l l i i c c y y c c n n a a u u r r 2015 o o e e C C of Reading-Berks of Reading-Berks Annual Report t t i i

L L Josephine Bondonese Josephine Department Store Boscov’s Bridget Cambria, Esq. P.C. Cambria & Kline, Partner, Janet Clemmer Retired Registered Nurse Hector Delgado Student Representative Emily L. Hershey Wilson School District Cassandra Hillegass Dr. Central Penn College Jacquelyn M. Kline, Esq. Cambria & Kline, P.C. Partner, Pat Snyder C. Malcolm Smith, CPA Call: 610.670.9960 Fax: 610.927.4876 Email: [email protected] l l i i c c y y c c n n Board of Directors Board www.lcrb.org a a u u r r o o e e C C of Reading-Berks of Reading-Berks t t i i

L L Literacy Council of Reading-Berks 35 South Dwight Street 19609 Lawn, PA West President Robert Libutti, Retired, UGI Energy Services VicePresident Jason Brudereck, Foundation Berks County Community Secretary Ronald J. Hunsicker, Engineer Cheryl Kulp, Treasurer Goodwill Keystone Area hard-working adult learners. hard-working adult and commitment of our amazing and commitment of success without the dedication of success without volunteers, generous donors, and volunteers, generous would not be celebrating 47 years be celebrating would not The Literacy Council of Reading-Berks Council of The Literacy A Message from the Executive Director The Literacy Council by the Numbers

Dear Friends, Low wages THANK YOU! We are grateful for your support in 2015. With your help, we 20% of Americans read Mission: below the level needed continued to expand programming and partnerships throughout the community The mission of the Literacy Council to help meet the needs of adult learners and their families. We are changing lives of Reading-Berks is to help people to earn a living wage every day. better communicate, collaborate and contribute to their workplace With this annual report, the Literacy Council of Reading-Berks is pleased to share and community. our work and the people, programs and partners that contributed to another year of addressing literacy in Berks County. The Literacy Council helped over 600 Vision: adult learners from many different countries achieve job and college readiness To eradicate illiteracy in Berks County skills, financial independence, good health and greater involvement in our by teaching people the vital reading, community. Over 70 volunteers helped as trained literacy tutors, class instructors writing, speaking, listening and and board members. Our major language skills needed to improve their quality of life and enable fundraiser, Readers WIN!, was a more productive employment and The Literacy Council great success—earning the most Low community citizenship. helped over 600 adult money ever in its history! literacy Poor healthcare means Approximately 50% of Americans learners, representing many Collaborations with organizations Values and Goals: such as Reading Area Community read so poorly that they are unable different countries Respect for all College, the Literacy Coalition to perform simple tasks such as of Central Texas, the Reading Public Empower volunteers and staff reading prescription drug labels Library, Trinity Lutheran Church and the Muhlenberg Community Library allowed us to to provide quality services continue to spread our important message. Provide a of literacy services Council staff presented at the annual Association for Adult Continuing Higher crime rates Education (PAACE) Conference as well as the Pennsylvania Workforce Development Develop curricula to respond to Penal institution records show that Association’s Annual Employment, Training and Education Conference. the changing literacy needs of inmates have a 16% chance of returning the community to prison if they receive literacy help, as We enthusiastically enter 2016 with plans to improve our website to showcase adult opposed to 70% who receive no help learners, volunteer tutors and life-changing programs. We also are excited to position Implement innovative technology and techniques ourselves as the “English as a Second Language experts” in Berks County through our United Way of Berks County and Wyomissing Foundation-sponsored English Forward Network to identify resources Program. This will allow us to continue to build our capacity to serve adults and families and partnerships with literacy needs while making an impact in Berks County. Guide all participants in In 2015 we provided the following services: 2015 Financial Report achieving their goals We hope that you will read this report with the same pride One-on-One Tutoring: 136 students; 4,117 hours of tutoring that we have in reflecting on the creative and forward- Revenue: $443,153.85 ELA1 Classes: 328 students; 11,433 hours of class thinking ways in which our staff and board of directors Contributions and Gifts: $89,828.85 2 approach literacy in Berks County. We invite you to take HEP Classes: 294 students; 9,861 hours of class Fee-for-Service Programs: $37,489.18 a moment to learn more about the Literacy Council’s Citizenship Preparation Classes: 74 students; 888 hours Federal, State and United Way Grants: $315,835.82 accomplishments, programs, learners and volunteers by Tutor Volunteers: 66; 23,046 volunteer hours visiting our website and/or joining us at an event! Non-tutor Volunteers: 16; 538 volunteer hours Expenses: $404,359.80 Literacy Program Services: $272,461.92

