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Hiring Development Director and Student Coordinator

March 14, 2023

Join a growing team in our new Pontiac office. See job descriptions.

Development Director

Student Coordinator

 

Category: News

Young Adult Gains Job Credential with Tutor’s Help

February 21, 2023

Elaine Cruz came to the U.S. in 2019 as a teenager from Venezuela, leaving behind an inflation rate of 500%, an economy in tatters, and an authoritarian president.

Elaine envisions a career as a behavioral therapist.

Elaine lived with her aunt in Rochester Hills while her parents remained in Venezuela. After graduating high school as an ESL student, Elaine began taking English lessons with Oakland Literacy Council volunteer tutor Cathy Fitzpatrick. As Elaine’s reading and listening skills improved, she began thinking about a career in behavioral therapy as a way to serve children in need, particularly those with autism.

In late 2022, Elaine took a course to become a registered behavioral technician (RBT), an entry-level employee in her chosen field. She credits Cathy’s help with passing the certification exam and putting her on the path toward a high-demand job.

“The class was so difficult,” Elaine said. “There were so many terms that were similar, and so much information I had to learn. Cathy helped me a lot to understand the terms and the examples.”

Tutor Cathy Fitzpatrick is proud of Elaine for passing the RBT exam.

Cathy’s professional background is in history and education, not therapy. She downloaded a study guide for the RBT exam, along with a workbook, and flashcard set. She set out to understand the material herself. “On her own, Elaine was studying and taking practice exams,” Cathy said. “Together, we went over the questions that she got wrong. I explained why and guided her to the correct answer…I am very proud of her hard work!”

Elaine is waiting for the renewal of her work permit, so she can use her new credentials to get a job. She plans to work as a behavioral technician while saving money to go to college to become a board-certified behavior analyst, the top job in her field.

Cathy, meanwhile, continues to help Elaine brush up her speaking skills. “She has already come a long way since we began tutoring together” almost two years ago, Cathy says.

Category: News

Oakland Literacy tutor receives Governor’s Service Award

December 21, 2022

Tutor Irene Sinclair pictured with Governor Gretchen Whitmer at the Governor’s Service Awards held at the Fox Theatre in Detroit on November 17, 2022.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and the Michigan Community Service Commission honored 46 individuals, businesses and nonprofit organizations recipients of the 2022 Governor’s Service Awards and applauded their commitment to volunteerism, service or philanthropy in an awards ceremony held November 17th at the Fox Theatre in Detroit.

Oakland Literacy tutor Irene Sinclair was awarded the Civic Engagement Impact Award.

“Michigan succeeds because of Michiganders who go above and beyond to serve their communities and lift up others,” said Governor Whitmer. “This year’s winners get things done even when nobody’s looking because they know that every contribution makes a huge impact. I am honored to present the Governor’s Service Awards to this year’s 46 recipients and urge every Michigander to get involved in their community so we can move our state forward together.”

Irene with former OLC student Elena who attended the event to celebrate her former tutor

Irene Sinclair, at every level, is tireless in her efforts to help English language learners improve the quality of life for themselves and their families. Irene spent her professional life as an adult educator in Detroit Public Schools (DPS). During her tenure with DPS, she oversaw several adult education learning centers, trained adult education teachers, wrote curriculum, and taught both foreign-born and native-born adults with low literacy levels. Since her retirement, Irene has generously shared her deep knowledge and dedication to adult literacy as a volunteer with Oakland Literacy Council (OLC). Irene has dedicated eight years and over 1,000+ volunteer hours to OLC where she has made a positive and meaningful difference in the lives of hundreds of tutors and adult learners. Over the years, Irene developed and delivered supplemental professional development workshops to volunteers on topics including lesson planning and conversational skills. In addition to volunteering with OLC, Irene served as a community mediator for Oakland Mediation Center helping parties peacefully resolve conflicts. In the words of Irene, “Literacy gives people opportunities to live fuller lives. That’s my strongest reason for being committed to adult learning.”

“We are so excited to see the Governor recognize the hard work of Irene,” said OLC Executive Director Lisa Machesky, “she is such a fierce advocate for adult education and has been a mentor to our staff and to so many of our tutors.  She truly has made an impact on the lives of so many.”

You can see more of Irene’s story at the Michigan Heros website: Michigan Heroes Project

Category: News

OLC seeking full-time Development Director

December 16, 2022

Oakland Literacy Council (OLC) is seeking an experienced Development Director to support the ongoing growth and expansion of OLC adult literacy programs and services. Previously a part-time position, the full-time Development Director will report to and work in a collaborative partnership with the Executive Director with a primary goal of increasing individual, corporate, and foundation giving, including sponsorship for an established annual event. Responsibilities also include management of the donor database, donor stewardship, and donor communications.

Salary is $70,000 – $75,000 with benefits including membership in AFP.  A copy of the full job description and application instructions can be found at https://www.oaklandliteracy.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Development-Director.pdf

Category: News

A Fifth of American Adults Struggle to Read. Why Are We Failing to Teach Them?

December 15, 2022

by Annie Waldman, Aliyya Swaby and Anna Clark, with additional reporting by Nicole Santa Cruz

ProPublica is a Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative newsroom. Sign up for The Big Story newsletter to receive stories like this one in your inbox.


This article was originally published on December 14, 2022 by ProPublica at Why America Fails Adults Who Struggle to Read — ProPublica

Series: The Right to Read

Examining the Toll of America’s Literacy Crisis

 

In Amite County, Mississippi, where a third of adults struggle to read, evidence of America’s silent literacy crisis is everywhere.

It’s in a storefront on Main Street, in the fading mill town of Gloster, where 80-year-old Lillie Jackson helps people read their mail. “They can’t comprehend their bills,” she said. “So many of them are ashamed that they haven’t finished grade school.” She longs for the day she can retire, but she doesn’t want to abandon her neighbors. “That’s the only reason I really stay open,” she said.

It’s in the Greentree Lumber mill, where dozens of residents cut Southern yellow pine into boards, but supervisors — who must be able to page through machine guides and safety manuals — are recruited from other counties. “We’re going to have demand for jobs with no people to supply them,” mill accountant Pam Whittington said.

Read the entire post

Category: News

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