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Oakland Literacy Council

Everyone Has a Fundamental Right to Literacy


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Oakland Literacy Council (OLC) is pleased to announce Laurie Weeks has been named Executive Director, effective January 2025.

October 29, 2024

PONTIAC, Michigan – Oakland Literacy Council (OLC) is pleased to announce Laurie Weeks has been named Executive Director, effective January 2025. 

 

Weeks, a Rochester Hills resident, most recently served as OLC Program Director. Lisa Machesky, executive director since 2015, has decided to explore other opportunities. 

 

“Laurie Weeks brings strong leadership skills and a passionate commitment to our learners, tutors, and the larger community,” said Paula Brown, Oakland Literacy Council Chair. “She has been instrumental in expanding our program work and providing exceptional support and training for our 200+ volunteer tutors. We are confident Laurie is the right leader to carry on our legacy of empowering adult learners in building life-changing literacy skills.” 

 

Weeks first came to Oakland Literacy Council in 2015 as a volunteer tutor and joined the staff in 2018. She has served in key roles including development and communications, tutor recruiting and support, and her present role as program director. Prior to OLC, Laurie was a journalist for the Cleveland Plain Dealer and Dow Jones News Service. She also taught composition and served as a writing and ESL tutor at Oakland Community College. Laurie holds a Master of Fine Arts in Writing from Spalding University and a BA in English from the University of Michigan.  

 

“I’m grateful to have served under Lisa’s leadership for the last six years in work that I have found incredibly purposeful and meaningful,” said Weeks. “Our mission to provide adult learning opportunities transforms the lives of our students and volunteers alike and strengthens our communities. I’m honored that the board of directors has confidence in my ability to lead this organization into the future, and I invite others to join us in this inspiring mission.” 

 

Weeks succeeds Machesky, who has guided the organization through significant growth, with a focus on serving Oakland County adults with the greatest literacy needs. During Machesky’s tenure, adult learning programs expanded from basic reading and English language learning (ESL) to include math, GED, digital literacy, and workforce training. In 2023, the OLC office was relocated to downtown Pontiac to make literacy services more accessible. Machesky also integrated powerful technology solutions into the organization, which earned OLC the 2022 Innovator Award from the Michigan Adult, Community & Alternative Education Association.

 

“We are grateful to Lisa for everything she has done for OLC and for the community,” said Brown. “She has expanded our programs by expanding our understanding of the many meanings of literacy. Lisa has served as an inspirational and innovative leader for staff, volunteers, learners, and the board of directors to assure the quality and impact of our work. We wish her well in her new ventures.” 

 

To support a successful leadership transition, Machesky and Weeks will continue to serve in their current roles through the end of 2024. 

 

“As I step away, I find myself reflective and grateful for all that we — amazing tutors, learners, staff, donors, and community partners — have accomplished together over the past nine years,” said Machesky. “Innovations in curriculum and tutor training have led to a remarkable 100%+ increase in learner performance, while investment in technology has allowed our tiny but amazing staff, along with dedicated volunteer tutors, to welcome into our community over 1,500 learners who have found new friends, new jobs, new skills, and a new nation.” 

Category: News

Now Hiring Accounting and Operations Manager

September 4, 2024

Join Our Team

The Oakland Literacy Council is looking to expand our team!  Our vibrant office is in downtown Pontiac and serves nearly 300 adult learners and tutors annually.

Are you looking to put your accounting and office management skills to work in a cause you believe in? If so, this role might be right for you: Accounting and Operations Manager

 

 

Category: News

48 Learners Added to National Adult Education Honor Society

July 18, 2024

Nationally, one five percent of all adult learners are inducted into the National Adult Education Honor Society.

Oakland Literacy Council has been designated as a new chapter of the National Adult Education Honor Society and inducted its first 48 learners into the chapter to recognize their extraordinary commitment to improving their skills.

These learners were selected for membership because they logged at least 100 hours of study in the program year that ended June 30, 2024 and because they demonstrated a positive attitude and a strong work ethic. Several learners overcome significant obstacles and hardships on the way to this achievement.

The honor society was founded in 1991 to provide meaningful recognition to deserving adult education students, to improve their employment opportunities, and develop student ambassadors. The new inductees received a lapel pin, a certificate, and letters of recommendation they can include with applications for employment or educational aid.

Category: News

Student Profile: Rym Khaldi

March 20, 2024

From Language Learner to Engineering Intern: Oakland Literacy Council Empowers Rym Khaldi's Journey to Success

Rym Khaldi found a jumpstart to her engineering career in the U.S. through Oakland Literacy Council.