Ryan A. Breisch Management and General: $116,929.66 Fundraising: $14,968.22 Executive Director 1ELA – English Language Acquisition 2HEP – High School Equivalency Program Success in a New Country Entering College and Careers

In Berks County, and especially Reading, one of the greatest One-on-One tutoring at the Literacy Council has many needs is English-language instruction. In 2015, the Literacy different needs and structures. While students are Council began impacting that need in a unique way by starting usually working towards a long-term goal, sometimes the English Forward program. The program was introduced to there is an immediate need and a very short timeline us by the Literacy Coalition of Central Texas in December 2014. to complete the educational training. K.M. is currently employed in the healthcare field as a Certified Nursing English Forward includes training for instructors and a Assistant. She scheduled her test for entrance to begin curriculum designed specifically for community-based LPN training to advance her position and employment organizations. Our vision is to equip community members possibilities. She is a single 32-year-old mother with and organizations to start their own English-language classes. four children. She was matched with a tutor; the new Many individuals who need language instruction may feel pair only had a little over two weeks to study for the uncomfortable going to an unfamiliar place and taking a entrance exam (TEAS). The student and her tutor long test to join a class. This program will allow for classes in decided that grammar and reading comprehension neighborhoods where individuals can feel comfortable and should be her areas of focus for the exam. They meet in places where they would be more likely to attend. for an average of four hours a week and the student The Literacy Council held four English Forward trainings in feels much more confident in her abilities now. The 2015, reaching over 40 participants. As a result, new English student takes her lessons very seriously, and the tutor classes began at the Mother Veronica Resource Center, shared with me that the student is very appreciative Many Rivers Learning Center and Goodwill Shillington. of the time they spend together. This student is very Through the training and follow-up communication, we motivated and puts her studies first in her very busy were able to support these new classes with guidance, life. We are sure all of the hard work the student is materials, students and much more. Additionally, we had putting in will pay off! the opportunity to support and improve several existing programs in the city. Through the trainings, we also equipped over ten new volunteers who were sent to various programs to help with instruction. Readers WIN! We look forward to impacting the community even School Participants more in 2016! The Readers WIN! Campaign is our largest fundraiser and has been in existence since 1994. It is a read-a- thon in which Berks County school students are invited A Brighter Future for Children to participate and win prizes. They raise $1 for every book, magazine, or newspaper article they read. While we stand on our record as a top adult educator, 13th & Union Elementary Penn-Bernville Elementary we’ve always known that the outcome of our work Bethel Elementary Perry Elementary improves children’s lives. We decided to make a stronger commitment to children’s programs, so Gov. Mifflin Intermediate Reiffton Elementary we’ve partnered with the Greater Jacksonwald Elementary Riverside Elementary Reading Cops ‘n’ Kids Program, Lorane Elementary Schuylkill Valley Elementary which collects books to Oley Valley Elementary Tilden Elementary provide a minimum of one Owatin Creek Elementary Tyson – Schoener Elementary book per child throughout the school districts located in the Greater Reading area and other organizations. We look forward to growing this partnership and serving even more Reading-area children and schools. The following organizations and individuals made our programs possible in 2015. Donations received between January 1, 2015 and December 31, 2015 are recognized here. Every effort has 2015 been made to list donors and volunteers accurately. Please inform the office of any corrections CONTRIBUTORS at 610.670.9960.

