2018 Annual Report Helping people turn the page toward a brighter future. A Message from the Executive Director

hile society’s priorities fluctuate adults achieve the skills they need to open Wfrom one year to the next, some doors to better employment. Additionally, things do not change: adults still need the Council’s English Forward program to speak, read, and write English trained new volunteers to help us offer competently to participate equitably beginning-level ESL classes at 17 in society. For 50 years, the Literacy locations throughout Berks County. Council of Reading-Berks has remained delivering the highest quality programs to steadfast in its commitment to serving All of these educational opportunities our learners, so they can participate fully that need through effective, accessible were made possible by the Council’s in their communities. We look forward programs designed for adult learners exceptional staff and extraordinary cadre to joining hands with all who support our seeking employment or entry into a of trained volunteers, who gave their mission, for the possibilities of what we postsecondary institution. time as teachers, board members, tutors, can do together are endless. and more. Trained volunteers are the 2018 witnessed another successful lifeblood of our programs, and we are With appreciation for your partnership, year for the Council with growth in our so grateful for their dedication to adult partnerships and workplace learning literacy and the Council’s learners. It is programs. The Council held classes in due to the unwavering trust and support six strategic Berks County locations, of our generous donors and dedicated including the CareerLink, giving learners Board of Directors that we have the Ryan A. Breisch day and evening options for convenient honor of working with these adults here education. ESL classes armed learners in Berks County. As I reflect on 2018 with a strong language and literacy – our 50th anniversary year – I know foundation, while the high school that we could not have done it without equivalency program continued helping you! The Council remains committed to

2 My name is Sylvia Alcaraz, and I’m a student at the Literacy “ Council. Right now, I’m taking GED classes to get my high school diploma which is the main reason why I am here. By the way, it will help me get a better job in the future. Yet, the Literacy Council has helped me in many other ways, such as improving my English language, writing and reading. The Literacy Council was also very helpful in obtaining my citizenship that I recently acquired. Every step I take is thanks to the amazing staff and teachers who work here.

” 3 2018 Financial Report LITERACY COUNCIL BY THE NUMBERS in 2018

500,000 500,000 Revenue: $498,519.39 66 students | 3,753 hours

400,000 400,000 in one-on-one tutoring Federal, State and United Way Grants: 296 students | 12,551 hours $322,999.06 300,000 300,000 in ESL classes

Fee-for-Service 198 students | 5,103 hours Programs: 200,000 200,000 $19,583.36 in high school equivalency classes Contributions, Gifts, Foundations: 17 students | 263 hours $86,048.03 100,000 100,000 in citizenship preparation classes Fundraising (Special Events): $69,888.94 102 | 7,859 hours 15 | 849 hours 0 0 tutor volunteers non-tutor volunteers

500,000 500,000 Expenses: $477,132.15

400,000 400,000

Literacy Program Services: 300,000 $356,467.92 300,000

200,000 200,000

Management 100,000 and General: 100,000 $101,886.20 Fundraising: $18,778.03 0 0 4 LITERACY COUNCIL BY THE NUMBERS in 2018

Megan Adukaitis Erica Dominguez Nancy Graff Lily Kober Ibeth Ramirez Judy Speicher Beatriz Aguilera James Elliker Olivia Grajewski Kathy Landis Daniel Rebholz Alexandra Speiss 66 students | 3,753 hours Kendra Bailey Roula Elliker Terry Grassley Phil Lehman Steve Reinbrecht Joanne Stamm in one-on-one tutoring Don Bickel Kenneth Emkey Ann Greenstein Robert Libutti Jane Reitz Joan Stauffer Angela Blum Sandie Evans Joan Halabura Freddie Martin Susan Renda Denise Strohmayr Diane Bostelle Michele Foreman Elisa Hammes Judy McMechan Mark Riegel Susan Summer 296 students | 12,551 hours Gerri Brenner Brian Forsyth Andrea Hart Robert McMechan Roger Schein Sylvia Summers in ESL classes Jason Brudereck Christine Galanti Sharon Heffner Susan Miller Dell Scherneck Erwin Tan Bridget Cambria Cheryl Gallo Emily Hershey Eileen Murphy-Schmehl Christine Seghetti James Wood 198 students | 5,103 hours Stephen Carlson Bernice Gehman Christa Hirneisen Beverly Myers Diane Shalter Patricia Yoder in high school equivalency classes Licette Carrasquillo Barbara Geisler Cathy Hubis Mary Namiotka Timothy Shores Maggie Cawley Charles Gerhart Taunia Hubler Arlene Otis Matthew Skoczen Michael Collins John Goldstan Ronald Hunsicker Eva Plichta John Small 17 students | 263 hours Vanessa Culbertson Matt Goldstan Christine Jancay Danette Posey Sonya Smith in citizenship preparation classes Phyllis Dessel Debra Goodman Robert Jones Thomas Powell Patricia Snyder Helen Didyoung Joel Graeff Jacquelyn Kline Danielle Pritz Ingrid Spangler 102 | 7,859 hours 15 | 849 hours tutor volunteers non-tutor volunteers Thanks to All of Our Wonderful Volunteers

