OLC Learner Rachester Motley is now a published author! She describes her efforts to overcome dyslexia with the help of her tutor in the new issue of The Change Agent, a magazine for adult learners! 6-Education-Is-the-Greatest-Thing

Spring is a time of renewal and growth—a perfect reminder of the transformational power of literacy. We’re excited to announce the Literacy Champions Circle, a new initiative designed to ensure that adults in Oakland County can access our literacy programs to improve their lives. We are seeking 100 champions to give $35/month. Click here to learn more.

Join us for an unforgettable evening on October 23 at our annual Ex Libris fundraising dinner with special guest, Hollywood screenwriter Rob Edwards! A proud Metro Detroit native and Hollywood powerhouse, Rob is the screenwriter behind three movies hitting the screen this year!

Oakland Literacy Council is seeking an experienced and passionate independent contractor to lead a series of workshops this spring aimed at creating a dynamic cohort of  adult education advocates. Click here to see the Request for Proposals.

Oakland Literacy Council is seeking a part-time accounting and operations manager for our nonprofit. This employee is responsible for all bookkeeping and finance, human resources, and grant management duties related to the functioning of the office and supporting the Board of Directors. Click here to view the job description.

Oakland Literacy Council is requesting proposals from Certified Public Accounting Firms to conduct independent financial audits and provide tax services for our nonprofit for a five-year period. Please click here to view the full RFP.

Oakland Literacy Council now offers adults a free, self-paced online learning platform to improve their digital literacy skills and earn valuable certificates that they can list on job applications to demonstrate their technical knowledge.

Adults can learn to use popular software like Microsoft’s Word, Excel, or PowerPoint products, as well as the basics of running a computer, searching for a job online, or using telehealth. Quick assessments will tell adults what they already know and serve up easy-to-follow lessons to fill in missing gaps. When adults have mastered an area, they can take a proctored exam to earn a certificate.

This no-cost program is available to adults who live, work, or go to school in Oakland County. Interested adults should call 248-253-1617 or click here to apply.

New program to combine English and technical skills to start a great career in manufacturing

Class is underway. Please call 248-253-1617 to learn more about future classes.

Oakland Literacy Council is partnering with Oakland Community College and Oakland County MiWorks to bring you:

✅ English for the workplace
✅ Soft skills like teamwork & communication
✅ Training in manufacturing processes & technology
✅ An industry-recognized credential to help you land a job

💡 Details:
📚 Classes: 3 days/week for 14 weeks
🚗 Childcare & transportation assistance available
💼 Must be authorized to work in the U.S.

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. We are looking for a part-time development manager to support our mission through fundraising. Check out the job description.

 

Oakland Literacy Council wrapped up its 40th anniversary with record-setting attendance and revenue last Thursday at its annual Ex Libris fundraising dinner, where bestselling author Angie Kim told the crowd that she’s proof that it is never too late for adults to change their trajectory and pursue their dreams.

“We are incredibly grateful for our supporters of adult literacy,” said Lisa Machesky, Executive Director of Oakland Literacy Council. “Their generosity supports our mission of delivering one-on-one tutoring to adult learners that is flexible and customizable to their needs in reading, math, GED preparation, English-as-a-Second-Language, and digital literacy.”

The crowd heard from one of those learners, Enam Mirzad, 29, who fled Afghanistan in the fall of 2021 during a U.S. military evacuation that happened so quickly Enam did not have time to bring documentation of his education. “Everything here was so hard because I didn’t know English…and I’m shy,” Enam said. With help from his tutor, Ann Manning, Enam learned to speak English, completed a tech support class with Google, and is now preparing for his high-school equivalency exam, so he can study information technology in college.

The keynote speaker, author Angie Kim, shared her own experience as a preteen immigrant from South Korea who didn’t know a word of English. She warned against the danger of assuming someone lacks intelligence because they cannot speak, a danger she wove into her latest novel, Happiness Falls, whose main character is nonverbal. Kim also noted that after earning a law degree from Harvard, she turned away from practicing law to pursue her passion for writing. Today, her novels have been translated into many languages.

Oakland Literacy Council also celebrated the dedication of Robert Gaylor, who founded the Council 40 years ago, and recognized the transformative leadership of outgoing Executive Director, Lisa Machesky.  Oakland Literacy would also like to thank the sponsors who made such a magical evening happen.