PRINCIPLE FUNDERS In Memory of Mrs. Mildred Mr. and Mrs. Paul S. Rittenhouse Mr. and Mrs. Jonathan F. Meter IN-KIND DONATIONS RECOGNITION OF OUR WONDERFUL VOLUNTEERS Schlageter Pennsylvania Department of Education Mr. and Mrs. David W. Rohrbach Ms. Brenda N. Meyers Anthony’s Trattoria Mr. and Mrs. David J. Svenson – Division of Adult Literacy (through Mrs. Gloria Moser Applebee’s Reading Area Community College) Dr. and Mrs. W. David Rule Ms. Lynne M. Murray In Memory of the Son of Austin’s Lisa Adams Sandie Evans Carol Lauer United Way of Berks County Sharon and Julian Syret Ms. Eugenia Sowicz Mr. and Mrs. James Murry Berks County Community Foundation Joan Baldino Nancy Everson Robert Libutti Dr. and Mrs. Elliot Leisawitz Mrs. Doris S. Stapleton Mr. and Mrs. Robert A. Myers Berks Lanes Mr. and Mrs. David J. Svenson Mr. and Mrs. Nat D. Napoletano Diedre Bausher Hilary Fraley Louise Ludwig FOUNDATIONS ($10,000+) In Memory of Mrs. Gladys Talys Bowl-O-Rama Mr. and Mrs. Mehmet S. Taner Mr. Richard Natal Linda Beck Meg Gallagher James Marshall Dollar General Literacy Foundation Mrs. Barbara Kessler The Bridge Inn Ms. Elizabeth Taylor Mrs. Joan Neustadter Wendy Berger Cheryl Gallo Freddie Martin Henry Janssen Foundation Mr. and Mrs. Dennis R. Keibach Burger King Ms. Barbara B. Thun Ms. Sandra Nevitt Valerie Bernheiser Debi Garcia-Ferry Judy McMechan Wyomissing Foundation In Honor of HCS 2003 Class Reunion Chick-fil-A, Exeter Rachel Mrs. Lidia Zidik Mr. and Mrs. Dennis L. O’Brien Don Bickel Bernice Gehman Robert McMechan Chick-fil-A, Wyomissing Pastor and Mrs. Fred Opalinski CORPORATIONS, FOUNDATIONS, In Honor of Her Student, CONTRIBUTORS ($1 – $99) Chili’s Linda Blanchet Rose Gehringer Sandee Nevitt Mr. Steve Minicozzi Mrs. Mary Ann Posey CHURCHES Mrs. Marion L. Angstadt Crowne Plaza Hotel Josephine Bondonese Barbara Geisler Kimberly Nichols Mrs. Lisa S. Adams Mr. and Mrs. Edward L. Reindle BENEFACTORS ($1,000 - $9,999) Mr. and Mrs. Walter G. Axsmith Dan’s at Green Hills Joan Breisch George Gerhart Alfred Pettit In Honor of Thelma Urban for Ms. Diane S. Rurode Alsace Lutheran Church Mr. and Mrs. Don Bickel Edible Arrangements Jason Brudereck Shawn Glancy Thomas Powell Her Dedication to Educating the Ms. Josephine Bondonese Mrs. Nancee Ryan Book Bonanza Less Fortunate Educational and Fun Patricia Buzzard Matt Goldstan Josephine Quaglia Mr. and Mrs. Mark J. Braun Mr. and Mrs. Michael A. Schiffman The Heider Fund of Berks Co./BCCF Mr. Jason Brudereck Mr. and Mrs. James R. Schwank Effie’s Charcoal Grill Bridget Cambria Carlene Graham Patrick Quinn Mr. and Mrs. Arthur C. Brudereck Envy Spa Jerlyn Trust Foundation BENEFACTORS ($1,000 – $9,999) Mr. and Mrs. John G. Tripolitis Marilyn Carter Ann Gundry Pamela Reeves Ms. Rachel G. Burket Fox Theaters St. John’s Lutheran Church, Mrs. Elizabeth C. Wolfe Ms. Amanda Vargas Roberto Castello-Ortiz John Harper Patricia Richter Sinking Spring Mr. and Mrs. Daniel A. Casciano Mr. and Mrs. M. Herbert Wachs Frank and Diannah’s Arbor Inn Southwest Berks Chapter of Thrivent PATRONS ($500 – $999) Ms. Lillian Chinnici Marianne Cerra Valeri Harteg Elias Rivera Mr. and Mrs. Clarence F. Wrobel