expertise into action

EXPERTISE INTO ACTION
ANNUAL REPORT 2014
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
STAFF
OUR MISSION
Christine Sullivan
Christine Kenny
Our mission is to strengthen adult literacy,
parent education, and workforce development
programs by developing and providing
innovative training and knowledge-sharing
opportunities for professionals and volunteers.
President
Celina Chatman-Nelson
Vice President
Jeremy Dunn
Secretary
Jeannette Mihalek
Treasurer
(*outgoing FY2014)
PHOTOS
Lonnie Dunlap*
Mary Ann Dyar
Judith Gaston
Ramji Kaul
Eva Kennedy
Brian Kruk*
Rich Levenfeld
Will Linder
John Palmer
Renuka Sharma
Katherine Soderstrom*
Andrew Collings
andrewcollings.com
Cover; page 3, photos 2-4; page 5
Sheryl Thomas
sherylthomasfotographics.com
Page 14
Executive Director
Colleen McGaughey
Development Director
Betsy Rubin
Adult and Family Literacy Specialist
Lindsay Crammond
Program Director
OUR VISION
Jeong Shin
Membership and Finance Coordinator
Megan Wells
Program Director, outgoing 2014
DESIGN
Baska Batbold / itsbaska.com
Daniely Soriano
Columbia College Chicago students
Richard Zeid
Art Director/Faculty Advisor
www.rzdesign.com
Our vision is that one day, all people will
reach their full potential through the ability to
read, write, and interpret the world.
CONTACT
Literacy Works
c/o 6216 N. Clark St.
Chicago, Illinois 60660
(773) 334-8255
www.litworks.org
Literacy Works is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit
organization. All donations are tax-deductible.
LITER ACY WORKS’ SERVICES
TUTOR TRAINING FOR
COMMUNITY VOLUNTEERS
PROFESSIONAL
DEVELOPMENT
WRITERS’ CIRCLE FOR
ADULT LEARNERS
OK LEARN PARENT
EDUCATION WORKSHOPS
Intensive monthly training sessions
for community volunteers in the
basics of teaching English as a
Second Language (ESL) and Adult
Basic Education (ABE). Frequent
follow-up trainings on special topics.
Semi-annual networking events.
Training, networking, and
consultation for literacy and
employment program staff at
community-based organizations.
Training and advising for nonliteracy organizations serving
low-literate populations.
Workshops to help literacy
learners write for self-expression
while developing critical thinking
and communication skills.
Parent education workshops
to help adults encourage their
young children’s literacy and
language skills.
DEAR FRIENDS OF LITERACY WORKS,
Literacy Works was conceived from the notion of collaboration.
Nearly twenty years ago, four community-based organizations
joined forces, calling for high-quality training for their volunteer
tutors. Literacy Works stepped up to meet the need. This spirit
of shared knowledge and pooled resources still carries us
today. Literacy Works strengthens our more than fifty member
organizations plus dozens of other partners.
Along with collaboration, expertise is at the forefront of
our service model. Our staff and trainers bring a deep
understanding of what it means to work with adults with
limited English proficiency and those who struggle with basic
literacy skills. This wisdom goes into the development of our
trainings, consultations, and direct services for our member
agencies and beyond.
Through our Literacy Connect program, we are newly
extending our expertise to various types of organizations
that serve adults with low literacy, such as job training
programs, healthcare facilities, and libraries. The professional
development opportunities we provide will help them better
reach people at all skill levels.
Thanks to the efforts and generosity of our donors, funders,
volunteers, and partners, our services benefited an estimated
20,000 adults in fiscal year 2014. We invite you to read about
our many successes in this report.
THANK YOU for supporting our important work!
EXPERTISE INTO
ACTION
Literacy Works is not a literacy program. You might say we are
dozens of literacy programs. From the church basement startups to the cornerstone organizations steeped in history, our
51 member organizations strive tirelessly to offer the kind of
education on which adults with low literacy can build a future.
It’s as epic as it sounds, and Literacy Works is right there with
them.
When literacy program coordinators need support in
recruiting volunteers, Literacy Works shares solutions.
