Kalamazoo Literacy Council

Health Literacy Forum
2021-03-17 12:00 - 13:30 (America/Detroit) | Online, MI, United States
Forum leader: Doris Ravotas, Ph.D
Because health is a topic that applies to every adult learner, having tutoring strategies that meet the health goals of learners is important. According to the Partnership for Clear Health Communication, literacy skills are the strongest predictor of health status, more than age, income, employment status, education level or racial/ethnic group.
This forum will provide strategies of how to provide instruction that imparts health and literacy skills for adult learners. We will also discuss the most recent updates on Covid-19 safety measures and the vaccine. Learn more about the KLC’s Health Literacy programs.

Workforce Literacy Forum
2021-03-12 09:00 - 10:00 | Online, MI, United States
Forum leader: Rose Fetzer (269) 849-9396
This forum will explore how tutors 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.

ESL Tutor Forum
2021-03-24 12:00 - 13:30 | Online, MI, United States
Forum leader: Jackie Denoyer (269) 348-0883
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 virtual teaching strategies for tutors and instructors who provide literacy instruction for non-native English speakers. Learn more about ESL of Southwest Michigan.

Tutor Training
2022-09-22 14:00 - 15:30, 2022-09-19 14:00 - 15:30, 2022-09-15 14:00 - 15:30, 2022-09-12 14:00 - 15:30, 2022-05-19 14:00 - 15:30, 2022-05-16 14:00 - 15:30, 2022-05-12 14:00 - 15:30, 2022-05-09 14:00 - 15:30 | Online, MI, United States
Welcome tutor trainees! This is the training that the KLC requires after orientation and before tutors can be matched with a learner. In these four 90-minute trainings, we will focus on hybrid learning, blended learning, and using the Laubach and Challenger series.

Tutor Orientation
2022-09-08 15:00 - 16:30 | Online, MI, United States
Welcome tutor trainees! This is the official orientation session the KLC requires before training, and before tutors can be matched with a learner. In the Literacy Advocacy Orientation, you will learn about the KLC’s history, programs, services, learners, and your critical role as a volunteer tutor. This training process includes an orientation, and four sessions of 90-min trainings. We focus on hybrid learning, blended learning, and using the Laubach and Challenger series. Click here to register.

Family Literacy Day
2022-09-07 12:30 - 14:30 | 420 E. Alcott St. Kalamazoo, MI 49001, 420 E. Alcott Street, Kalamazoo, MI, 49001
Join us for September’s Family Literacy Day! This month’s theme is all about garden fresh nutrition. Our featured presenter will be Chef Tyler Schuette who will create a delicious summer salad recipe using veggies from the Read and Seed community garden. Families can also grab free books from the Kalamazoo Public Library and get information from Paramount Charter Academy. This free event is open to the community to come out and learn about gardening, nutrition, and of course, literacy!
Family Literacy Day is held in the Read and Seed community garden, behind the Goodwill Industries building at 420 E. Alcott, 49001. In case of rain, we will move indoors.
To RSVP, contact Kamaria at (269) 350-4595 or knichols@kalamazooliteracy.org.

Career Fair For All
2022-08-10 08:00 - 11:00 | Urban Alliance, 1009 E. Stockbridge Avenue, Kalamazoo, MI, 49001
Community Job Fair That’s Open to the Public!

Join Michigan Works! Southwest, the Edison Early Childhood Education Career Pathway and local community agencies for this career fair event taking place at Urban Alliance.

Job seekers that attend can also take advantage of wraparound services from the following agencies:
• Michigan Works! SW- resume assistance
• WDI/ Access for All
• Mi Reconnect/ KVCC
• Kalamazoo RESA Head Start
• Youth Opportunities Unlimited (YOU)
• Southwest Childcare Resources
• Kalamazoo Literacy Council
• Goodwill Industries of Southwestern Michigan

These employers will be participating:
• Milestone Senior Services
• Star Truck Rentals
• Mann+Hummel
• Millennium Group
• Great Lakes Center for Autism Treatment
• Kalamazoo RESA
• Kalamazoo RESA Head Start
• Greenleaf Hospitality
• YWCA Kalamazoo
• Stryker
• Arcadia Home Care
• Landscape Forms
• Tire Wholesalers
• B&B Trucking
This career fair is hosted by Michigan Works! Southwest, Urban Alliance, Edison Early Childhood Education Career Pathway and Early Childhood Investment Corporation.

Kalamazoo Scrabble Fest
2022-08-06 08:00 - 11:30 | Radisson Plaza Hotel and Suites, 100 W. Michigan Avenue, Kalamazoo, MI, 49007, United States
It’s time for Kalamazoo Scrabble Fest! Each year, players come together for a fun-filled day of gaming to support adult literacy. This year’s event is Saturday, April 6, 12:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. at the downtown Radisson. We are excited to welcome back players in the Just for Fun, Competitive, Teams, and Online divisions. 100% of Scrabble Fest proceeds support the free programs and services of the KLC, for adults who struggle to read.
Registration Fees:
In-person tickets are $25 per player ($30 at the door). A 4-person team registration is $200. Fees include hors d’oeuvres, tshirt, and gaming materials. Cash bar will be open. Online tickets are $5 for up to 3 submissions or $25 for unlimited submissions.
Prizes:
Trophies will be awarded for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place in the Just for Fun, Competitive, and Teams divisions. Cage Match players will compete for fun prizes. Online players will be entered into a raffle for a cool prize.
Register today and come play with us! Deadline is July 22, 2022.
Want to see what it’s all about? Enjoy this highlight reel from our 10th Kalamazoo Scrabble Fest.

Navigation Strategies Workshop
2022-05-20 05:00 - 10:00 | Online, MI, United States
Navigation Strategies Workshop
May 20, 2022
9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Hybrid (Virtual and in-person)
Purpose:

To strengthen the coordination of navigation services and supports that improve retention rates and participation.
To share information with navigators, case managers, and early learning professionals about community resources that help remove barriers to learning and employment.
To provide professional development on strategies and how to utilize navigation services to benefit adult learners and employees.

To register: Contact Kito Jumanne-Marshall, (269) 382-0490 ext. 211.
For details or questions on Michigan Works Agencies and programs, please visit https://www.michiganworkssouthwest.org/
This event is an offering of Edison Early Childhood Education Career Pathway University. Click here to see other trainings and workshops.