Friendly’s Restaurant UGI Energy Services Mr. and Mrs. James M. Elliker Mrs. Helen Clogston Susan Chai John Herring Andrew Robinson Ms. Jackie York Gasser’s Mini Golf West Wyomissing Fire Company Mr. Steven S. Keiser Mr. and Mrs. Thomas E. Connor Valerie Chamberlain Emily Hershey Ed Schaeffer Ms. Jenny Zehner Kasper TV and Appliances Wyomissing Optometric Center, Inc. Mrs. Jean A. Smith Ms. Donna Conrad Klingers on Carsonia Patricia Chubb Cassandra Hillegass Lisa Schappell Dr. and Mrs. David E. Texter Mr. and Mrs. John DeMartino PATRONS ($500 – $999) Marvel Ranch Janet Clemmer Christa Hirneisen Steffany Snell Thank You! Mr. and Mrs. Stratton P. Yatron Mr. and Mrs. Clair L. Derr BEQUESTS Alcon, Inc. The Merchandiser Patricia Clubb Ann Marie Hopler Linda Snyder Mr. and Mrs. Douglas F. Didyoung The Estate of William Edmondson For 47 years we have had Blue Mountain Foundation SPONSORS ($250 – $499) Moe’s Southwest Grill, Exeter Donna “Kate” Conrad Ronald J. Hunsicker Patricia Snyder Ms. Jean Dodge-Kline Breidegam Family Foundation (East Mr. and Mrs. Earl W. Andrews Mom Chaffe’s Cellarette the pleasure of serving Mrs. Frances A. Doherty Regina Costa Georgianne Jones Joanne Stamm Penn Manufacturing) Mr. and Mrs. Scott M. Hirneisen COMMUNITY PARTNERS Kimberly Nichols our students’ dreams and Mr. and Mrs. Roger F. Eichlin Vanessa Culbertson Pat Jones Rebecca Straus Herbein & Company, Inc. Mr. and Mrs. Ronald Hunsicker Berks Connections Pretrial Services Olive Garden Restaurant Mr. and Mrs. Harry G. Eisenbise Jaime DelCollo Cynthia Kadel Jordan Thomas your hopes for them. As a Madison Farm Foundation Mr. and Mrs. Kevin J. Ochs Berks County Community Foundation Otterbox Dr. and Mrs. Kenneth J. Emkey Hector Delgado Deborah Kirlin Karen Tripolitis Literacy Council volunteer Northwest Berks Chapter of Thrivent Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth W. Snyder Berks County Workforce Development Outback Steakhouse Mr. and Mrs. Richard D. Evans or donor, you have St. Mark’s Evangelical Lutheran Church Ms. Wanda Weniger Board Outside In Phyllis Dessel Lily Kober Keith Wetzel Dr. and Mrs. Marc Filstein Mr. and Mrs. Richard W. Zuidema Brentwood Industries Ozzy’s Sports Fun Center Helen Didyoung Jacquelyn Kline Amy Whetstone enabled students to earn SUBSCRIBERS ($100 – $249) Mr. and Mrs. Alan Fineman Callowhill Café Peanut Bar Joanne Dillman Cheryl Kulp Leslie Wohlbruck life-supporting wages, Cambria & Kline, P.C. SUBSCRIBERS ($100 – $249) Mr. Robert K. Fleck CareerLink, Berks County Eagles Christina Edginton Kathy Landis Carolyn Young Catherine V. and Marin W. Hofmann Mr. and Mrs. Theodore Aarons Ms. Sara S. Flowers build stable families and Centro Hispano Foundation Mrs. Lisa S. Adams Mr. and Mrs. John Gajewski purchase homes. Crowne Plaza, Reading Philly Soft Pretzel Factory Gerhart Pest Control Mrs. Harriet M. Baskin Ms. Ann M. Gatto East Penn Manufacturing Company Pink Calyx Glenside Elementary School Mr. and Mrs. Daniel E.P. Bausher Ms. Bernice G. Gehman Elbeco R.M. Palmer Candy Godiva Chocolatier Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey A. Beam Mr. and Mrs. John A. Goldstan Epiphany Lutheran Church