5 foundations, benefactors, patrons, sponsors, subscribers and OTHER DONATIONS

The following organizations Patrons $500 - $999 Harold & Joan Breisch RKL LLP First Energy Service, Andover MA Ametek, Inc. Jason E. Brudereck David & Jane Rohrbach Sister Cara Garofalo and individuals made Earl & Cynthia Andrews Paul & Linda Buonanno Susan Rundle Robert Gehman our programs possible in Boscov’s Dept. Store LLC Judith Byrne Matthew Schrum Margery L. Gilbert 2018. Donations received Berks Digital, Inc. Michael & Laura Byrne Shillington Lions Club Stanton & Rochelle Graeff Cambria & Kline PC Patrick Byrne Jean Smith Hamburg HS Class of ‘46 between January 1, 2018 Richard & Jeannine Campbell Steven & Dolores Byrne Richard & Kathryn Smith Elizabeth A. Hamilton and December 31, 2018 are Stephen & Janice Carlson Lori Castor Sonya Smith Victor & Dena Hammel Michael & Diane Duff Janet Clemmer Willard & Ruth Smith Terry & Virginia Hand recognized here. Every effort Gateway Ticketing Systems, Inc. Lois E. Cohen Sharon Stump Elizabeth G. Hassler has been made to list donors Charles Gerhart/Ruth Hines Contemporary Insurance Elizabeth A. Taylor Dennis L. Heinbach Bradley & Barbara Hall Kelley Crozier David L. Thun Marguerite S. Henninger accurately. Please inform the Highland Auto & Truck Repair, Inc. John & Pamela DeMartino Trnity Lutheran Church Elyse Horowitz office of any corrections at Junior League of Reading Bruce & Renee’ Dietrich John & Karen Tripolitis Christopher Hunsicker 610-670-9960. Kautter & Kelley Architects Roger F. Eichlin Mellisa Trojak Scott & Marie Hunsicker Steve Keiser David & Ann Marie Engle Sharon Vaughn William Hunsicker Tom McMahon Cassandra L. Evans M. Margaret Welliver Katarzyna Janiszewski Kevin & Rhonda Ochs Connie Gallen James & Judith Williamson Darryl S. Jeffries FOUNDATIONS St. Mark’s Lutheran - Windsor St. Bernice G. Gehman Paul & Susan Yatron Willam & Mary Ann Kase Dollar General Foundation David & Cynthia Texter Peter Gipprich Michael & Gayle Kastenbaum Hofmann Foundation Lisa Tiger/Century 21 Gold Godiva Chocolatier, Inc. Subscribers $25 - $99 J. Robert & Janet Kehrli Holleran Foundation UGI Energy Services Matthew A. Goldstan Marshall & Ellen Azrael Carl & Louise Kempka Henry Janssen Foundation West Wyomissing Fire Co. Evans & Barbara Goodling Deirdre Bausher Dorothy Knouse Renaissance Charitable Foundation James T. Wood Terry & Sophia Grassley Martin B. Beckerman David & Janet Knudson (M&M Filstein Family Fund) Edward Yanowski Ann T. Gundry Best Used Trucks of PA Mary B. Kreider Craig & Nancy Hafer Don & Candy Bickel Doris & Elliot Leisawitz Benefactors, pATRONS, SPONSORS, Sponsors $250 - $499 Priscella Hanf Judith Birch Lombardo Family SUBSCRIBERS & CONTRIBUTORS Ronald & Jana Hunsicker James & Judy Hanna Jo Bondonese John & Elaine Lupco Nancy J. Knoblauch Emily L. Hershey Catherine Bower Sharon Luyben BENEFACTORS Robert & Linda Libutti Christine M. Hess Caryle & Vaughn Brayton Andrew & June Maier Altrusa Int’l Foundation of Rdg-Berks Arlene G. Otis Judith L. Katz Mindy Brudereck Gerald & Sydney Malick Anonymous St. John’s Lutheran - Penn Ave., SS Kathryn Landis Jack Carl Rick & Denise Mariani Community Fire Co. of Fritztown Patricia A. Snyder Hong Lin Mark Cauffman Frank & Ann Marie Mazurkiewicz Customers Bank Denise Strohmayr Mahjong Group of Wyomissing Central Catholic HS Class of ‘52 Robert & Maureen McIlhaney Jim & Roula Elliker Rosalye L. Yashek Jack & Mary Mancuso Child Dev. Ctr. of Rdg. Hospital Shawn McMahon Greater Reading Chamber Alliance Richard & Kathleen Zuidema Marrella Financial Group LLC Lillian Chinnici Bob & Judy McMechan Linda L. Grim Michael Martini Brenda B. Daelhousen John & Cathy Meharg Jill Henry In memory of Maxine Henry Subscribers $100 - $249 Michael J. Mazurkiewicz Michael & Ann Deibert Brenda N. Meyers Penske Truck Leasing Megan Adukaitis Isidore Mihalakis Christinia Dobler Michael L. Moyer Christopher Pruitt Nicholas & Marina Ashton Charles & Patricia Minehart Jeffrey & Lynn Driben Muhlenberg Reading Specialists Elizabeth C. Wolfe Garland Baer Henry & Janet Peters Peter J. Drucker C. Susan Munch Harriet M. Baskin Alfred W. Pettit Patrick Duggan Michael D. & Lois Neft Randall & Gail Bashore Tina Pham Janice M. Eisenbise Dennis & Morena O’Brien Jeffrey Behm Monica Rainville- Thomas Kenneth Emkey Charles & Ann Orberg Michael & Susan Bolton George & Elizabeth Ribar Susan D. Fineman Michael & Barbara Perilstein 6 foundations, benefactors, patrons, sponsors, subscribers and OTHER DONATIONS

