50 years is an incredible milestone, and we are grateful to have had the chance to share it with you. Thank you to the hundreds of students, volunteers, event attendees, auction participants, donors, sponsors, staff, and other supporters who helped to make Literacy Network's 50th anniversary celebration a night to remember!

We still need your support to meet Custer Burish Financial Services's generous matching gift! Additional donations are needed to match the full $5,000. Click the button below to maximize support for students.

Miss the live event or want to rewatch some of your favorite moments? A video of the program is now available here. We would like to extend special thanks to event speakers Lupita Montoto, Kate Rohach, Lelva Romulus, and Francisco Soza.

Be sure to check out our event photo album. Where I Was, Where I'm Going, 2024's book of writings from more than 50 students, is also now available online here.

Our 50th isn't over yet! Watch for more exciting projects and announcements throughout the rest of 2024!

Students tell their own stories best! This spring, Literacy Network offered its first Student Ambassador Training to help prepare students to do just that. This inaugural group of 11 students volunteered to complete 12 hours of public speaking training in order to advocate for adult education. Students met weekly with Associate Director Jennifer Peterson over the course of 8 weeks.

Since completing the training, students have already gone on the radio, spoken at events (Ambassadors Kate and Lelva spoke at our 50th! Watch them here starting at 25:00!), appeared in videos, written letters to supporters, and will emcee our Student Achievement Ceremony. Thank you, Student Ambassadors, for being a powerful voice of adult literacy education!

Biggest Spring Semester Ever

Our spring semester wrapped up May 4, and what a semester it was! Literacy Network served 906 students throughout Spring 2024, making this our biggest semester ever. Demand for classes continues to grow, and we are on track to serve our most students ever in 2024.

We need your help to meet this unprecedented demand! What can you do?

• Become a volunteer tutor! Work one-on-one with a student to help them achieve their goals. We are in particular need of tutors for the upcoming summer semester, beginning at the end of May. Learn more about tutoring.
• Spread the word and learn more! Our supporters are our best advocates. Engage with and share our social media (Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTube, X) . You can also arrange for a personal tour of our learning center for yourself or a group. Email info@litnetwork.org to schedule.
• Join our team! We are now hiring a Citizenship Program Manager. Learn more and apply.
• Help plant our 50th anniversary garden to make sure our learning center looks its best for students! Sign up for a two-hour volunteer session or to donate plants.
• Donate! Your gift today goes directly to support our students and their dreams!

A Musical April

Music's been in the air this spring for Literacy Network with two recent musical events:

First, thank you to everyone who joined us for last month's Ancora String Quartet donor-appreciation concert! Our donors make programs possible, and we were glad to be able to spend a rainy Sunday afternoon with you. Keep an eye out for more appreciation celebrations as our 50th year continues!

We would also like to extend a special thanks to Yid Vicious Klezmer Ensemble and those who joined their April benefit concert at North Street Cabaret. This fun evening of klezmer (now in its third year!) raised vital support for our students.

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