Annual campaign
Help us meet our goal
Donate to the KLC
Access to quality adult literacy services is needed now more than ever. The Kalamazoo Literacy Council (KLC) is helping adults throughout Kalamazoo County reach their goals through our Virtual Learning Center and by supporting volunteer tutors who are providing services during this time of unprecedented need.
Virtual Learning Center
The COVID-19 pandemic has certainly posed many challenges for our organization. Fortunately, we have been very successful in transitioning our learners to the KLC’s Virtual Learning Center. We are now offering the following classes: Writing, four English as a Second Language classes, Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFLⓇ), Citizenship, Job Opportunity and Basic Skills (JOBS), and Health Literacy, in addition to self-paced GED-preparation sessions and a book club. Our navigators are tirelessly working to help learners connect with their tutors virtually so they can continue to learn. The KLC has also established a Laptop Loaning Program that provides laptops and access to Wi-Fi for learners who need help bridging the digital divide. Our staff is working from home and is providing critical services, such as helping people file for unemployment, connecting to community resources that remove barriers, responding to the U.S. Census, and remaining engaged in our learning services.
Our Impact
Thanks to the generosity of contributors like you, the KLC is making a real impact on adult literacy. Over the past year, more than 750 learners received literacy and language services. This year, the KLC is making a special effort to help parents become more engaged in their children’s learning through our Parent Literacy Program. A multi-generational class will be offered through the KLC’s Virtual Learning Center. We will also continue to provide Workforce Literacy instruction to learners who want to improve their job skills. The KLC’s Health Literacy, Financial Literacy, and Computer classes will improve the well-being of every household served with support from a faculty of more than 200 trained volunteers.
Gilmore Foundation 1:1 Match
We recognize there are numerous needs in our community right now. We hope that if you are able and willing to support our cause that you will join our effort to engage our learners during these difficult times. This year, thanks to the Irving S. Gilmore Foundation, new contributions or increased contributions from last year will be matched dollar-for-dollar. We encourage you to make a gift to the 2020 Everyone Needs to Read Annual Campaign and help us take advantage of this wonderful gift.
Thank you for taking the time to consider our request to help provide access to quality literacy services to adults in our community.
Donate to the KLC
One housEhold at a time
There is nothing more rewarding for the Kalamazoo Literacy Council (KLC) than to see the impact we make on the lives of the learners we serve.
2019 Mard Little Award for Adult Learner Excellence Recipient Grace Ruuska is a wonderful example of what hard work and dedication to learning can accomplish. As a result of her studying with the KLC, Grace has found new interests and made dramatic changes to her life. She received a promotion at work, learned new bus routes so she can do things in the community, and continues to make progress in her reading!
In Kalamazoo County, more than 25,000 adults struggle to read.
Every Contribution makes a difference
- $75 provides training materials and workbooks for one tutor and one student.
- $150 provides annual subscriptions (newspapers, books, and magazines) for 10 adult learners.
- $300 trains three volunteer tutors to begin literacy instruction.
- $750 provides scholarships for 10 tutors or instructors to attend training workshops to sharpen their skills.
- $1,000 funds the annual costs for materials, assessments, and instruction for 10 adult learners.
- $2,500 funds the books and supplies for a Community Literacy Center that can serve 25 learners annually.
- $5,000 funds the online academic instruction and in-class tutoring support for 50 adult learners annually.
Supporting tutor and student needs
The KLC provides free books and supplies to students and tutors so everyone who wants to learn how to read has the materials needed to take that very important step. Each tutor/student matched pair uses $100 annually in books and supplies.
$20,000
will be used to support 200 matched pairs.
Working Together
More than 30 organizations are working together as part of the Adult Literacy Collaboratives (ALC) of Kalamazoo County to ensure every adult has the educational level and skills to be succesful at work, at home, and in the community. This groups unites adults education, workforce development, literacy service providers, business, and other organizations to support he cause of adult literacy and is convened monthly by the KLC.
$2,500
will be used to support the ALC.
Funds will support Parent Literacy Programs.
Workforce Development
Everyone needs to read to get a job. The JOBS Program strengthens critical literacy skills for the workplace.
Early Childhood Ed
Everyone needs to read to help their children learn. 228 parents study with the KLC and our "Parent Literacy Together" class helps parents and children can both enjoy learning.
Healthcare
Everyone needs to read to manage their health. Our "Read and Seed" Health Literacy Course helps learners make healthier decisions for their families.
All learners should have access to quality literacy services that empower them to reach their goals.