Literacy Council of Reading-Berks

Literacy Council of Reading-Berks Dear Friends, A MESSAGE

I have had the pleasure to serve the students, volunteers FROM THE and donors of the Literacy Council of Reading-Berks EXECUTIVE since 1993, initially as the ESL Coordinator and now as DIRECTOR the Executive Director. Over these years, I have watched this organization’s Board, staff, students and volunteers continually raise the bar for success. In 2016, 780 adults completed a record 25,579 learning hours in Ryan A. Breisch literacy classes across the county. More adults than Executive Director ever before took vital steps toward a brighter future. Successes like these have led to creating a passionate Board of Directors with a highly diverse skill set. These successes have inspired the creation of working committees so that these dedicated Board members can use their time, expertise and energy to focus on the needs of the students and volunteers in a new way that takes the agency to new levels of success. Student achievement, along with the strength and reputation of our organization’s programs and partnerships, will be the foundation of our future success. As we move forward in 2017 and beyond, I am proud of what the Council accomplished in 2016 and excited about our future. The Literacy Council continues to grow and is strong and vibrant. Together we will continue our efforts to transform lives through the doorway of literacy. Thank you so much for making an impact.

MISSION VALUES AND GOALS The mission of the Literacy Council of Reading-Berks Respect for all is to help people better communicate, collaborate Empower volunteers and staff to provide and contribute to their workplace and community. quality services

Provide a spectrum of literacy services VISION Develop curricula to respond to the changing literacy needs of the community To eradicate illiteracy in Berks County by teaching people the vital reading, writing, speaking, listening Implement innovative technology and techniques and language skills needed to improve their quality Network to identify resources and partnerships of life and enable more productive employment and community citizenship. Guide all participants in achieving their goals

ON THE COVER: Luis Herrera, a lawyer from the Dominican Republic, is learning to read and write in English 2 to become a professional in the United States. THE LITERACY COUNCIL BY THE NUMBERS IN 2016 WE PROVIDED THE FOLLOWING SERVICES:

One-on-One 136 students / 4,117 hours of tutoring Tutoring

ESL Classes 336 students / 11,433 hours of class

HEP1 Classes 294 students / 9,861 hours of class

Citizenship 14 students / 168 hours of class Preparation Classes

Tutor 58 / 4,292 volunteer hours Volunteers

Non-tutor 20 / 1,132 volunteer hours Volunteers

1HEP – High School Equivalency Program

2016 FINANCIAL REPORT

REVENUE: Fundraising EXPENSES: $398,062.74 (Special Events): Fundraising: $399,312.05 $22,160.24 $12,984.14

Contributions, Gifts, Foundations: Management and $89,828.85 General: $127,358.49 Fee-for-Service Programs: $27,128.62

Federal, State and Literacy Program United Way Grants: Services: $258,945.03 $258,969.42 3 STUDENT PROFILES

In Puerto Rico, I was a Licensed Social Worker providing social services to the elderly population, individuals with disabilities and residents facing chronic diseases. In addition to this, I was in charge of providing recreational and cognitive activities to people diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease and other mental disorders. I earned a Master’s Degree in Science of Mental Health Counseling COMMUNITY HEALTH WORKER from the University of Phoenix. I am a skilled person helping people who are struggling with substance abuse and HIV/AIDS.

It was very challenging for me to decide to come to the United States. I had three reasons why I decided to land here. First, the lack of resources helping children with special needs. Second, besides my background education MY NAME IS ZAIDA and professional GUADALUPE-SÁNCHEZ. I AM experience, my pay FROM MY BEAUTIFUL AND rate per hour was NEVER-TO-BE-FORGOTTEN $9.35. My third one, SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO. because I dream big. I want something different for me and my family.

Thanks to the Community Health Worker class, I am currently working at Safe Berks, formerly Berks Women in Crisis, as a Medical Case Manager / Healthcare Navigator. I am assisting victims of domestic violence and sexual assault to improve their direct access to healthcare services and resources.

The CHW class helped me get this job. I can say this is like another university. My employer was looking for someone who had taken this training (as part of the job requirements) plus was knowledgeable in social services. They were exploring during the interview how much I know about our community. Thanks to this training, I was able to answer those questions.