Mary Ann Posey Subscribers $1 - $24 Reading Movies 11 + IMAX BINGO! VENDOR DONATIONS Tom & Laurel Powell Linda M. Barnhart Reading Public Museum LulaRoe Julie A. Powsner Leslie E. Boyer Red Lobster Restaurant Pink Zebra Charles & Barbara Rapp Brett & Cindy Chronister Schell’s Mini-Golf Stylin’ Tea Blends Reading Berks Basketball Assoc. Martin Darocha Svenson Family Rodin & Fields Skin Care David & Linda Reed Jean Dodge Kline Target - Wyomissing Thirty-One Gifts Melvin & Annetta Edinger Thai Cuisine Cocoa Exchange & Magical Vacation Reading Monthly Mtg. of Friends 50TH ANNIVERSARY DINNER Randall & Joan Rentschler Sandra Fishman Tokyo Hibachi Bar Planner Rob & Weny Rio/DJ Party All Stars Karen Fornwald Wal-Mart/Temple SPONSORS Paul & Patricia Rittenhose Janet B. Kelly Wal-Mart/Wyomissing BINGO! PRIZE SPONSORS Ametek, Inc. Berks Packing Company Theresa T. Rogers Joyce Kenyon Yellow House Hotel & Restaurant Berks Digital, Inc. Contemporary Insurance Seth & Barbara Rosenzweig Catherine L. Martin Boscov’s Department Store LLC Curious on the Avenue Stephanie Roth Karen Parzanese READERS WIN! CLASSROOM Cambria & Kline PC Exeter Chick-fil-A Jeffrey Schiefer Nina Quaglia SPONSORSHIP Century 21 Gold/Lisa Tiger Giant Markets (3) Michael & Janice Schiffman Alvin & Susan Seyler, Jr. Megan Adukaitis Contemporary Insurance Goggleworks Scottish Rite Ladies Auxiliary Linda Smith Earl & Cynthia Andrews Customers Bank Herr’s Pretzels Judith L. Schwank Don & Candy Bickel DoubleTree by Hilton Hotels Muddy Creek Soap Company Frederick & Cheryl Sheeler IN-KIND DONATIONS Janet Clemmer East Penn Manufacturing Company New York Bagelry Christopher Siebens Robert K. Fleck Gateway Ticketing Systems, Inc. R.M. Palmer Jack Slusser READERS WIN! PRIZE DONATIONS Bernice Gehman Greater Reading Chamber Alliance Anthony’s Trattoria Reading United Nina Snukis Anna Giardiello Highland Auto & Truck Repair, Inc. Berks Lanes Tom Sturgis George & Pam Sonon Matthew Goldstan Kautter & Kelley Architects Beverly Hills Tavern Weis Markets Jane & Richard Spittler Darryl S. Jeffries LCRB Board Bistro 614 Terry Grassley - Lottery Tickets Amy Steinmetz Steve Keiser Penske Truck Leasing, Inc. California Bar & Grill & Barnes & Nobel gift cards Rebecca Steltz Mr. & Mrs. Jonathan F. Meter UGI Energy Services Chick-fil-A of Exeter Denise Strohmayr - Signed book by David & Lillian Svenson Mr. & Mrs. David J. Svenson White Star/Kraras Family Richard L. Townsley Dan’s at Green Hills Trinity Lutheran Church Heather Christie Doubletree by Hilton James Wood - Monetary Donation Carl & Marilyn Trettin PATRONS Effie’s Charcoal Grill Thomas Trexler READERS WIN! PIZZA PARTY Anonymous Fox Theaters Susan G. Wachs SPONSORSHIP Michael & Diane Duff Frank & Diannah’s Arbor Inn Diane Wall & Bill Yeaples Altrusa International Brad & Barbara Hall Friendly’s Restaurant Donald & Donna Walling Central Berks Lions Club Mr. Thomas