Originally from Tunisia in northern Africa, Rym’s first language is Arabic. Her second is French. Her third is English. “I studied English a little bit in Tunisia,” the 33-year-old woman says, “but I didn’t need to use it." All of that changed last summer when she joined her husband in the U.S.

A quality assurance engineer by training, Rym hoped to get a job in her field in the U.S. “It was challenging,” she recalls. “Every recruiter was asking me whether I have experience here in the United States, and this was the reason of being rejected every time...looking for a job was a full-time job.”

Rym turned to Oakland Literacy Council for help. In August, she began weekly English lessons with volunteer tutor Isabelle Zablock. In September, she began a nine-week job preparation workshop for English language learners. Rym credits both experiences with helping her secure a paid, full-time internship with People Tech Group as a QA engineer on contract to General Motors.

“Isabelle helps me a lot to build confidence and my communication skills,” Rym says. “At first, I…I was scared to speak with people. I know sometimes they don’t understand me, and I feel shame to ask them to repeat themselves.”

Isabelle, a prelaw student at Michigan State University, felt a strong connection to Rym because they both have Arabic backgrounds. (Isabelle’s parents immigrated from Iraq.) Isabelle says Rym is a quick learner. “A couple of lessons seemed intimidating in the beginning, and we approached it slowly, but by the end she was cruising through it.”

The job workshop introduced Rym to American hiring culture and helped her polish her resume. The workshop was designed by Sarah DeLadurantey, senior human resources business partner at Amazon anda former tutor. Sarah says, “I was immediately impressed with Rym who helped her classmates by sharing her experience and feedback with them in a highly professional and respectful way.” Other HR professionals volunteered time to coach Rym and the other workshop participants. One of the volunteers, Karen Haneline, says Rym’s “confidence and teamwork coupled with her use of resources around her will set her up for future success.”

Interviewing for a job in the U.S. is “is completely different” than in Tunisia, Rym realized. The workshop prepared her to interview for a six-month internship with People Tech Group. This time, the recruiter hired her. “It was like a dream,” Rym says.

The internship allows Rym to build work experience in the U.S. As part of the internship, Rym tests software updates to the infotainment dashboards that let car riders use maps, listen to music, and more. Rym hopes her internship will lead to a permanent, good-paying job here.

 

Category: News Tags: Employment, ESL, Internship, Students, Tutors

Adult Literacy Graduates Improved Skills for Better Pay, Citizenship, and More 

August 4, 2023

Oakland Literacy Council (OLC) recently celebrated the graduation of 45 adult learners whose new skills in ESL, reading, or math have led to better jobs, higher pay, citizenship, and confidence they can achieve their goals.  

Qambar Ali Sarwari was awarded the Extraordinary Student of the Year

One of the graduates, Qambar Ali Sarwari, an Afghan immigrant, received the “Outstanding Student Award” for his extraordinary drive to improve his English skills since arriving in the U.S.  “When I came to Michigan, I had two jobs, one full time job and one part time job because we were at the beginning of the process of settlement,” Sarwari said. Even with the demanding schedule, he made time to learn with his tutor, Frances Hammond. “She was kind and she helped me with the scheduling of those things, and she always would provide me a really good source for materials,” he said. He is now seeking a job in accounting. 

Tutor Connie and Student Brenda also celebrated Brenda’s US naturalization ceremony the same day as OLC graduation

Graduates accepted certificates for English, in both reading and listening, and mathematics.

Tutor Meera helped Isabel advance in her career.

Meera D’Souza spoke of Isabel Romero, an English student from Venezuela: “The first time we met [in August], she said she wanted to get a new job with a higher salary. By December 5th, she had the new job with a much higher salary.”  

In a similar story, reading graduate from Mexico, Isvi Schelesky, said of her tutor Jessica Shefman: “I’m very grateful to Jessica because she helped me accomplish two of the biggest goals in my life.” Because of her progress forward and English reading, she was able to secure a lead manager position at her job along with U.S. citizenship. 

Graduate Jacob Stoll spoke of his struggles before completing the mathematics program: “When I first started, I would look at a problem and kinda cringe and wonder where my memory had gone. Now I have a newfound confidence to actually be able to break things down and make it more simple and realistic.” 

Tutor Linda celebrated Keiko’s accomplishments.

Frankie brought her son to celebrate her math graduation.