When instructors are struggling to motivate learners in the
classroom, Literacy Works provides resources. And when
tutors wonder how they’ll create a lesson plan, Literacy Works
offers guidance. With decades of experience, unwavering
passion, and ongoing research, our staff brings unparalleled
expertise to Chicago’s adult literacy landscape.
With our expanding Literacy Connect program, our expertise
now reaches beyond adult literacy settings. We train jobreadiness professionals on the most effective ways to
support their low-literate clients. Schools and family learning
programs improve their parent involvement strategies with
our interactive, research-based approaches. Libraries seek
our advice for creating displays and selecting resources that
are user-friendly for their patrons with low literacy. As our list
of partners grows more diverse, we are discovering new and
innovative answers to our favorite question:
HOW CAN LITERACY WORKS HELP?
THE IMPACT
The volunteers and professionals we trained in FY 2014 represent more than 60 organizations across the
Chicago area, where tens of thousands of adult learners and job-seekers are building basic skills.
34
80
120
828
Workforce Development
Professionals
Parent Educators
Adult Learners
Adult Literacy Tutors
and Professionals
GAINING CONFIDENCE:
99%
of the volunteers we trained felt better
prepared to tutor adult learners as a result.
LEARNING NEW CONCEPTS:
100%
of participants in our twelve-hour
Introductory Trainings reported
knowledge gains on the basics in tutoring Adult Basic
Education or English as a Second Language.
USING WHAT THEY LEARNED TO
IMPROVE THEIR PRACTICE:
97%
of tutors who attended our Introductory Training
in the past say that they are still using the
methods from the training in their work with adult learners.
92%
of the workforce development professionals
who attended our Employ Lit training now use
instructional approaches and written materials that meet the
needs of adults at all levels of literacy.
96%
of the parent education professionals who
attended our Family Literacy Opportunities
trainings learned new ways to work with parents with low
literacy.
OUR COLLEAGUES FROM LITERACY AND EMPLOYMENT PROGRAMS
ACROSS CHICAGO RECOGNIZE THE QUALITY AND PASSION THAT
LITERACY WORKS BRINGS TO OUR WORK.
“
Literacy Works’ dedication to
professionalism and to actually making
literacy exciting and accessible is
phenomenal.
“
“
“
Literacy Works has taught me that
literacy is a basic human right and that
the best way to make sure that right
is present in the world … is through
the commitment and collaboration that
they personify every single day.
— KATHERINE “UNCLE BEAR” KLEIN,
formerly of Inspiration Corporation
— STACY RATNER,
Open Books
“
— ANDRÉS MORENO,
Chicago Jobs Council
“
What impresses me the most about
Literacy Works is their ability to
provide amazing, quality services…
Whatever they do, it’s always flawless.
“
“
Literacy Works is staffed by some of
the most caring and dedicated people
I’ve ever met, who help ensure that
adults throughout the Chicago region
have the ability to read, write, and
participate in their communities.
— SHANNON CALLAHAN,
Howard Area Community Center
TR AINING &
SUPPORT
For Volunteer Tutors
We know community-based literacy programs
operate on very modest budgets and do not have
the capacity to offer comprehensive training to
their volunteer tutors.
In fiscal year 2014, we provided 61 trainings and
events to 681 tutors from dozens of adult literacy
programs across the city. Volunteers learn
strategies for creating effective lesson plans,
discover ways to foster positive tutor-learner
relationships, and build confidence in their ability
to work with adults.
PARENT EDUCATION
Training for Adult Learners
and Professionals
We know a parent’s involvement in his child’s
education is essential for the child to succeed
in school. Even parents with low literacy can
play a major role in encouraging their children’s
learning.
In fiscal year 2014, we conducted 27 “Our
Kids Learn” parent workshops, which helped
110 parents and caregivers discover hands-on
ways for building the literacy and academic
skills of their kids. The workshops emphasized
integrating rich conversation with lots of new
vocabulary words into everyday activities.
After each session, participants received a new
children’s book to add to their home libraries.
We know parent educators become more
effective and engaged when they have tools
and training opportunities that meet the needs
of their programs.