The class also prepared me for the work I do at Safe Berks. I have so many contacts on hand thanks to this training. I know how to navigate the community and assist clients to find resources according to their needs. The CHW binder is part of my personal library.

In the future, I would like to become a Licensed Professional Counselor and continue growing professionally. I dream in the near future to be an instructor in a community college, giving classes related to mental health and social work.

4 When I was a little girl, I remember my parents struggled with speaking and understanding English. They would always take one of their children to help them when they would go to appointments. Being an interpreter for my parents allowed me to help other people in my family and also some of our neighbors, and I enjoyed it. That is how I became interested in teaching English. I heard about the ESL workshop through a flyer I saw in my e-mail from my job. It stated that there would be training for whoever wanted to teach English sponsored by the Literacy Council. I jumped at the opportunity and registered for the classes right away.

I got certified to teach ESL classes, so I started to teach as soon as I could. I love the students and their willingness to learn. I have to admit that it is a little more challenging than I thought because I am bilingual and my students tend ESL TEACHER to speak to me in Spanish. Since Spanish is my first language, I catch myself answering them in Spanish. I am getting better at it though, and I know I will be of much help to those in need of learning English as their second language. So far it has been a great experience and I enjoy every minute of being able to help them with this much- HELLO, MY NAME IS needed language here in the NORMA ESPADA. I AM United States. CURRENTLY TEACHING AN ESL CLASS AT I thank the Literacy Council for giving us the opportunity to 13TH AND UNION be able to get the certification ELEMENTARY SCHOOL. that is needed to be able to help the people who need to learn the English language.

