Kalamazoo Literacy Council

Edison Mural & Public Art Academy
2026-04-30 17:30 - 19:00, 2026-05-07 17:30 - 19:00, 2026-05-14 17:30 - 19:00 (America/Detroit) | 420 E. Alcott St. Kalamazoo, MI 49001, 420 E. Alcott Street, Kalamazoo, MI, 49001
Join WMU art instructor Heidi Weiss for a free, 6-week course all about mural creation, maintenance, and restoration. The four evening classes and two paint days will use the street mural at Literacy Lane in the Edison neighborhood as the focal point. All are welcome to attend, and participants will receive a certificate of completion. Sign up here and come paint with us!

New Tutor Orientation
2026-05-07 18:00 - 19:30, 2026-09-10 17:30 - 19:00, 2026-11-05 17:30 - 19:00 | 420 E. Alcott St. Kalamazoo, MI 49001, 420 E. Alcott Street, Kalamazoo, MI, 49001
Welcome to the Kalamazoo Literacy Council’s new tutor orientation! In this 90-min presentation, you will learn about our mission, services, the training process, and what to expect from being a certified volunteer tutor with the KLC. This is a hybrid training, so you may participate in person or online. To sign up, please use the tutor registration form.

Tutor Training Part 1
2026-05-11 18:00 - 19:30, 2026-09-14 17:30 - 19:00 | 420 E. Alcott St. Kalamazoo, MI 49001, 420 E. Alcott Street, Kalamazoo, MI, 49001
Welcome to the Kalamazoo Literacy Council’s tutor training! The training is held in four parts, over two weeks, in person or online. After this training, you will be certified to tutor adults using the Laubach method and the Challenger series and you will then be matched with an adult learner. To sign up, please use the tutor registration form.

Tutor Training Part 2
2026-05-14 18:00 - 19:30 | MI

Tutor Training Part 3
2026-05-18 18:00 - 19:30, 2026-09-21 17:30 - 19:00 | 420 E. Alcott St. Kalamazoo, MI 49001, 420 E. Alcott Street, Kalamazoo, MI, 49001

Family Literacy Day
2026-05-20 17:00 - 19:00 | 420 E. Alcott St. Kalamazoo, MI 49001, 420 E. Alcott Street, Kalamazoo, MI, 49001
Springtime means the Read and Seed community garden is open for Family Literacy Days! Join us on Wednesday, May 20, from 5:00-7:00 p.m. for fun and learning in a beautiful outdoor setting. Families will enjoy garden activities, learning stations, story time, free books, and more. The garden is located behind the Goodwill building at 420 E. Alcott St. All are invited!
Questions: Contact Kamaria at (269) 382-0490 ext. 263 or knichols@kalamazooliteracy.org.

Edison Mural & Public Art Academy
2026-05-21 17:30 - 19:00 | 420 E. Alcott St. Kalamazoo, MI 49001, 420 E. Alcott Street, Kalamazoo, MI, 49001
Join WMU art instructor Heidi Weiss for a free, 6-week course all about mural creation, maintenance, and restoration. The four evening classes and two paint days will use the street mural at Literacy Lane in the Edison neighborhood as the focal point. All are welcome to attend, and participants will receive a certificate of completion.

Tutor Training Part 4
2026-05-21 18:00 - 19:30, 2026-09-24 17:30 - 19:00 | 420 E. Alcott St. Kalamazoo, MI 49001, 420 E. Alcott Street, Kalamazoo, MI, 49001

Family Literacy Day
2026-06-17 17:00 - 19:00 | 420 E. Alcott St. Kalamazoo, MI 49001, 420 E. Alcott Street, Kalamazoo, MI, 49001
This month’s theme is Pollinators! Come join us in the Read and Seed community garden for lots of fun all around these important insects. We’ll have a Story Walk, free books from the library, and garden activities. The community garden is located behind the Goodwill building at 420 E. Alcott St. All are welcome!

Kalamazoo Scrabble Fest
2026-08-08 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 for the 15th Annual Kalamazoo Scrabble Fest, where word enthusiasts and literacy advocates shine! Scrabble Fest is the area’s only Scrabble tournament and an epic FUNdraiser for the KLC. Each $25 ticket in the Just for Fun or Competitive division includes a tshirt, snacks, and parking. Or, businesses can sponsor a 4-person team for $200. All proceeds benefit the Kalamazoo Literacy Council’s programs, helping adults in our community build essential reading, writing, and math skills. Get your tickets now and help us spell success for KLC learners!

Family Literacy Day
2026-08-19 17:00 - 19:00 | 420 E. Alcott St. Kalamazoo, MI 49001, 420 E. Alcott Street, Kalamazoo, MI, 49001
Recycle, reduce, reuse! This month’s event is all about sustainability. Come learn about the power of solar, wind, and water, and the magic of nature. Earn Market Buck$ to buy cool items from our Farmer’s Market, enjoy a StoryWalk with “The Leaf Thief” and get free books from KPL’s Mobile Library. All are welcome!

Tutor Training Part 2
2026-09-17 17:30 - 19:00 | 420 E. Alcott St. Kalamazoo, MI 49001, 420 E. Alcott Street, Kalamazoo, MI, 49001

Adult Literacy Research & Training Symposium
2026-10-09 08:00 - 15:30 | Western Michigan University, MI, 49008, United States
Save the date for the KLC and Western Michigan University’s annual professional development conference, the Adult Literacy Research & Training Symposium. This free event offers strategies and insights around best practices for teaching adults and empowering learners. This year’s theme is “Literacy without limits,” and engaging sessions will cover topics such as AI in adult learning, Digital Skills, Workforce Development, and Multigenerational Learning. Volunteer tutors, educators, advocates, and students are encouraged to attend. Agenda and details will be announced soon. For questions or inquiries about presenting at the conference, please email us or call (269) 382-0490 ext. 4786.

Tutor Training Parts 1 & 2
2026-11-14 09:00 - 13:00 | 420 E. Alcott St. Kalamazoo, MI 49001, 420 E. Alcott Street, Kalamazoo, MI, 49001
Welcome to the Kalamazoo Literacy Council’s tutor training! The November sessions are held over two Saturdays, in person or online. After this training, you will be certified to tutor adults using the Laubach method and the Challenger series and you will then be matched with an adult learner. To sign up, please use the tutor registration form.