In fiscal year 2014, we trained 80 staff
members of family literacy programs, early
childhood centers, and other agencies that
serve parents of young children through our
“Family Literacy Opportunities” workshop
series plus on-site consultation.
We also piloted our Learning Kits for use in
home visiting programs. These resources
provide literacy activities and approaches that
home visitors demonstrate with parents. In
2014, 80 families benefited.
LITER ACY
CONNECT
Training for Non-Literacy
Professionals
We know Chicago’s workforce development
professionals often serve clients with very low
levels of literacy, and they need support to
work with these job-seekers more effectively.
In fiscal year 2014, we trained 34 professionals
in best practices in serving their job-seeking
clients who have low literacy. The only training
of its kind in Chicago, our Employ Lit workshop
provides practical strategies for identifying
low literacy among program participants and
tailoring services to meet their needs.
WRITING
WORKSHOPS
For Adult Learners
We know literacy is essential not just for getting
a job and doing practical tasks, but also for selfexpression. Most literacy programs are not able to
offer enrichment programs that celebrate writing as
a social and creative process.
In fiscal year 2014, we brought our Writers’ Circle
workshop to the adult learners in Tolton Center’s
ESL program. During this two-month residency,
participants wrote and shared their personal stories
and began to see themselves as writers. The
workshop culminated in the publication of their work
in a booklet called Reflections from Yesterday.
TR AINING &
NETWORKING
For Literacy Professionals
We know that staff at literacy programs
benefit from working through challenges with
their colleagues from other organizations.
Gathering to share perspectives and
expertise keeps these professionals informed
and engaged.
In fiscal year 2014, we offered nine training
and networking sessions attended by 99
adult literacy professionals, helping them
discover the wider literacy landscape beyond
their programs and delve into solutions to
common challenges.
Guests at our Much Ado events are always
moved! 2014’s Much Ado about Rio featured
a samba performance and lesson, and it
broke the record for most money raised at a
Literacy Works benefit.
Charline Johnson won our 2014 Inspiration
Award for her remarkable accomplishments
as an adult learner. Now that she has
received her GED, Charline is ready to take
on new goals.
MEMBERS
Literacy Works makes a widespread impact, strengthening adult literacy, parent education, and workforce
development programs in over 30 Chicago communities and several suburbs. In fiscal year 2014, our
membership included the following organizations:
COMPREHENSIVE MEMBERS
Albany Park Community Center
Anixter Center
Asian Human Services
Association House of Chicago
BEST Adult Literacy -- Alpha Temple
Center on Halsted
Centro Autónomo
Centro Romero
Chinese Mutual Aid Association
Christopher House
Coalition of African, Arab, Asian, European,
and Latino Immigrants of IL (CAAAELII)
Connections
Corazón a Corazón
Delta Literacy Project - Delta Sigma Theta
Sorority, Inc.
Dorothy Stang Popular Education Adult High
School
Erie Neighborhood House
Hanul Family Alliance
Heartland Alliance – Refugee & Immigrant
Community Services
Holy Spirit Life Learning Center
Howard Area Community Center
Indo-American Center
Jane Addams Resource Corporation JARC)
Jewish Vocational Service (JVS)
Korean American Community Services
Latino Union
Literacy Volunteers of Western Cook County
Mercy Housing Lakefront
Morton College – Project CARE
Pan-African Association
PODER
RefugeeOne
St. Jerome’s Catholic Church
St. Joseph Services
St. Leonard’s Ministries
St. Sabina Employment Resource Center
South-East Asia Center
The Learning Center (TLC)
Tolton Center of De La Salle Institute
Triton College – Access to Literacy
UCAN Chicago
UIC Center for Literacy
Vietnamese Association of Illinois
World Relief – Chicago
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
MEMBERS
Aquinas Literacy Center
Chicago Citywide Literacy Coalition
Chicago Jobs Council
Growing Home
Literacy Volunteers of Illinois
National Able Network
FAMILY LITERACY MEMBERS
Illinois Action for Children
Instituto del Progreso Latino
Open Books
Telpochcalli Community Education Project
(Tcep)
CONTRIBUTORS
Literacy Works thanks the following contributors who invested in our work
in fiscal year 2014 (July 1, 2013 – June 30, 2014). You helped improve the
quality and capacity of literacy and workforce programs all over Chicago.