The graduation, hosted at Kirk in the Hills in Bloomfield Hills, saw nearly 100 participants which included graduates, tutors, OLC board members, and family members. The ceremony concluded with hearty applause and great excitement for the bright futures ahead.  

Oakland Literacy Council has been serving the metro Detroit community for over 39 years providing tutoring services in English, listening, reading, mathematics, and digital literacy. Adult learners are partnered with personal tutors that work one-on-one with them online or in person. Every year, a graduation ceremony is held to commemorate those who have completed, and often excelled, in their programs of choice. 

Category: News

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Oakland Literacy Council
Oakland Literacy Council
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Lesley TauroLesley Tauro
12:43 05 Sep 24
I love being a English Tutor with Oakland Literacy Council on a one-on-one basis as well as for a conversation group. Through OLC, I have had the opportunity to meet so many incredible people, many who have become friends.
Cynthia WersteinCynthia Werstein
23:48 04 Sep 24
I have enjoyed my ESL tutoring with Oakland Literacy Council. We received training to help us, help our students. I feel like I can reach out for additional help if needed. Not to forget, they offer outside activities, on occasion, so that the students and tutors can do some typical, but fun activities! OLC is a great organization to volunteer with.
Lisa BurnsLisa Burns
21:33 04 Sep 24
I've been volunteering with the OLC for about a year and a half, and it's been a great experience! I very much enjoy the tutoring sessions with the student whom they paired me with. She is a lovely person and I've learned a lot from her too. OLC makes tutoring easy for volunteers, with an easy-to-use curriculum, training, support, and social events. Highly recommend!
Qambar Ali SarwariQambar Ali Sarwari
19:50 04 Sep 24
Great team, motivational atmosphere, Thank you for your always support and help, especially the refresher training you provide to the tutors.Warm regards ,Ali
Brad RothBrad Roth
19:07 04 Sep 24
When I retired in 2020 (in the middle of the covid pandemic) I wanted to find ways to volunteer. As a former college professor, I am particularly concerned about education and literacy. Working with Oakland Literacy Council has been a wonderful experience for me. The staff at OLC (particularly Laurie Weeks) is so helpful and appreciative. I've gotten more hand-written thank you notes from Laurie in the last four years than from everyone else throughout the rest of my life combined. Volunteering for OLC lets me give back to society but enjoy retirement too. I highly recommend it.
Kelly TurnerKelly Turner
11:12 23 Aug 24
I would like to say How amazing Oakland literacy Council is I came in May To Continue my education and I thank god I found them they where at the bottom of the list when they should have been at the top of the list first off the staff is amazing they did everything by the book I did placement testing to figure out where to place me they took the time out to get the best tutors they also called and checked in on me and also motivated me to keep going and never give up they gave me the option to go online for tutoring or in person Stewart my tutor was amazing he took pride in educating me and never made me feel like I was bothering him patricia was amazing she stayed on me and stayed consistent they made me feel like familythe icing on the cake was how they acknowledged me on graduation day the whole team was there for me and my family and I was so happy and me and my kid's could feel the love it's nothing that I would not do for Oakland literacy I will be there spokesperson for life cause it's worth it and they have top notch tutors employees and the online tutor services is Phenomenal if you're seeking to continue your education look no more this is the place to go
Sanghee HanSanghee Han
11:59 22 Aug 24
I was so lucky to meet oakland literacy Council. Since OLC has been a great institute for me almost 2 years. And they helped my english improve and give me some good talking classes for learning new culture here as well. Now that I graduated from a reading program at OLC, I feel like I'm still with them. Really appreciate it.
BAIYANG LAIBAIYANG LAI
19:36 15 Aug 24
In the past three years I learned English with Oakland Literacy. I met quite a few tutors in one by one tutoring and some conversation groups. Those tutors were so incredible and awesome! They really really helped me a lot in my English. My gratitude to all of them is beyond words!
jung min sonjung min son
17:36 15 Aug 24
Thank you for having me with your excellent support.. I really enjoyed learning English and having conversation class with others. I made some good friends and I think Oakland Literacy Council is very good for people who need English support 👏 👍
Joseph Lee (Jo)Joseph Lee (Jo)
16:39 15 Aug 24
Oakland Literacy Council was a very good program for me as my second language. I evaluated my English ability through English listening and reading tests and matched my tutor accordingly. As a result, my English improved a lot. And most of all, it was free.
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OAKLAND LITERACY COUNCIL 51111 Woodward Ave., Suite 720, Pontiac, MI 48342

(248) 253-1617, info@oaklandliteracy.com

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