A BRIGHTER FUTURE READERS WIN! CAMPAIGN FOR CHILDREN The Readers WIN! Campaign is our largest fundraiser While we stand on our record as a top adult and has been in existence since 1994. It is a read-a-thon educator, we’ve always known that the outcome of in which Berks County school students are invited to our work improves children’s participate and win prizes. They raise $1 for every book, lives. We decided to make magazine or newspaper article they read. a stronger commitment Participants include: to children’s programs, so GREATER READING 13th & Union Elementary Penn-Bernville Elementary we’ve partnered with the COPS ’n’ KIDS PROGRAM Bethel Elementary Perry Elementary Greater Reading Cops Gov. Mifflin Intermediate Reiffton Elementary ‘n’ Kids Program, which Jacksonwald Elementary Riverside Elementary collects books to provide a Lorane Elementary Schuylkill Valley Elementary minimum of one book per Oley Valley Elementary Tilden Elementary child throughout the school districts located in the Owatin Creek Elementary Tyson – Schoener Elementary Greater Reading area and other organizations. We look forward to growing this partnership and serving even more Reading-area children and schools. 5 PRINCIPLE FUNDERS Reading Public Library Ms. Donna C. “Kate” Conrad 2016 Reading Metro Taxicab, Inc. Mr. & Mrs. Terry A. Debold – Department of Education J. M. Reider Associates In Honor of Helen Didyoung CONTRIBUTORS – Division of Adult Literacy Mr. & Mrs. Clair L. Derr, Jr. (through Reading Area Community College) Shillington Lions Club Mr. & Mrs. Edward H. Doerrman United Way of Berks County Super Natural & Fresh Produce, Inc. St. Paul’s United Church of Christ Mrs. Frances Doherty – Wyomissing Optometric Center In Memory of Mr. Edmund Doherty The following FOUNDATIONS Mrs. Lisa Adams – Ms. Janice Eisenbise organizations and Elaine Baro Trust In Honor of Nancy Rehr Mr. & Mrs. John Evans individuals made our Berks County Community Foundation Ms. Megan Adukaitis J. Kitridge Fegley programs possible Dollar General Literacy Foundation Mrs. Harriet M. Baskin – Dr. & Mrs. Marc Filstein in 2016. Donations Fidelity Charitable Grant In Memory of Bessie & Sam Miller Mr. & Mrs. Alan E. Fineman received between Catherine V. & Martin W. Hofmann Mr. & Mrs. Philip T. Banser Ms. Ann M. Gatto January 1, 2016 and Foundation Mrs. Deidre L. Bausher Ms. Bernice G. Gehman December 31, 2016 Henry Janssen Foundation Mr. Garland J. Bear – Ms. Karen H. Good are recognized here. Jerlyn Trust In Memory of Pat Bear Mrs. Elizabeth A. Hamilton Mr. & Mrs. Jeffrey A. Behm Every effort has been Townsend Press – John Langan Mr. & Mrs. David L. Harber Mr. & Mrs. Harold W. Breisch made to list donors Wells Fargo Foundation Mrs. Dorace E. Harding Mr. & Mrs. Jason E. Brudereck – and volunteers Fred & Mary Jane Wolf Foundation Ms. Kathleen J. Hartman In Memory of Mrs. Thelma Urban Mr. Dennis Heimbach accurately. Please Mr. & Mrs. Daniel A. Casciano BEQUESTS, BENEFACTORS, Mr. & Mrs. Paul J. Hoh inform the office of Ms. Jin Chen PATRONS & SPONSORS Mr. & Mrs. Darlington Hoopes, Jr. any corrections at Ms. Janet Clemmer Mr. Christopher Hunsicker – 610.670.9960. BEQUESTS ($9,000+) Mr. & Mrs. John M. DeMartino In Honor of Ronald J. Hunsicker Barbara M. Alspach Trust Ms. Renee L. Dietrich Ms. Katarzyna Janiszewski William R. Edmunson Trust Mr. & Mrs. Roger F. Eichlin Mr. & Mrs. Michael Kastenbaum BENEFACTORS ($1,000+) Mr. & Mrs. James Elliker Mr. & Mrs. Edward J. Kelly, Jr. Green Valley Elementary School Mr. H. Anderson Ellsworth Mr. & Mrs. Richard T. Kimball West Wyomissing Fire Co. Dr. & Mrs. Francis B. Gallagher Ms. Mary B. Kreider Mrs. Elizabeth C. Wolfe Mr. Matthew Goldstan Dr. & Mrs. Elliott Leisawitz Mr. & Mrs. Terry Grassley Ms. Maria A. Longo PATRONS ($500 – $999) Dr. Ann T. Gundry Dr. & Mrs. Gerald P. Malick Alsace Lutheran Church Mr. & Mrs. Joseph A. Harmon Mr. & Mrs. Francis B. Mazurkiewicz Berks County Bar Association