$10,000 AND ABOVE
Adams Street Partners, LLC
Anonymous
Helen Brach Foundation
The Brinson Foundation
Chicago Tribune Charities – Holiday
Campaign, a McCormick Foundation fund
The Hideout
Colonel Stanley R. McNeil Foundation,
Bank of America, N.A., Trustee
Polk Bros Foundation
$5,000 - $9,999
Bastian Family Charitable Foundation
Dollar General Literacy Foundation
Anton Motz Memorial Fund
Evanston Community Foundation
$2,500-$4,999
Grosvenor Capital Management
$1,000 - $2,499
Anonymous
Big Stik, LLC
Build-A-Bear Workshop Bear Hugs
Foundation
Geneva Investment Management
Harmann Family – John and Laila Fund of
the Greater Cincinnati Foundation
Jim and Megan Hinchsliff
Cindy O'Flaherty and Gerald Montroy
John Palmer
Christine Sullivan
US Bank
Martha Van Haitsma and Gustavo
Bamberger
$500 - $999
ABC Bank
Appleton House Advisors
Judy and Jeff Bramson
CAS Consulting, LLC
Evanston Subaru
Fairpointe Capital, LLC
Deborah and James Franczek
International Paper
Ramji and Katie Kaul
Micah 6:8 Fund
NewHire
North Shore Community Bank
Jack Scanlon and Susan Obler
$250 - $499
Chicago Human Rhythm Project
Richard and Maryellen Donohue
Mary Ann Dyar and Darel Jevens
Kelly and Mike Hallberg
Irene and Dan Hayes
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Matching Gifts
Program
Ubong Ituen
Mary Jones
Martha Kaplan and John Kelly
Barb Kenny
Brian Kruk
Rich and Betty Levenfeld
Melissa Lee
Jeannette Mihalek and Geof Prairie
Rick Perlstein
Nancy Quinn
Susan Rogers and Richard Stephenson
Charles Rubner
Edward and Eileen Soderstrom
Katherine Soderstrom and Kevin Kirsner
Alison Szopinski
$100 - $249
Donna Sullivan Bass
Joe and Lovely Bastian
Thomas Bell
Greg Borzo and Christine Bertrand
Bill Brock and Claire Nicolay
Ann Marie Brunner and R.J. Vavra
CONTRIBUTORS
Continued
Ina Burd
Cate Cahan
Celina Chatman-Nelson
Lori and Roland Cisneros
Diana Cohen and David Spitulnik
Heather Coman
Bill and Alicia Derrah
Janette Donohue
Kevin and Jennifer Donohue
George and Saralynn Doran
Jeremy and Tera Dunn
Elizabeth Fama
Nanette Favre
Teri Foster
The Hon. and Mrs. Larry Fox
Judith Gaston
Ken and Betsy Golden
Mr. Sam Goodman
Sue and Bruce Gottschall
Linda and Chris Grady-Troia
Caronina Grimble
Lourdene Huhra
Elizabeth Kelly
Christine Kenny and Jim Montes
Malson Kim
Ken and Isabelle Kirsner
Dan and Seena Kohl
Debra Kruk
Philip Kurs
Cathy Lazaroff
Jenna Lee
Steve Lihosit
Will Linder and Jan Bowers
Debbie Marks
Alf and Carol McConnell
Michael McGaughey and Craig Kettles
Mark and Janet McGillivray
Dr. Edwin Miller
Karl and Marcie Molek
Debbie Morales
Joseph and Mary Mulhern
Peggy O'Connell
Mary O'Leary
Robert and Linda Palay
Pepsico
Pam Pifer
David Poole
John and Maureen Powers
Pushpa Prachand
Dan and Jennifer Renninger
Mr. and Mrs. Roland Samples
John Scambiatterra
Amy Schuman & Larry Stoler
Phil Schuster
Renuka Sharma
Liz Feldman and Jay Shefsky
Janet Smith and Jim Loellbach
