Dear Literacy Network Friend,
Our students’ goals and needs are the foundation of our services. We learn about each participant’s hopes, dreams, and challenges and respond with culturally- and individually-relevant instruction and support. One student recently told us, “I really like my lessons because they are planned on what I ask for.”
Our Community English program makes classes accessible to more students by going where they are. Held at libraries, community centers, and schools across the county, Community English grew from 320 students in 2022 to 538 in 2023.
Please help us earn a $10,000 match from 2nd Market Capital Economic Opportunity Foundation for Community English to serve students where they live.
Community English meets students where they are by:
• Offering 12 classes
• Making the program as accessible as possible by reducing barriers (such as childcare and transportation) for parents and families.
• Helping participants communicate more confidently with healthcare providers, employers, and children’s schools.
• Working with 10 community partners including libraries, community centers, and schools in Middleton-Cross Plains, Sun Prairie, Verona, Waunakee, and Madison.
Yes! I want more students to have free classes!
How does Community English impact the individual and their family?
Most program participants are in low-income households. We know that poverty creates many barriers to learning. Literacy Network helps students overcome those barriers by maintaining a strong network of community partnerships that help them access additional resources.
Low literacy and poverty often recur in intergenerational cycles. One way to break those cycles is to provide educational opportunities for parents as they support their children’s education.
We are serving a record number of students and need your support!
We have seen a surge in demand for English classes from immigrants and refugees who are making Dane County their home. We are also enrolling more adults who did not finish high school and seek to fill in basic literacy skills needed to achieve their personal and employment goals. Literacy Network’s talented staff and dedicated volunteers are eager to support more adult students so they can thrive. With your financial support, we are prepared to welcome new students and meet the increased demand.
Many new participants learn about our programs by word of mouth in their communities. We build trust among our diverse communities by creating an environment based on kindness, respect, and interest in our students’ experiences and identities. Our high rates of student re-enrollment and recommendation of our services to their families and friends are valuable indicators of success.
Your donation has the power to change lives. With every dollar, you’re investing not just in language and literacy education; you’re investing in language skills, and you’re investing in hope, opportunity, and a brighter future for thousands of individuals and their families in our community.
We sincerely appreciate your help!
With gratitude,
Robin Ryan
Executive Director
Help meet a $10,000 match gift from 2nd Market Capital Economic Opportunity Foundation. Give now and double your impact!
$10,000: fully fund a class for a year
$5,000: provide individualized tutoring and support for eight students each year
$2,500: support registration of 25 new students each year
$1,000: provide scholarships for 25 sets of student textbooks
$500: provide a laptop for one student for virtual tutoring and taking GED tests