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Letter from the Co-Executive Directors
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"Now I can go to the bank or call the company or if I want to go to the doctor on my own, I can do it. Yesterday I went to the hospital and I can talk with my doctor for the first time without a translator! It made me feel so happy, and when I'm back to home, I said it to my son. He's so happy, he says: "Oh mom, great job!"
~Azar, current student in our ESOL, Computer, and Conversation Classes
Dear Literacy Source Community,
As we move into spring and reach the one-year mark since all of our lives were unexpectedly upended, we see many reasons for hope. From the promising changes that are happening at a federal level, such as the recently announced reversion to the pre-Trump era Citizenship test, which will help to smooth the path for many of our students towards citizenship, to a full roster of students in Literacy Source's winter quarter classes, we will continue to pursue our vision of an inclusive and equitable society providing education and opportunities for all adults.
March is also Women's History Month. We believe that organizations - and society as a whole - are stronger when all traditionally marginalized communities have a voice and a seat at the table, and we are thrilled to have so many strong and capable women enriching the Literacy Source community.
To celebrate Women's History Month, we are featuring two of our female students, so please read on to learn about why their experience with Literacy Source is such an important part of their lives...
In community,
Shira Rosen Cat HowellCo-ED, Managing Director Co-ED, Educational Director
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Women's History Month: Azar & Norma Student Spotlight
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What better time to spotlight our superstar female students than Women's History Month? Literacy Source has no shortage of students who are working hard to gain skills and education to create new opportunities for themselves, their families, and the community.
Congratulations to the two students we are featuring this month! Azar is a student in our ESOL 4/5, Computer, and Conversation classes this quarter, and Norma is a student in our Ready to Work class, which prepares students for getting a job, with a particular focus on English and Digital Literacy.
1. Why did you decide to join this class at Literacy Source?
Azar: My friend invited me for conversation class with Cynthia. Now I take three classes at Literacy Source, it's complete - all my teachers: Cynthia, Lisa, Cheryl. All the teachers help me all the time. I say: "Sorry teacher I have one question." And they say: "Why are you sorry? I am so excited that you have a question!" The first time I didn't last in the class [when she took classes at a different place four years ago], but now if I have the bad mood or the depression, when I know I have the class tomorrow, everything is out, my bad feelings are out because I love the class, I don't want to lose the class. I so so love my class.
Norma: I decided to join the class (RTW) because I wanted to improve my
English. It seemed interesting to know that there is a class for jobs.
2. Why is this class important for your life?
Azar: If you live here the first part you need is the four skills of speaking, listening, reading, and writing, and for my age I need to be independent. Now sometimes I need to get help with my son, and he have many things in his life, and now I can go to the bank or call the company or if I want to go to the doctor on my own, I can do it. Yesterday I went to the hospital and I can talk with my doctor for the first time without a translator! It made me feel so happy, and when I'm back to home, I said it to my son. He's so happy and he says: "Oh mom, great job!"
Norma: In this class I am learning new vocabulary referring to work. Also, I
am learning about resumes, interviews, cover letters, etc. This is
important in my life because I will be prepared whenever I apply for a
job.
3. What is one important thing you have learned in your class(es) at
Literacy Source? Why is this important for you?
Azar: It is so important for me to connect with the people; I want to make friends, to talk about many things. If I can help another student, for four years I have a hard life here, and it has made me. I'm so happy right now. If I can get my four skills, I can help the other students.
Norma: One of the first things I learned in one of my classes was to use a
computer, learn to send emails, make resumes, cover letters,
interviews, and new words. Another thing that I learned was to take
the class online, this is new for me and it was interesting for me.
This is important to me because I learned to take class from zoom,
(digital skills) and new vocabulary.
4. March is women's history month, which is one reason why we are
featuring female students. Are there any unique challenges for women
in adult education/finding a job today that you think it is important
for people to know?
Azar: In my country, it's a very hard life for the woman, and unfortunately the woman has a hard life in my country. But when I came here I see that it's a very good life for the woman, and they can go get a job and be independent and live alone and take care of kids. You can grow up and get a skill for everything. Here there is not a difference between men and women, the freedom is very good.
Norma: I consider that the great challenge is with themselves. The challenges
are in studying, preparing, and striving to be the best professional
and thus be able to compete for an important job in any company in the
world.
5. How do you feel about Literacy Source as an organization? Do you
think the work we are doing is important? Why or why not?
Azar: I had the experience with other organizations and I see the good management between the classes here, and all my teachers are happy to help me. If I want to take three classes, Literacy source will do everything for me. When I said: "I'm sorry I don't have the computer I need for the class", Lisa said: "Don't worry about that, right now I've registered your name and you can get a laptop for your class." I am so appreciative for all of this. For nine months, make my new life. I am so so happy and so appreciative for this.
Norma: I feel happy because the school gives you everything that you need to learn/study. I feel surprised by how much help the school offers. I
feel like the work you are doing is important because you are helping
us a lot in order to reach our goal of learning English. It is
important because thanks to the donors we can feel the support, no
matter the different cultures, languages, religions, skin color (there
is help for everyone). Thanks to all the people who make Literacy
Source (teachers, volunteers, translators, and principle).
Best of luck to you, Azar and Norma, and thank you for sharing your stories with us!
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Virtual Breakfast: April 6th, 2021
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You're Invited!
Literacy Source's 19th Annual Breakfast
Tuesday, April 6th, 2021
8:30am-9:30am
In the comfort of your home
On April 6th students, staff and our guests will come together (virtually) to hear stories of how Literacy Source impacted the lives of students in our community. We all believe in Literacy Source's vision of an inclusive and equitable society, and I would like to personally extend an invitation to you to join us for this amazing and powerful event.
If you are interested in being a table captain, or giving early, you can message our development manager, Phil Zoshak, at philipz@literacysource.org.
We hope you can join us!
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Literacy Source Job Openings
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The goal of this position is to:
- Expand volunteer, student, and community outreach in order to increase student and volunteer enrollment and build more awareness of adult low-literacy issues in the areas of English as a Second Language (ESOL), general Education Development (GED), Citizenship, Work and Digital Literacy uSkills.
- Increase Literacy Source's organizational capacity by developing internal systems and resources to expand the service of free basic skills education to low-income adults working to improve their lives.
Ready to Work is a comprehensive program providing opportunities for people with very limited English (ESOL levels 1-4) to work towards economic self-sufficiency. English language learning is supplemented with job placement services and ongoing skills training opportunities appropriate for the student's English proficiency level. With funding from Seattle's Office of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs, Literacy Source partners with Asian Counseling and Referral Service to offer two RTW classes in SE Seattle, a class in West Seattle with Neighborhood House, and a RTW North class at our Center in Lake City.
Please help us spread the word!
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A special shout out to those donors that went above and beyond this month to support Literacy Source! - Julie Lyss
- Bridget Perry, who pushed us over our goal with the Stay At Home Tea Campaign.
- Union Bank, for their generous furniture donation.
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