McMahon Merlin Weaver Gasser’s Mini-Golf Tracy Weiss Kasper’s TV & Appliances Melissa B. Wells Nino’s Ristorante Don & Patrick Whitney Moe’s Southwest Grill/Exeter Amy Wilson Olive Garden Italian Restaurant James Wojciechowski Outside In Restaurant & Bar David J. Woomer Ozzy’s Sports Fun Center Clarence F. Wrobel P C Ninja Deborah Wurtz P.J. Whelihan’s William & Lorraine Yatron Peanut Bar & Restaurant Jenny & Eric Zehner Philly Pretzel R.M. Palmer Company Thank you! Reading Fightin’ Phils 7 Literacy Council Board of Directors: Literacy Council Administrative Staff: Robert Libutti, President Ronald Hunsicker Retired Professional Engineer Ryan A. Breisch UGI Energy Services Executive Director Jacquelyn M. Kline, Esq. Laurie Dawkins Partner – Attorney at Law Jason Brudereck, Vice President Associate Director- Cambria & Kline, PC Director of Communications Workplace Learning Mission Berks County Community Foundation The mission of the Literacy Council of Dr. Arlene Otis Beverly Hirneisen Reading-Berks is to hep people better com- Terry S. Grassley, Secretary Retired Case Manager Berks County Intermediate Unit municate, collaborate and contribute Vice President, Chief Operating Officer Robert Rio Bird-in-Hand Bank to their workplace and community. Sonya Smith Evening Desk Person Emily L. Hershey Associate State Director – Wendy Rio Secondary Teacher Programs and Policy Data Entry Coordinator Pennsylvania Small Wilson School District Lillian Svenson Business Development Centers, Vision Administrative Assistant Megan Adukaitis Kutztown University To eradicate illiteracy in Berks County by Director of Career Development Patricia Rittenhouse teaching people the vital reading, writing, Alvernia University Pat Snyder Volunteer Coordinator speaking, listening and language skills Office Manager needed ti improve their quality of life and Bridget Cambria, Esq. C. Malcom Smith, CPA Partner – Attorney at Law Literacy Council enable more productive employment and Cambria & Kline, PC Denise Strohmayr Instructional Staff: community citizenship. Assistant Professor Donald Bickel James Elliker Reading Area Community College Susan Fineman Doctoral Candidate in Elisa Hammes Leadership Studies Jim Wood Nancy Graff Alvernia University VP Sales Values and Goals Penske Truck Leasing Jennifer Thompson • Respect for all Dr. Roula Elliker Ed Sasek • Empower volunteers and staff to Early Literacy Instructional Coach Pamela Sonon Muhlenberg School District Ramona Turpin provide quality services Kimberly Zientek • Provide a spectrum of literacy services • Develop curricula to respond to the changing literacy needs of the community • Implement innovative technology and techniques • Network to identify resources and 35 South Dwight Street • West Lawn, PA 19609 partnerships Ph: 610-670-9960 • Fx: 610-927-4876 • Guide all participants in achieving [email protected] • www.lcrb.org their goals