Making Reading Accessible For Everyone
Thanks First State Bank – Michigan! Oakland Literacy has been named one of 20 finalists in the First State Banksgiving program. Please help us win $10,000 by giving us your vote and then share with your friends.
Oakland Literacy Council is in the Arts, Education, and Culture category.
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Photo by Lucian Perkins
Oakland Literacy Council announced that David Marannis, a New York Times best-selling author and Detroit native, will deliver the keynote address at the Council’s 30th Annual Ex Libris fundraising dinner on Thursday, November 14, 2019, at the Village Club in Bloomfield Hills.
Marannis’ newest book, A Good American Family: The Red Scare and My Father, is set in Detroit in the early 1950’s. It weaves together his family’s ordeal of fear and triumph during the dark era of McCarthyism in the United States. Marannis’ father was brought before the House on Un-American Activities Committee, causing him to lose his job and forcing him to move his family from Detroit.
The acclaimed author has written 12 books in total, including Once in a Great City: A Detroit Story. Marannis is an associate editor at The Washington Post, where he has been affiliated for over 40 years. He has won two Pulitzer Prizes, as well many other major writing awards, including the George Polk Award, the Robert F. Kennedy Book Prize, the Anthony Lukas Book Prize, and the Frankfurt eBook Award. Books will be available for sale at the event.
The year’s Ex Libris event will celebrate the 35th Anniversary of the Oakland Literacy Council. A student and tutor will be speaking about their adult literacy experiences. The organization will also honor the contributions of its founder, Robert Gaylor. “Robert has been an example of true leadership. His dedication, enthusiasm, and ‘can do’ spirit has continued for 35 years, and we look forward to many more,” said Judy Lindstrom, Board President.
The event will begin with cocktails 6:30 p.m. followed by dinner at 7:30 p.m. at the Village Club, located at 190 East Long Lake, Bloomfield Hills. For tickets, visit https://www.oaklandliteracy.com/exlibris2019/ or call 248.253.1617.
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The Oakland Literacy Council announces the recent appointments of two new members to its board of directors. Joining the board are Paula Brown and Rev. Angela Ryo.
“Our new board members bring both a passion for literacy and valuable expertise to our organization,” says Lisa Machesky, Executive Director. “We are fortunate to have Paula, with over 20 years of fundraising experience, and Angela, a member of the faith community and an educator, to guide us as we grow to meet the enormous need for adult literacy services in Oakland County.”
Paula Brown is the Chief Development and Engagement Officer for The Corner Health Center in Ypsilanti. She served as the Executive Director at Reading Works in Detroit from 2013 to 2017. Paula also provides consulting on fundraising and board development to nonprofit organizations. She graduated from Central Michigan University with a Bachelor of Music Education.
Rev. Angela Ryo has served as Associate Pastor at Kirk in the Hills church in Bloomfield Hills since 2017. She was previously Resident Minister at First Presbyterian Church in Ann Arbor. Prior to joining the clergy, she was an English and English Language Learner (ELL) teacher for nine years. She holds a Master of Divinity from Theological Seminary, as well as an Master of Arts in Teaching and a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature.
The Harris Literacy Center at Wayne State University and Reading Works have joined together to present PULSE on Friday, November 15th from 8 am – 3 pm. Network with other adult education and literacy practitioners to learn research-based best practices in the field of adult literacy with an emphasis on reading, writing, math application, data interpretation, technology, integrated education, and work readiness.
The keynote speaker will be JEFF DONOFRIO, the new Director of the Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity for the State of Michigan. Breakout sessions include:
It was a celebration by all
The sun shone brightly Saturday on Oakland Literacy Council’s 35th Anniversary celebration. At the Picnic in the Park held at Waterford Oaks Park, about 100 students, tutors, community members, and families gathered for food, games, conversation, and entertainment.
Baffling Bill entertained the crowd
Just like the magic of learning that students and tutors create together, Baffling Bill amazed the audience with his magic tricks. The upbeat music of the banjo duo, Brian Newsom and Morgan Humecky, brought even more joy to the event. Tutor Susan Lipson exclaimed, “Today was absolutely glorious! … The entertainment was just plain fun, and we really had fun getting to know more students and tutors.”
Student Lillian Faranso
Stories of challenges and accomplishments were shared throughout the afternoon. Student Lilian Faranso recalled how her tutor went through extra training just to learn how to better help her. With her new language skills, Lilian can now use the GPS and drive on her own to Chicago. “We are all learning a lot. Our life changed. I hope it will continue forever!”
Oakland Literacy Council Board President Judy Lindstrom reflected on the day and its meaning. “I was so proud and touched to see so many students and tutors at the event. This organization has touched so many hearts and changed so many lives over 35 years. Today we celebrated our past, present, and future and our dedication to spreading literacy in our community.”
Bloomfield Hills, MI – Students, tutors, friends, and family members will gather for a Picnic in the Park on Saturday, September 14, 2019, to celebrate the 35th Anniversary of the Oakland Literacy Council. The event will take place from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Paradise Pavilion at Waterford Oaks Park. The 100+ guests expected at the picnic come from cities and townships across Oakland County and over 20 countries of origin, reflecting the diversity of Southeast Michigan.
More than 105,000 adults in Oakland County are functionally illiterate. For 35 years, the Oakland Literacy Council has been pairing trained tutors with adults seeking to improve their English language literacy to advance on pathways toward employment, citizenship, entrepreneurship, and community engagement. In 2018, the Oakland Literacy Council delivered 12,500 hours of instruction to adult learners.
In 2019, Oakland Literacy Council has been celebrating 35 years of service in Oakland County with its online series, 35 Faces of Oakland Literacy, highlighting the compelling stories of adult students whose lives have been transformed by learning to read and write English and the volunteer tutors and community members who have made such a personal difference in their lives.
Executive Director Lisa Machesky explains, “Through our 35th anniversary and 35 Faces of Literacy, we have been able to shine a light on the everyday stories of our students, their struggles and accomplishments, and the passionate volunteers that have joined them on this literacy journey.”
Last night Paula Tutman interviewed one of our oldest students and his tutor. See the interview here:
Smiling faces and tears of joy were on display last week at the Oakland Literacy Council’s annual graduation ceremony at its offices in Bloomfield Hills. Thirty-two students graduated the reading and/or listening program. With their proud families and tutors in attendance, the literacy grads gratefully accepted their certificates from the Council’s Board President, Judy Lindstrom.
Board President Judy Lindstrom presents certificate to Binzhen Zhu, a graduate from China.
During the ceremony, students spoke of the impact the tutors had made in their lives, both as
Maram Almariny, a graduate from Syria, poses for a picture with her four children who attended the ceremony with her.
teachers, mentors, and friends. A Russian student, Elena Babin, who came with her infant son, explained how her tutor, Irene Sinclair, gave her confidence during her labor and delivery. Prior to the birth they practiced conversations with nurses and doctors to assertively communicate her needs. Elena said, “I didn’t have to worry about English while giving birth.”
Woo Jin Yoon, a student from South Korea, talked about how her tutor, Hannah Hilbert, became her first American friend. The friendship, according to Yoon, blossomed when they went to a brewery and beer festival. Yoon plans to start a party planning business soon. Another graduate, Hpwe Lwin, from Burma already owns two businesses and was grateful her tutor helped her improve her English skills. Each graduate expressed appreciation for the time and patience given to them by their tutors.
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