"What's up, I can't read" - Community and Literacy with Oliver James
2024-04-18 17:00 - 18:30 (America/Detroit) | Mt. Zion Baptist Church, 120 Roberson St., Kalamazoo, MI, 49007, United States
Join the Kalamazoo Literacy Council and the Kalamazoo Public Library as we proudly welcome Oliver James to Kalamazoo, on Thursday, April 18! Oliver is a motivational speaker, father, and adult learner who began teaching himself to read as an adult. He chronicled his literacy journey on social media and has amassed hundreds of thousands of followers and supporters. Oliver has received plenty of media attention as well, including People Magazine, Good Morning America, and NPR, and he is the recipient of the Barbara Bush National Literacy Honor Award from the Barbara Bush Foundation. Despite all the public accolades, Oliver says his journey is just getting started and that he’s determined to do everything he can do keep motivating millions of adults just like him to reach their goals.
This is a free community wide event. Please register here on the Kalamazoo Public Library’s website.

Tutor Training Part Four
2024-04-22 18:00 - 19:30, 2024-05-16 18:00 - 19:30 | 420 E. Alcott St. Kalamazoo, MI 49001, 420 E. Alcott Street, Kalamazoo, MI, 49001
This is the training that is required to become a certified reading tutor with the KLC. You will learn how to teach adults using the Laubach method and the Challenger reading series, plus effective strategies for tutoring and engaging native English speakers and English language learners. These sessions are hybrid, so you can choose to participate in person or online. If you have any questions, please contact Abbey at (269) 382-0490 ext. 219 or aweathers@kalamazooliteracy.org. Thanks for supporting adult literacy!

Tutor Orientation
2024-05-02 18:00 - 19:30 | 420 E. Alcott St. Kalamazoo, MI 49001, 420 E. Alcott Street, Kalamazoo, MI, 49001
At new tutor orientation, you will learn about the KLC’s mission, vision, services, and programs. We will also outline what you can expect from the tutor training sessions. The KLC’s tutor orientation and training sessions are hybrid, so you may choose to participate in person or online. To sign up, please fill out the form here. If you have any questions, please contact Abbey at (269) 382-0490 ext. 219 or aweathers@kalamazooliteracy.org. Thank you for your interest in supporting adult literacy!

Tutor Training Part One
2024-05-06 18:00 - 19:30 | 420 E. Alcott St. Kalamazoo, MI 49001, 420 E. Alcott Street, Kalamazoo, MI, 49001

Tutor Training Part Two
2024-05-09 18:00 - 19:30 | 420 E. Alcott St. Kalamazoo, MI 49001, 420 E. Alcott Street, Kalamazoo, MI, 49001

Tutor Training Part Three
2024-05-13 18:00 - 19:30 | 420 E. Alcott St. Kalamazoo, MI 49001, 420 E. Alcott Street, Kalamazoo, MI, 49001

Family Literacy Day - Spring Fest
2024-05-22 17:00 - 19:00 | 420 E. Alcott St. Kalamazoo, MI 49001, 420 E. Alcott Street, Kalamazoo, MI, 49001
Join us on Wednesday, May 22, as we kick off the Family Literacy Day season with Spring Fest. We’ll have fun activities in the Read and Seed community garden, free books from Kalamazoo Public Library, a cool story walk, and more. All are invited!
The Read and Seed community garden is located behind the Goodwill Industries building at 420 E. Alcott St. Contact Kamaria with questions at (269) 382-0490 ext. 263 or knichols@kalamazooliteracy.org.

2024 Annual Meeting
2024-05-30 17:30 - 19:00 | honor credit union, 4400 Stadium Dr., Kalamazoo, MI, 49008, United States
Please join us for our annual meeting on Thursday, May 30. We look forward to sharing exciting programming highlights from the past year, insights on the state of adult literacy in the region, and plans to continue celebrating our 50th anniversary. We will also honor the Edison Resident Scholars as our Literacy Advocates of the Year, for their tireless efforts around community-engaged work at the neighborhood level.
Guests will enjoy a catered meal. Please RSVP by May 23 to (269) 382-0490 ext. 211 or by clicking here.

Community Resource Fair
2024-06-10 13:00 - 15:00 | Interfaith Homes, 1037 Interfaith Boulevard, Kalamazoo, MI, 49007, United States
Join us on Monday, June 10, 1:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m. at Interfaith Homes for a Community Resource Fair! Many local agencies will be on site ready to provide helpful, important information to help you and your family live better, healthier lives. This event is free and open to the broader Kalamazoo community and we hope to see everyone there. Please call (269) 382-5771 or email rollie@kalamazooliteracy.org with questions.

Workforce Literacy Forum
2024-06-14 11:00 - 12:00 | MI
Forum leader: Tameca Black, (269) 382-0490 ext. 253
This forum will explore how tutors and partners can provide instruction to help learners acquire the literacy skills they need to engage in workforce development activities.
Getting a job is a major motivation for many adult learners. In today’s workforce, knowing how to read is a necessary skill to obtain a job, be promoted, or keep a current job. Workforce literacy includes equipping learners with the vocabulary, reading, writing, and critical thinking skills necessary to become proficient in services provided by workforce development and employment readiness agencies. We will also discuss various career pathways that are designed to ensure direct access to employment via paid apprenticeships.
To join the Workforce Literacy forum, contact Kito Jumanne-Marshall at (269) 382-0490 ext. 211.

Family Literacy Day - Pollinators
2024-06-19 17:00 - 19:00 | 420 E. Alcott St. Kalamazoo, MI 49001, 420 E. Alcott Street, Kalamazoo, MI, 49001
Come beat the heat indoors with us! All are invited to Family Literacy Day on Wednesday, June 19. Stay cool and enjoy fun games & literacy activities, story time, free books, and more. 5:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m. at 420 E. Alcott St., inside the Goodwill building.

