New year, new term!  

 

Winter term started with a bang on all fronts with 18 new students participating in orientation for classes at our Fremont learning center, and classes up and running in the community with offsite partners (ESL at Angle Lake Family Center in SeaTac and the Tukwila Community Center, Transitions class at the King County Correctional Facility, parent ESL at Valley View Early Learning Center, and ESL with computers at area hospitals through our partnership with the SEIU Training Fund). Our January new volunteer orientation (held the first Wednesday of each month) was bursting with participants, and we're busy setting up trainings and matching needed tutors with waiting students.

 

As we all know, new year's resolutions are easy to make but harder to keep. We're continually amazed and inspired by our students and volunteers who commit to the pursuit of learning and stick with the hard work that such an endeavor involves. As we make our own resolutions, we're committed to doing all we can to support our students and volunteers in this hard work, and in pursuing new opportunities to reach more adults wanting to increase their basic literacy skills. Developing new partnerships, increasing our funding, and finding a more accessible home base for our programs are all on our list. Thank you for all you do to support adult literacy - stay tuned for an exciting year! 
Student Spotlight: Les Croaker

Les is our student spotlight of the month! He is part of our ABE Beginning Literacy class and is an absolute delight. He's dependable, friendly, and always makes us laugh! Lindsey Kafer, his advisor, had a quick chat with Les this month: 

 

LK: Why did you come to Literacy Source?

LC: I wanted to do better in life and prepare for the future. I came here because I needed to learn the basics of reading and writing.

 

LK: What do you like about Literacy Source?

LC: The people here are nice and friendly. They take time to try to teach you what you need to know...and they love a lot of snacks!

 

LK: Haha! What's your favorite snack, Les?

LC: Hm... I really like oranges. And fried chicken and watermelon!

 

LK: Is it okay if I tell everyone that you're a college basketball fan and that you root for the Tar Heels of UNC?

LS: Yes! Make sure to tell them that I'm from North Carolina - or, as we call it, North Kakalaky!

Volunteer Spotlight: Rebecca Strabo

This month, we're spotlighting volunteer Rebecca Strabo, who co-teaches the ABE Reading and Writing 1 class on Mondays and Wednesdays!

 

LS: Where are you originally from?

RS: I am originally from Berkeley, California. I have lived in San Francisco and Davis, California; Ashland, Oregon; Austin, Texas; New York City and Rye, New York. We moved back to Seattle 3 years ago. Over 30 years ago, I met my husband Henrik, who is from Denmark, here in Seattle while he was going to the University of Washington. I love Seattle and consider it to be our permanent home. I don't want to move again!


LS: Please tell us something of your life so far and what you would like to do in the future.

RS: I worked at Tiffany and Co. in New York City in Window Display while getting a BA in English from Manhattan Marymount College. I got a Master's in English when we lived in Austin. A very important aspect of my life is my family - my husband Henrik, son Frederik, daughter Sophia, and dog, Balder.  In the future, I would like to travel, write a young adult novel, and hike the Pacific Crest Trail.

 
LS: Why did you choose to volunteer at LS?

RS: I chose to volunteer at Literacy Source because I wanted to work with nontraditional adult learners and gain experience teaching.
Another reason is because Literacy Source has students from all around the world and I enjoy being with people from different cultures and backgrounds.


LS: What do you like about volunteering at LS?

RS: I love volunteering at Literacy Source: the warm and welcoming
staff, the inspiring and diverse students, and my awesome co-teachers, are a few of the reasons.


LS: Do you have any stories or highlights from volunteering at LS?

RS: At the recent holiday party hosted by Literacy Source, I was so
impressed how the students, staff and volunteers all came together and put on a wonderful party.


LS: What might people not know about you?

RS: I love swimming in Lake Washington!

 

Thank you so much, Rebecca, for all your hard work and commitment!

 

Would you or someone you know be interested in volunteering for Literacy Source? Come to our next New Volunteer Orientation on Wednesday, Feb. 4th at 1 pm or 7 pm! Sign up here. 

Staff Changes: Farewell to Isabel
Isabel and her loveable dog, Ty
Long-time Instructional Advisor Isabel Childs has left Literacy Source to pursue new adventures! She is moving to Laos to teach English for a year-long fellowship. Isabel has worked at our organization for the last 6 years and has made a huge impression on the lives of students, volunteers, and staff alike. She is warmhearted, open, and is willing to bend over backwards for our students. To say that we'll miss her is a giant understatement! Best of luck to you, Isabel - it won't be the same around here without you, but we know you'll touch the hearts of people wherever in the world you end up!
Office Hours & Closures
Literacy Source is open:

Mon.-Thu., 8:30 am-8:30 pm
Fri., appointment only

We are closed:
Monday, Jan. 19th - MLK Day
Monday, Feb. 16th  - Presidents' Day 
In This Issue
Save the Date

The 13th Annual Literacy Source Breakfast will be held on Tuesday, May 5th at Seattle Pacific University. Join us from 7:30 to 9:00 am for student stories and the yearly top ten booklist with author and super-star librarian Nancy Pearl. If you're interested in sponsoring the breakfast, serving as a table captain or attending, please contact Lynn at lynnl@literacysource.org. Mark your calendars  now!  

LS Now Composts!

Literacy Source is now required by Seattle law to collect compostable waste. There will be bins throughout the office that will labeled and located by every recycling/garbage bin. If you are unsure of what should go in the bins there will be a flyer of items that are eligible/must be composted pinned above each compost bin. Samantha Summers will be visiting classrooms to explain composting to our students. If you have any questions about the new program you can email Samantha. Thanks so much for your cooperation! 
Upcoming Events
The Moth StorySLAM
Friday, January 16th
7:15 pm doors, 8 pm show
St. Mark's Cathedral, 1245 10th Ave E
Fremont Abbey Arts presents The Moth StorySLAM, a world renowned storytelling event & top arts podcast as heard on NPR! Drink proceeds benefit Literacy Source programs.

Literary Mixer
Tuesday, January 27th
7:30 pm
The Hideout, 1005 Boren Ave
Movable Type hosts this fun social gathering, where you bring your favorite book, enjoy a drink or two, and meet likeminded people. Literacy Source will be there to share ways to promote adult literacy in our community.

Literacy Source Trivia Night
Monday, March 2nd
evening
The Backdoor at Roxy's, 462 N 36th St
Trivia night is back! Test your knowledge on US history, civics, the English language, and other topics relevant to LS. If you would like to create a team, e-mail us! 
Contact Us
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206-782-2050 
Literacy Source's mission is to build a literate community and promote self-sufficiency by providing learner-centered instruction to adults in English literacy and basic life skills. Literacy Source believes that all adults can improve their basic life skills and that community volunteers, trained and supported by professional staff, can make this happen. We welcome the challenge of developing the habit of independent life-long learning.


Literacy Source | (206) 782-2050 | www.literacysource.org | 720 N 35th St, Suite 103, Seattle, WA 98103

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