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Oakland Literacy Council

Everyone Has a Fundamental Right to Literacy


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Prize-winning author to speak at Ex Libris

June 12, 2019

In celebration of the 35th anniversary of the Oakland Literacy Council, we have lined up an amazing guest speaker for our biggest fundraising event of the year, the Ex Libris dinner. On Thursday, November 14, 2019, Pulitzer Prize-winning author and Washington Post editor David Marannis will share a riveting story from his childhood in Detroit. The story about how his father was swept up in the anti-Communist fear that swept the country in the 1950s is the subject of Marannis’s newest book, A Good American Family: The Red Scare and My Father. Please save the date for this wonderful evening in which we will hear Marannis’s story as well as honor the many stories of our students, tutors, and long-time advocates who together weave a powerful tapestry of our collective work in Oakland County. And consider becoming a sponsor of this wonderful fundraiser. More information on sponsorship can be found here.

 

Category: News

Conversation Groups Spring Up in Oakland County

April 2, 2019

This spring, seven conversation groups for our English language learners are underway throughout Oakland County. Currently, groups meet in Troy, West Bloomfield, Bloomfield Hills, and Rochester Hills. Some meet during the day; some in the evening.

Conversation groups are organized with students whose listening and speaking ability is about the same level. This approach differs from other conversation groups in the area that are open to everyone. Our approach ensures all students can participate equally.

Conversation groups give English language learners extra practice listening and speaking a new language.

Samantha Most is facilitating her second, six-week conversation group at the West Bloomfield Township Public Library on Thursday evenings. The group attracts English language learners from Poland, Ukraine, China, Japan, South Korea, and Syria.

“I’ve noticed that the students love learning about other cultures,” says Samantha, who also tutors a student one-on-one through Oakland Literacy Council. Recently, she asked her conversation group how the arrival of spring is recognized in students’ home countries. Some countries had special celebrations.

At each conversation group, Samantha also introduces a few vocabulary words, and the students practice using the words in conversation.
The intention behind the conversation groups is to give students another venue for practicing their listening and speaking skills beyond their individual tutoring sessions. The more practice they get, the faster they will progress in their studies.

Category: News

Title II Adult Education Grants Threatened

March 28, 2019

The Trump Administration’s proposed fiscal year 2020 budget calls for a 24 percent cut to Title II Adult Education State Grants, from which Oakland Literacy Council receives funding.

Low literacy is as prevalent now as 20 years ago, yet there are fewer public resources dedicated to solving the problem. In the state of Michigan, a cut at the federal level would be a continuation of a trend, as support for adult education has fallen 87 percent from the 1995-96 school year.

The funding decline has hit already under-served cities particularly hard. The latest casualty is Hazel Park, a city where the poverty rate hovers near 30% and two-thirds of the high-school students drop out before graduation. Budget shortfalls forced Hazel Park to shutter its adult education program in July 2018.

Some programs have closed as well, while others remain operational but with reduced service. Walled Lake, for instance, could not afford repairs to its outdated community education center, so adult ed programming was forced to share space with a middle school, which led to the elimination of daytime programming for adult ed, triggering a decline in enrollment. Evening programming is difficult for many low-literate adults who lack evening child care. Pontiac, another impoverished community, almost closed last summer, too, and now operates on a slim staff and emergency funding.

Currently, no adult education programming currently exists for adults in high-need Oakland County communities of Madison Heights, Oak Park, Hazel Park, or Southfield. While surrounding adult ed classes will enroll adults whose communities lack their own programming, we know that this population often lacks transportation to access services beyond their neighborhood borders.

While the Trump Administration’s proposed budget has been received with criticism and may not pass, it is true that adults in Michigan have increasingly limited access to adult education programming that could lift their literacy levels. The bottom line: it’s even more important today that Oakland Literacy Council is here to bridge the gap.

Category: News

You’re Invited to our International Potluck

March 28, 2019

Reserve your spot at the feast today!

Category: News

Volunteers needed for fundraiser

March 5, 2019

Category: News

Free Daytime Adult Reading Class

January 10, 2019

Bloomfield Hills, MI – Oakland Literacy Council will launch a free, 12-week series of classes for adults with low reading levels who live, work or go to school in Oakland County. The classes will be led by a seasoned, certified teacher from noon to 2 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays at Oakland Literacy Council’s office in Bloomfield Hills beginning on Feb. 5. Interested students are invited to an orientation on Tuesday, Jan. 22, or Thursday, Jan. 24, at noon.