ESL Tutor Forum
2024-06-25 14:30 - 15:30, 2024-07-23 14:30 - 15:30 | MI
Forum leader: Lupita Flores (269) 382-0490 ext. 224
English as a Second Language (ESL) is an important part of the adult learning continuum. Immigrants and refugees in our communities are eager to learn language and literacy skills that help them function at work, school, and community settings. Increasingly, volunteer tutors are providing instruction for ESL learners. This forum will provide teaching strategies for tutors and instructors who provide literacy instruction for non-native English speakers. We also invite you to share your experiences in these online meetings. Learn more about ESL of Southwest Michigan.
To sign up for the forum, contact Kito Jumanne-Marshall at (269) 382-0490 ext. 211.

Workforce Literacy Forum
2024-07-13 11:00 - 12:00, 2024-08-09 11:00 - 12:00 | Online, MI, United States

Family Literacy Day - Colors & Numbers
2024-07-17 17:00 - 19:00 | 420 E. Alcott St. Kalamazoo, MI 49001, 420 E. Alcott Street, Kalamazoo, MI, 49001
Join us for Family Literacy Day! This month we will have fun exploring colors and playing with numbers. Attendees will enjoy a Story Walk featuring “Dog’s Colorful Day,” harvest veggies from the garden, and take home free books from our friends at the Kalamazoo Public Library. Family Literacy Days are held on the third Wednesday of the month in the Read and Seed community garden behind the Goodwill building at 420 E. Alcott St.
Contact Kamaria at (269) 382-0490 ext. 263 or knichols@kalamazooliteracy.org with questions.

Literacy Lane Mural Project Workday
2024-08-10 11:30 - 18:00, 2024-08-11 11:30 - 18:00, 2024-08-12 11:00 - 18:00, 2024-08-14 11:00 - 21:00 | Bryant St.
All are invited to help artist Maya James as she creates a beautiful, vibrant, and colorful street mural at Literacy Lane. You will be working alongside Maya and a team of volunteers to prepare the site and paint sections of the mural. Literacy Lane is located at the dead end of Bryant St. (off Portage Rd.) in the Edison neighborhood. For further details, please click here.

13th Annual Kalamazoo Scrabble Fest
2024-08-10 12:00 - 15:30 | Radisson Plaza Hotel and Suites, 100 W. Michigan Avenue, Kalamazoo, MI, 49007, United States
Let’s get ready to SCRABBLE! Join us on August 10th for Kalamazoo Scrabble Fest, the KLC’s largest annual FUNdraiser and the city’s only Scrabble tournament. Each year, players gather for a great day of gaming in support of adult literacy. This year, for our 50th anniversary, we are planning even more ways to amp up the “fest,” by partnering with downtown retailers – the exciting details will be announced soon. In the meantime, reserve your tickets here for the Just for Fun, Competitive, or Teams (4-players) divisions by July 19. Ticket fees include a commemorative tshirt, delicious hors d’oeuvres, free parking, and gaming materials. Please be sure to select your tshirt size with your order.
Questions? Call (269) 382-0490 ext. 4786 or email us.

Back to School Bash
2024-08-15 13:00 - 16:00 | Interfaith Homes, 1037 Interfaith Boulevard, Kalamazoo, MI, 49007, United States
Join us for our annual party to help kick off the new school year! Families from the community are invited to enjoy a foam party, snow cones, music, and giveaways from resource partners and community agencies. Contact Roeshell at (269) 382-5771 or rollie@kalamazooliteracy.org for details.

Family Literacy Day - Soil Layers
2024-08-21 17:00 - 19:00 | 420 E. Alcott St. Kalamazoo, MI 49001, 420 E. Alcott Street, Kalamazoo, MI, 49001
Join us for Family Literacy Day where families will engage in fun activities such as learning about soil layers and their importance, making a soil layer treat, creating a plant graph, and taking part in an alphabet search. Plus, enjoy a story time with “Wonderful Worms,” and take home free books from Kalamazoo Public Library. Contact Kamaria at (269) 382-0490 ext. 263 or knichols@kalamazooliteracy.org with questions. All are invited and we hope to see you!

Literacy Lane Mural Project - Open Work Day
2024-09-03 14:00 - 21:00, 2024-09-04 15:30 - 21:00, 2024-09-05 15:00 - 20:00, 2024-09-06 15:00 - 21:00 | Bryant St.
Join artist Maya James, the Edison Resident Scholars, and a team of volunteers as we put the finishing touches on the Literacy Lane street mural! The mural contains 56 different elements that teach about vocabulary, physical activity, reading, community resources, and the environment. It’s a beautiful addition to the neighborhood that’s designed to foster a love of literacy and learning. Literacy Lane is located at the end of Bryant St., off Portage Rd. between Alcott St. and Lane Blvd. in Edison, behind the Family Health Center and Department of Health & Human Services. For more details, please click here.

Tutor Training Orientation
2024-09-05 18:00 - 19:30 | 420 E. Alcott St. Kalamazoo, MI 49001, 420 E. Alcott Street, Kalamazoo, MI, 49001
At new tutor orientation, you will learn about the KLC’s mission, vision, services, and programs. We will also outline what you can expect from the tutor training sessions. The KLC’s tutor orientation and training sessions are hybrid, so you may choose to participate in person or online. To sign up, please fill out the form here. If you have any questions, please contact Abbey at (269) 382-0490 ext. 219 or aweathers@kalamazooliteracy.org. Thank you for your interest and support of adult literacy!

Tutor Training Part One
2024-09-09 18:00 - 19:30 | MI