Mr. John E. Herring Ms. Deborah McCone East Penn Manufacturing Mr. & Mrs. Scott A. Hirneisen Mr. & Mrs. Robert E. McMechan Quadrant EPP USA, Inc. Mrs. Georgianne Jones Dr. & Mrs. John G. Meharg, Jr. St. Mark’s Evangelical Lutheran Church Ms. Sook Kim Ms. Lynne M. Murray UGI Energy Services - Mr. Mike Gibbs Ms. Hong Lin Mrs. Mary Ann Posey Mr. Charles A. Gerhart & Ruth A. Hines Dr. & Mrs. Charles R. Minehart Mr. Steven Keiser Mr. & Mrs. Thomas K. Powell Dr. C. Susan Munch Mrs. Jean A. Smith – Mr. Randall Rentschler Pastor & Mrs. Fred S. Opalinski In Memory of John W. Smith Mr. & Mrs. Paul S. Rittenhouse, Jr. Mr. & Mrs. Henry A. Peters Dr. & Mrs. David E. Texter Ms. Stephanie Roth Atty. Scott C. Painter Mr. & Mrs. Stratton B. Yatron Mrs. Nancee S. Ryan Ms. Tina Pham Mrs. Janet H. Schlegel SPONSORS ($250 – $499) Mrs. Monica Rainville-Thomas Mr. & Mrs. Frederick C. Sheeler Custom Milling & Consulting – Mr. & Mrs. David W. Rohrbach Mrs. Jean A. Smith – Mr. & Mrs. Joseph Zidik Dr. & Mrs. David Rule, O.D. In Memory of Mr. John W. Smith Customers Bank Mr. & Mrs. Michael A. Schiffman Mr. & Mrs. Mark J. Smith St. John’s Lutheran Church Ms. Eugenia Sowicz Mr. & Mrs. Willard F. Smith Vanity Fair Outlet - Mr. Rick Ott, VP Mrs. Doris S. Stapleton Mr. & Mrs. Larry D. Stamm Mr. & Mrs. Earl W. Andrews Ms. Rebecca E. Straus – Mr. & Mrs. David J. Svenson – Dr. & Mrs. Stephen Carlson In Honor of Eli Goldblatt In Memory of Ray Whiting Mr. & Mrs. Ronald J. Hunsicker Ms. Denise Strohmayr Mr. & Mrs. Frederick A. Swope Mr. & Mrs. Robert J. Libutti Mr. & Mrs. David J. Svenson Ms. Sharon Vaughn Mr. & Mrs. Steven R. Myzyka Mrs. Elizabeth A. Taylor Dr. & Mrs. Herbert A. Wachs Mr. & Mrs. Kevin J. Ochs Ms. Sharon Vaughn Mrs. Susie Wheatley – Mr. & Mrs. Kenneth W. Snyder, Jr. Mr. Eric D. Weimer In Memory of Grace Wheatley Mr. & Mrs. Richard Zuidema Ms. Wanda Weniger Mr. & Mrs. James A. Williamson, Jr. Mr. Edward Yanowski Mr. & Mrs. Chip Worth INDIVIDUAL DONORS Ms. Jacki York CONTRIBUTORS ($25 – $99) Mrs. Jenny Zehner SUBSCRIBERS ($100 – $249) Mr. Jason E. Brudereck – Berks County Mustang Car Club, Inc. Berks Co. Community Foundation CONTRIBUTORS ($1 – $24) DeCarlo’s Food Market Corp. for Giving Tuesday Anonymous – Godiva Chocolatier Mr. Jason Brudereck – In Honor of Alfred W. Pettit Kautter & Kelley Architects In Memory of Thelma Urban Ms. Yvena Charles – Northeast Family Dentistry Ms. Rachel Burket In Honor of Ray Whiting Reading Knights, Inc. Ms. Helen Clogston Mr. Hector Delgado Reading Plaza Food Corp. Mr. Thomas E. Connor Ms. Christina E. Edginton 6 Mr. William Gartner Educational & Fun Mr. Kelly K. Hartman Effie’s Charcoal Chef RECOGNITION OF OUR WONDERFUL VOLUNTEERS Ms. Fatima Karabashova Fox Theaters Lisa Adams Debra Goodman Mrs. Gloria A. Moser Judy’s on Cherry Megan Adukaitis Carlene Graham Ms. Nina Quaglia Moe’s Southwest Grill #6227 Joan Baldino Terry Grassley Mr. & Mrs. Clarence F. Wrobel Olive Garden Restaurant Linda Beck Ann Gundry Ms. Doris M. Fraser – Outback Steakhouse Lynn Benusa John Harper In Honor of All Immigrants Ozzy’s Family Fun Center Wendy Berger John Herring PC Ninja COMMUNITY PARTNERS Peanut Bar Valerie Bernheiser Emily Hershey Philly Pretzel Donald Bickel Cassandra Hillegass Berks Community Television (BCTV) R M Palmer Linda Blanchet Christa Hirneisen Berks Connections Pretrial Services RC Movies 11 & IMAX Angela Blum Ronald Hunsicker Berks County Community Foundation Reading Public Museum Josephine Bondonese Cynthia Kadel Berks County Workforce Development Board Jason Brudereck Deborah Kirlin Centro Hispano Red Lobster Patricia Buzzard Jacquelyn Kline Covenant Church Santino’s Family Restaurant Bridget Cambria Lily Kober DoubleTree by Hilton Say Cheese! Stephen Carlson Cheryl Kulp El Portico Church Schell’s Joel Caves Robert Libutti Goodwill Keystone Area Stopper’s Great Food & Spirits Susan Chai James Marshall Greater Reading Chamber of Commerce Target and Industry Patricia Chubb