Company LITERACY COUNCIL ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF Morgan Stanley Mr. and Mrs. Ryan A. Breisch Mr. and Mrs. Nicholas Giardiello Goodwill Keystone Area Reading Movies 11 + IMAX R. M. Palmer Company Mr. Jason Brudereck Mrs. Elizabeth A. Hamilton Immanuel United Church of Christ Reading Parking Authority Run for Sam, Inc. Ms. Jin Chen Mrs. Dorace E. Harding Literacy Coalition of Central Texas Silicon Valley Community Foundation Ms. Janet C. Clemmer Mrs. Emily Hershey Ryan A. Breisch, Executive Director Many Rivers Learning Center Reading Royals Hockey Shillington Lions Club Foundation Mr. and Mrs. Bruce Dietrich Mr. and Mrs. Darlington Hoopes, Jr. Laurie Dawkins, Associate Director Mi Casa Su Casa Redbox St. Paul’s UCC Women’s Guild Mrs. Cassandra L. Evans Mr. and Mrs. Scott M. Hunsicker Beverly Hirneisen, Case Manager Monterey Mushrooms Red Lobster VF Outlet, Inc. Ms. Jeanne Fegley Ms. Constance P. Johns Mother Veronica Resource Center St. John’s UCC, Wernersville Cathy Martin, English Forward Coordinator CONTRIBUTORS ($1– $99) Dr. and Mrs. Francis J. Gallagher Mr. Atanase Joseph Muhlenberg Community Library Santino’s Restaurant Robert Rio, Evening Desk Person Conrad Weiser Middle School Dr. Connie Gallen Mr. and Mrs. Michael Kastenbaum Pennsylvania Area Health Education Schell’s Mini Golf Wendy Rio, Data Entry Coordinator Doerrman Enterprises Mr. Matthew S. Goldstan Mr. and Mrs. Richard T. Kimball Center (AHEC) Sheetz Lillian Svenson, Administrative Assistant Jewish Federation of Reading Dr. Ann T. Gundry Mrs. Ethel Kinkaid Pennsylvania CareerLink, Berks County Skate-a-way Reading Religious Society of Friends Mr. John E. Herring Mrs. Nancy J. Knoblauch Penn State Hershey, St. Joseph Stopper’s Great Food and Spirits Trinity Lutheran Church Ms. June C. Horning Mrs. Mary B. Kreider Pitney Bowes Lillian Svenson Dr. Judith Karabelnik Mr. Jacob Kutz Mr. and Mrs. Roy W. Kegerize Reading Area Community College Target, Wyomissing INDIVIDUAL DONORS Ms. Kathryn M. Landis Ms. Sook Kim Reading Fightin’ Phils Thai Cuisine LITERACY COUNCIL INSTRUCTIONAL STAFF In Memory of Mr. Milford Dr. and Mrs. Elliot Leisawitz Mr. and Mrs. Robert S. Lefkowith Reading Muhlenberg Career and Trinity Lutheran Church, Reading “Tony” Dunlap Ms. Maria Longo Technology Center Mr. and Mrs. Robert J. Libutti Wal-Mart, Temple Senior Club of Laureldale Dr. and Mrs. Gerald P. Malick Reading Public Library Dr. and Mrs. Charles Minehart Wal-Mart, Wyomissing Mr. and Mrs. David J. Svenson Mr. and Mrs. Francis B. Mazurkiewicz Remcon Plastics Donald Bickel Alaine Gutierrez Ramona Turpin Dr. C. Susan Munch Walt Disney World Resorts In Memory of Paul Safir Mr. and Mrs. Robert E. McMechan Sweet Street Desserts Allison Dracha Patricia Rittenhouse William Wagner Ms. Cynthia Oswald West Lawn United Methodist Church Mrs. Marcia Auman Ms. Deborah L. McCone Trinity Lutheran Church, Reading Mr. Scott C. Painter, Esq. Carolyn Young Susan Fineman Pamela Sonon Mr. and Mrs. Donald Bickel Mr. and Mrs. David H. McLain United Community Services Mr. Alfred W. Petit Dr. and Mrs. John G. Meharg, Jr. Wernersville State Hospital Mr. Steven Potteiger