Dear Literacy Network Friends,
I am delighted to share exciting news that Omega School will become a program of Literacy Network when long-time Omega School Executive Director Oscar Mireles retires at the end of 2024.
Madison’s nonprofit Omega School provides personalized instruction and support to help students obtain a GED or HSED. Omega serves about 125 students annually, including adults and high school students referred by MMSD. In operation for over 50 years, Omega is an incredibly valuable community resource, known especially for supporting students for whom traditional high school is not a good fit.
The missions of our two agencies align; we provide free education services to help students pursue educational and personal goals, often to improve economic opportunity. Our programs are complementary but not duplicative. Incorporating Omega School helps Literacy Network expand the array of diverse services we offer and creates new pathways for students to move easily among programs, including pre-GED, GED, ESL, Spanish GED, Citizenship, and Career and College Readiness. Serving young adults is an emerging area of service for our agency; Literacy Network recently began placing tutors in the Gateway to College Program at Madison College, where volunteers support students ages 16-21 in class.
Omega School of Literacy Network will continue to operate in Omega’s current building on East Badger Road, which will transfer to Literacy Network ownership. Omega School is supported by contracts with MMSD, Madison Community Development, and Dane County, and well as grant funding and individual donations. We look forward to deepening our relationship with these important partners.
Literacy Network will hire Omega School’s staff to continue in their current positions. We also intend to hire a director for the Omega School programs who will serve alongside other Literacy Network program directors.
The Literacy Network Board conducted a thorough evaluation of the programmatic and fiscal impact of incorporating Omega School as a program of Literacy Network. Continuity of services is a top priority during this transition; Literacy Network will continue to offer all our current programs and maintain the critical role of volunteer tutors.
Please join me in welcoming Omega School students, staff, and supporters to the Literacy Network community in January as together we expand support for students and their families. I welcome your questions and the opportunity to share more about this exciting endeavor.
Sincerely,
Robin Ryan
Executive Director