Judy McMechan Temple Wal-Mart Store #2614 Greater Reading Immigration Project Janet Clemmer Robert McMechan Outside In Restaurant & Bar Immanuel United Church of Christ Michael Collins Susan Miller The Rose Group - Applebee’s Jimmie Kramer’s Peanut Bar Regina Costa Beverly Myers Yellow House Hotel Literacy Coalition of Central Texas Vanessa Culbertson Thomas Powell Hector Delgado Patricia Richter Many Rivers Learning Center READERS WIN! Mi Casa Su Casa CLASSROOM SPONSORS Phyllis Dessel Cynthia Rightmyer Mother Veronica Resource Center Don & Candy Bickel Helen Didyoung John Rosowski Muhlenberg Community Library Ms. Janet Clemmer Christina Edginton Roger Schein Muhlenberg Elementary Center Mr. & Mrs. Nicholas Giardiello Sandie Evans Christine Seghetti Pennsylvania Area Health Education Center Matthew Goldstan Christine Galanti Steffany Snell (AHEC) Mr. Steven Keiser Cheryl Gallo Linda Snyder Pennsylvania Association of Adult and Mr. & Mrs. Jonathan Meter Debi Garcia-Ferry Pat Snyder Continuing Education (PAACE) Trinity Lutheran Church Bernice Gehman Joanne Stamm Pennsylvania CareerLink, Berks County Barbara Geisler Rebecca Straus Penn State Berks FESTIVAL OF TREES Charles Gerhart Denise Stohmayr Penn State Hershey, St. Joseph Mr. & Mrs. David J. Svenson Pitney Bowes George Gerhart Leslie Wohlbruck Matthew Goldstan Patricia Yoder Reading Area Community College MISCELLANEOUS Reading Berks Conference of Churches C. Malcolm Smith & Co./Services Reading Elderly Housing Mr. & Mrs. Chip Worth/Water Cooler LITERACY COUNCIL ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF Reading Health System BINGO FUNDRAISER Reading Muhlenberg Career and Arbonne Ryan A. Breisch Robert Rio Technology Center Avon Executive Director Evening Desk Person Reading Public Library Delizaire Wire Delights Laurie Dawkins Wendy Rio Reading It Works! Global Health & Wellness Associate Director Data Entry Coordinator Salvation Army Jewelry In Candles Beverly Hirneisen Lillian Svenson St. Margaret’s School LuLaRoe Case Manager Administrative Assistant Trinity Lutheran Church, Reading Mary Kay Cathy Martin Tutors of Literacy in the Commonwealth (TLC) Nerium Int’l. English Forward Coordinator United Community Services Pampered Chef United Way of Berks County Perfectly Posh Wisdom 31 Pink Zebra LITERACY COUNCIL INSTRUCTIONAL STAFF YMCA of Reading Ruby Ribbon Donald Bickel Patricia Rittenhouse Scentsy Beth Ann Crippen Pamela Sonon Stylin’ Tea Blends IN-KIND DONATIONS Allison Dracha Ramona Turpin Thirty-One Susan Fineman READERS WIN! PRIZE SPONSORS Wildtree Alebrije Mexican Restaurant William Flocco Anthony’s Trattoria Ms. Jo Bondonese (Boscov Gift Card) Berks Lanes Ms. Heather Clouser (Door Wreath) Bistro 614 Berks Packaging (Hot Dogs) Buca di Beppo Clover Farms (Drinks) Chick-fil-A #1384 DoubleTree By Hilton (Overnight Stay) Chick-fil-A/Exeter Commons RW! Committee (Fightin’ Phils Tickets) Dan’s at Green Hills West Lawn Giant (Gift Card) Doubletree By Hilton 7 BOARD OF DIRECTORS

The Literacy Council of ROBERT LIBUTTI, President BRIDGET CAMBRIA, Esq. Retired, UGI Energy Services Partner, Cambria & Kline, P.C. Reading-Berks would not JASON BRUDERECK, Vice President JANET CLEMMER be celebrating 48 years Berks County Community Foundation Retired Registered Nurse

of success without the RONALD J. HUNSICKER, Secretary HECTOR DELGADO Engineer Student Representative dedication and commitment CHERYL KULP, Treasurer EMILY L. HERSHEY of our amazing volunteers, Goodwill Keystone Area

generous donors, and hard- DR. CASSANDRA HILLEGASS Central Penn College working adult learners. JACQUELYN M. KLINE, ESQ. Partner, Cambria & Kline, P.C.

PAT SNYDER C. Malcolm Smith, CPA

DENISE STROHMAYR Reading Area Community College

Literacy Council of Reading-Berks P: 610.670.9960 Literacy 35 South Dwight Street F: 610.927.4876 Council West Lawn, PA 19609 E: [email protected] of Reading-Berks www.lcrb.org

Literacy Council of Reading-Berks