Individual donations to Literacy Services of Wisconsin support operations and programs of all types. Examples include computer/technical resources, books and study materials, program support, and testing fees for students in need.

There are many ways to support our students’ hard work and transform lives. Use the buttons below to donate online or review our wish list. For additional ways to give, visit literacyservices.org/give/donate/.