“Because the class will meet for four hours a week, students will enjoy a sense of community while quickly building their reading fluency and comprehension skills,” says Lisa Machesky, executive director of Oakland Literacy Council. “We are excited to offer the classroom model because it has proven successful in other counties, especially for students who want to brush up on their reading skills before enrolling in a GED preparation program.”

The classroom model is in addition to the core service offered by Oakland Literacy Council of tutoring adults with low literacy by matching each one with a trained volunteer tutor. On any given week, 200 student-tutor pairs meet weekly for two hours throughout the county to build practical English skills.

Students interested in the new class should call the council office at 248-253-1617.

Category: News

Council President Recognized by County

December 18, 2018

Oakland County Commissioner Shelley Taub (right) presented the proclamation to Judy Lindstrom (center) during the council’s board meeting on December 12, 2018. Board member Ann Manning (left) congratulated Judy.

The Oakland County Board of Commissioners has recognized Oakland Literacy Council Board President Judy Lindstrom for her many years of “exceptional dedication, leadership, generosity and philanthropy.”

Judy first volunteered as a tutor for Oakland Literacy Council in 1997. Seven years later, she stepped into her first leadership role. Today, in addition to presiding over the council’s Board of Directors, she chairs the council’s annual fundraising dinner, Ex Libris.

“It is no exaggeration to state that without Judy, and her invaluable contributions and leadership, the organization as we know it would not exist,” declared a proclamation adopted by the county commissioners. “Judy truly understands the meaning of giving back and has made a positive and lasting impact on the community.”

Lindstrom said she was overwhelmed to receive the recognition. “I am truly blessed to be part of the Oakland Literacy ‘family,’” she said. “The dedication and hard work of our tutors, students, staff and board never ceases to amaze me.”

 

 

 

Category: News

Noted Language Historian to Keynote Fundraiser

October 25, 2018

October 25, 2018 – Bloomfield Hills, Mich. – Oakland Literacy Council announced that Anne Curzan, a noted linguist and expert in the history of the English language, will deliver the keynote speech at the council’s annual fundraising event on Thursday, November 1, 2018, at the Village Club in Bloomfield Hills.

Curzan is the Geneva Smitherman Collegiate Professor of English and an Arthur F. Thurnau Professor at the University of Michigan. She is the author of several books on the English language and a contributor to the “That’s What They Say” segment on Michigan Radio as well as a language blog for the Chronicle of Higher Education.

Now in its 34th year, the council’s Ex Libris event will also feature a current student who has learned English with help from an Oakland Literacy Council tutor. In addition, the event will honor the contributions of local civic leader Barbara Van Dusen. “Barbara has been a longtime supporter of literacy efforts in general and the Oakland Literacy Council in particular,” said from Judy Lindstrom, president of the council’s board of directors.

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.

Category: News

Council welcomes new board member

October 25, 2018

October 25, 2018 – Bloomfield Hills, Mich. – Oakland Literacy Council welcomed Joan Allesee, an instructional designer who has served as a volunteer tutor and tutor trainer, as the newest member of the council’s Board of Directors.

“Joan is a high energy individual who brings to the board her firsthand experience as a literacy tutor along with her expertise in developing training programs that incorporate best practices in education and leverage new technology,” said Lisa Machesky, Executive Director.

In 2016, Allesee designed and developed the council’s tutor on-boarding e-Learning course. The online course improves the ease and convenience of becoming a tutor with the council.

Allesee has over 25 years of experience creating learning solutions and facilitating training. She joined the Oakland Literacy Council as a tutor in 2014. She has tutored three students, facilitated the OLC tutor training workshop for two years, and trained other OLC volunteer facilitators. She earned a bachelor’s degree in communications from the University of Michigan and completed her M.S. in instructional design online at Quinnipiac University. In addition, she is a member of the board of directors of the Detroit Chapter of the Association for Talent Development. She works at Innovative Learning Group where she creates learning solutions for clients across the U.S.

Allesee is the third individual to join Oakland Literacy Council’s Board of Directors in 2018. She followed Alicia Stephens, Vice President of Customer Service Communications at Comerica Bank, and Roger Chao, Assistant Professor in Oakland University’s Department of Writing and Rhetoric.

The council’s Board of Directors is comprised of volunteer members who are actively involved in promoting and advancing the council’s mission.

Category: News

Tickets Available for Fundraising Event

October 2, 2018

Reserve your tickets today.

Category: Fundraisers, News

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In the News

Check out these articles about Oakland Literacy Council!

The Joy of Being a Literacy Tutor
Read between the ‘lions’
Give a little, give a lot
Seeking volunteer tutors

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Oakland Literacy Council
Oakland Literacy Council
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Based on 23 reviews
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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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