Frances Soderstrom
Martha Turner
Mr. and Mrs. Stuart Unger
Bonnie and Paul Wagner
Steve Weiss and Linda Scott
Bob and Patricia Wells
Doug Winzelberg
Bonnie Wishne and Bob Kass
UP TO $99
Alice Abraham and Christina Healy
Connie Amon
Ron Barthelt and Mary Lane
Jim Block and Ruth Fuerst
Teddy Bofman
Michael and Yolanda Boin
William Boodro
Joyce Bowles
Sheila Brady
Gail Bush
Laurel and Jeff Capobianco
Anita Caref and Doyle O’Connor
CONTRIBUTORS
Continued
Amina Chaudhri
Cara Chill
Mary Cranker
Elizabeth and Patrick Curran
Megan and Jim Cusick
Andrew Daglas
Pamela and Stephen Devries
Maria Domanskis
Caryn Eberhart
Robbie and Stephanie Engelman
Mr. and Mrs. William Farber
Bonnie Fields
Rosemary and William Fleig
Aidan and Michelle Gilbert
Ellen Grabow
Robyn Grady
Marcia Guthridge
Linda Greenberg Hanessian
Laura Hurwitz
Mr. and Mrs. Stuart Jacobson
Tim Janzen
Lowell and Arita Jevens
Karin Johnsey
Shawanda Jones
Marc Kashinsky
Robin Kidd
Alisa and Bruce Klein
Brad Kruk
Gary and Carol Kuenz
Peggy Kullman
Cindy Larson
Ari Levenfeld and Leonora Willis
John and Dorothy Lloyd-Still
Herbert Lortz
Kate Maehr and Sam Pickering
Michael Matos
Dennis McCann
Linda McLarnan
Bob Mihalek and Amy Holbrook
Jeff and Kristin Mihalek
Jerry and Mary Lou Mihalek
Cathy Miller
Pat Monaghan
Maxine Montes
Viju and Sudhakar Morankar
Stephanie Motz and Mike Fisher
Colleen and Kevin O’Donnell
Noah and Haley O’Donnell
Maria Onesto and Casey Moran
Amy and Allen Oseroff
Liza Palubicki and Marni Levinson
Nick Papastratikos
Katherine Perusek
Tim Peterson and Martha Hoyle
Stephen Joseph Pigozzi
Arleen Prairie
Chris and Patricia Prairie
Gina Redig
Ted Reedy
Doreen Rondo
Sharon Rossmark
Jonathan Riddle
Anita Rowe and Bob Kallen
Chris and Sophia Salituro
Tom and Ann Schneider
Ken Schmetterer and Nancee Siegel
Margye and Robert Smith
Alice Spivack
Diana and Houston Stokes
Angela Stroud
Lenore Sullivan
Elena Aguirre Sznajder
Lynn and Jim Szopinski
Sarah Tanzer
Andrea Twiss-Brooks and Frank Brooks
Paulette and Johnny Wallace
Mr. and Mrs. David Weber
Anne Wells
Betty Wells
Megan Wells
Tim and Hilary Wells
Jeffrey Robert Weniger
Susan and David Werther
Marsha and Taylor Yates
Lisa Ziems and Francisco Borras
FINANCIALS
Fiscal Year 2014
INCOME BY SOURCE
2%
Fees
EXPENSE BY CATEGORY
4%
Dues
3%
9%
General Management
and Administration
Individuals
14%
Special
Events
5%
Corporations
66%
Foundations
8%
Fundraising
89%
Program
Services
FINANCIALS
Fiscal Year 2014
FISCAL YEAR ENDED
FISCAL YEAR ENDED
June 30, 2014
June 30, 2013
Total public support and revenue (unrestricted)
296,328
286,151
Total expenses
290,595
268,268
Excess of revenue over expenses
5,733
17,883
Beginning of the fiscal year
162,626
144,743
End of the fiscal year
168,359
162,626
Current total assets
170,029
164,331
Current liabilities
1,670
1,705
Total liabilities and net assets (unrestricted)
170,029
164,331
NET ASSETS: