June/JulyNEWSLETTER | 2026 | | |
| Caribbean-American Heritage Month honors the history, culture, and many contributions of Caribbean Americans, whose stories reflect the power of migration, resilience, and community. At Literacy Source, it is also a reminder to celebrate the rich diversity of our students and neighbors. | |
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There are many reasons to celebrate this month. Summer in the Pacific Northwest has arrived, bringing longer days, fuller parks, and more chances to come together as a community. Seattle is also welcoming the FIFA World Cup, with a host city theme of “Bringing Washington to the World,” a celebration of the cultures, communities, and inclusive values that make this region so vibrant. Alongside that, we are recognizing LGBTQ Pride Month, National Immigrant Heritage Month, Great Outdoors Month, and Disability Pride Month, all meaningful reminders of the many identities, histories, and experiences that shape our shared community.
At Literacy Source, we are also celebrating the close of a full and inspiring spring quarter, as evidenced by the incredible final projects created across our classes. This spring, students wrote about health, practiced phone dialogues for interviews and appointments, explored technology and problem-solving, presented biographies, prepared for citizenship interviews, developed business ideas, and shared essays on topics ranging from stress and aging to culture, economics, and community. In these projects, they practiced essential skills, but they also shared pieces of who they are: people saving to visit family, planning for retirement, dreaming of travel or a home, caring for their health, building confidence, and working toward more stability for themselves and their families.
That is what makes this work so worth celebrating, even in a time that continues to feel uncertain and difficult for many of the students we serve. Our community keeps showing up: students with courage and hope, instructors and volunteers with dedication and care, and supporters like you who make accessible, high-quality adult education possible. As we head into summer, we are grateful to keep growing, learning, and partnering with students to build a stronger and more hopeful future together.
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Cat Howell
Co-ED, Educational Director
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Shira Rosen
Co-ED, Managing Director
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Class Spotlight: Construction Jobs Course
"I gave the class the highest score possible — 10 out of 10. If there had
been a higher score available, I would have given that too!"
~Emre, Construction Job Course student
| | This spring, Literacy Source partnered with Seattle Port Jobs and ACRS to offer a new Construction Job Course, helping students explore pathways into the construction trades and navigate a competitive industry. Through lessons on pre-apprenticeship programs, industry certifications, and career planning, students gained valuable knowledge about how the industry works and how to build a successful future in the trades. The course also introduced students to organizations that can support them on the path to apprenticeships and long-term careers. | |
| A field trip to ANEW (Apprenticeship & Nontraditional Employment for Women) gave students firsthand insight into training opportunities and apprenticeship pathways, while helping them identify next steps toward careers such as electrician, carpenter, or equipment operator. By the end of the course, many students had already begun applying for or scheduling pre-apprenticeship programs, turning their career goals into actionable plans and gaining the confidence, connections, and knowledge needed to take their first steps into the industry. | | |
Volunteer Spotlight: Steve W
Steve first joined Literacy Source as a volunteer in 2014, where he started by tutoring a student to prepare for and achieve their goal of becoming a U.S. citizen, and found the experience incredibly rewarding. His patience, encouragement, and commitment made a lasting impact, and we are so grateful for Steve’s support and dedication.
This past year, Steve returned to volunteer and has been a steady presence with our Ready to Work program. We are thankful to have Steve as part of our community and deeply appreciate the difference he continues to make in the lives of those we serve!
You can read more about Steve and why Literacy Source is the perfect fit for him here.
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Steve and his wife, May, on the Waitukubuli National Trail on the island of Dominica during their Peace Corps service. | | |
A Heartfelt Thank You
As we wrap up our fiscal year, we want to extend our heartfelt thanks to our incredible donors who give so generously throughout the year.
Because of your support, we have met or exceeded nearly all our fundraising goals this year and last, including the success of our 40th Anniversary Luncheon. We originally reported that we had fallen just short of our luncheon goal, but additional gifts continued to come in after the event. We are thrilled to share that together, we raised an incredible $160,500, exceeding our $150,000 goal. Thank you!
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Your generosity is already making a difference. This year, Literacy Source served more students than ever before, helping adults build English language skills, earn citizenship, strengthen digital literacy, prepare for employment, and pursue educational goals. Looking ahead, we have exciting plans to continue expanding opportunities for students and increasing our impact.
Every donation represents an investment in education, equity, and opportunity. Thank you for believing in our students and being part of their journey. Together, we are changing lives and building a stronger community for all.
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Goodbye Board Members!
Two of our valued board members, Marian, our Board Chair, and Ash have reached the end of their board terms. We are deeply grateful for their leadership, guidance, and commitment to Literacy Source, and we wish them both all the best in their next chapters.
| | Marian served as an incredible Board Chair for four years, helping guide Literacy Source through a remarkable period of change and growth. Her leadership was instrumental as we reopened our center after COVID, moved into our new space, and launched our Building Our Futures campaign. Marian also brought a deep commitment to relationships and community, strengthening board culture through her warmth, care, and regular connection with fellow board members. | |
| Ash brought thoughtful leadership, insight, and dedication to her time on the board, including her work with the DEI Committee, Governance Committee, and Board Fellows program. She helped shape policy, interview prospective board members, and support the growth and coordination of our Board Fellows. Ash was always willing to ask the hard questions that helped ensure decisions were thoughtful and well considered, and her expertise and involvement will be deeply missed. | |
| New and Expanding Partnerships | | Literacy Source is excited to partner with the Northwest Seaport Alliance (NWSA) to launch a new class supporting non-native English-speaking truck drivers in our region. Beginning in July, this four-week course will focus on practical speaking skills to help drivers communicate confidently during interactions with law enforcement, reducing barriers that could put their commercial licenses at risk. | |
| More opportunities to practice English are coming this summer through our longstanding partnership with Seattle Public Library. A new online Conversation Class, held Thursday evenings, provides a fun, informal space for English learners to build confidence through conversation while connecting with others in the community. Registration is available through either the Literacy Source or Seattle Public Library websites. | |
| Know Your Rights Training | As part of our commitment to civic education, Literacy Source hosted a "Know Your Rights" workshop across our programs this spring, focusing on the constitutional rights outlined in the Immigrant Legal Resource Center's Red Cards when interacting with ICE. The workshop sparked thoughtful discussion, including one student's question: "Does everyone in the US know about these rights?" Probably not, which is why these conversations matter. By sharing information and building understanding, we can help our community make informed decisions and feel more empowered to navigate important situations. | |
| 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 | | | | |
