Annual Report 2017–2018

dults who study at Delaware County Literacy Council (DCLC) have stories to tell. Each student travels a unique path to arrive at the Literacy Council and work toward his or her goals. In 2017–2018, several of DCLC’s inspiring students took the stage to share their journeys. Their words reveal the heart of DCLC’s work.

Kevin Morgan (honored as Student Champion at DCLC’s 2017 Champions of Adult Literacy event): “Today you’re looking at that young boy who transformed into a young man. My role models shifted from street thugs to men who were leaders through positive actions. I enrolled myself in Delaware County Literacy, which not only aided me in receiving my GED, but inspired me to further my education and enroll in college.”

Frida Seri Levi (shown at left, speaking at the 2018 Volunteer Appreciation event): “My teachers helped me get an American driver’s license and especially to pass the citizenship exam. I am a U.S. Citizen. I can cope with everyday life.”

Alice Johnson (speaking to volunteer tutors at the 2018 Volunteer Appreciation event): “Volunteers are the backbone of this organization. You have used your God-given abilities to help me and countless numbers of students grow in a way that will affect generations to come academically, socially, and economically. You believe in the impossible, and you make it happen.”

Michelle Agostini (speaking to fellow graduates at 2018 GED Graduation): “I came to the United States in 2016, determined to get a good job and live a full life here. The GED is proof that you and I were brave enough to take the journey. At times, we weren’t sure we would succeed, but we kept going. We passed the tests because we wanted the rest of the world to see our talent and our potential.”

C H A N G I N G L I V E S O N E A D U L T A T A T I M E

Delaware County Literacy Council (DCLC) 2217 Providence Avenue Chester PA 19013 610-876-4811 www.delcoliteracy.org

Inspiring Stories Only DCLC Students Can Tell

Photos courtesy of Evgeny Verivski

A

DCLC students (left to right) Kevin Morgan,

Alice Johnson, and Michelle Agostini share

their wisdom and experiences.

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Message from the Director

Dear DCLC Supporters,

One of my favorite activities each year is preparing this report because it reminds me of the impact of caring donors, funders, and volunteers working together to improve our community. As you read this report I hope you’ll notice some of my favorite facts about our work.

One of the first things I hope you see is the potential of the students we serve. In the infographic on page 4 you’ll see that 46% of the adults who come to DCLC are reading below the sixth-grade reading level and 41% of our adults are looking for work. Though this can feel like a daunting challenge, it’s truly an opportunity for our donors, volunteers, and staff to contribute to life-changing improvements in our students’ lives.

The second thing I hope you see is that the generosity of our donors and funders is matched by the grit and tenacity of our students and the volunteers and staff who serve them. Last year our 537 students spent 29,423 hours in class or working with their tutors. You can roughly double that number for time spent on homework, online work, or practicing English in the real world. Because of our donors and funders, 537 adults were able to channel their dreams and hard work into free educational services.

Finally, I hope you see the impact that our donors and volunteers have on the adults in our community. After just 60 hours of instruction over three to five months, half of our students improved their skills multiple grade levels. The success stories in this report give a glimpse into the opportunities that open up for our students when their skills and their confidence improve.

So even if writing a report doesn’t sound like a favorite activity, being reminded of the awesome potential, tenacity, and success of our students is. Please know that it is DCLC’s supporters—donors, funders, volunteers—who make this possible. Thank you for making your mark.

With gratitude,

Kate McGeever

DCLC Student Shines in Essay Contest

Persistence Helps Student Progress on Career Journey

Maria Torres came to the U.S. with professional skills and experience. Originally from the Dominican Republic, Maria worked as a dentist in the Dominican Republic and in Spain.

When Maria first applied for a position in a dental office, she was told her English skills were not good enough to do the job. Maria took action and enrolled with the Literacy Council to learn English. In November 2016, she started studying English as a Second Language (ESL) with DCLC Volunteer Tutor James Stein. Maria’s goals were clear. So after working on her English for two years, she applied to a dental office, and this time she landed the job! She is now a full-time dental assistant in the office of Mindy Benjamini, DMD, a dental practice in Narberth PA. Maria did not give up on her dream. As James says, “Her persistence and patience paid off!” Maria continues to study with James. “I'm studying English because I want to live here and continue training and work in my profession.” She is a true inspiration.

Dorcas Hailu (center) received a certificate and a $100 prize for writing the winning essay in the DCLC “People Helping People” contest, sponsored by Sun East Federal Credit Union.

Denise Romanelli (left) of Sun East Federal Credit Union surprised Dorcas and her tutor Arlette Liberatore (right) with the award.

Dorcas wrote an essay about helping a neighbor who was homebound with illness. Students who entered the contest wrote about serving their community by volunteering sometime in the past year.

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John Shaw Barbara Sheehan Craig Sheffler-Collins Mariann Sibinga Eunice Silver Helen B. Simyak Stephen Small Marianne Stapf James Stein Frances Stier Jennifer L. Stock Doreen Storey Peter Stroup Anne Tallent Bruce Thompson Kelly Thornton Ilene Chester Cynthia Trago Jacqueline Trolley Edward van Steenwyk Anthony Vivian Saral Waldorf Helene Walker Patricia Walker Christine Walton Brian Weir Carol A. Weiss Pamela Whitsett-Grundy Richard Whittington Margaret Wyant Robert Young

Sallie Anderson Richard Robin Austin Paul E. Badey Annamaria Beatty Robert Berley Shirley B. Birenbaum Ronald Blagman Frances Bloom Susan Bowen Valerie Breen Lisa Brinkman Robert Briselli Rebecca Brown Harry Bryans Olga Canamucio Colleen Marie Cannon Susan Chast Jennifer Colaccio Michael Coladonato Snownia Collins Sheila Cooper Chad Crisp Diane Crompton Barry Cutler Barbara Daley Nancy Daniel Dylan Davis Susanna DeCecco Frances DiLucido Mary Dunwoody Rick Durante Catherine Durkin Paul Durkin Ellen Eidelson Eleanor Ercole William Fantini Julia Fernandez John Fiedler Claire Field Ana Figueiredo Edward Finn Shahida Firfiray Beth Fitzsimons Eileen Flanagan Maureen Fleming Joann Flocco Joanne B. Frank Gerry Galgon Donald Garfinkel Julia Gaskins Patricia Garzarella Gigl Ann Gilligan Shyamali Godbole Anick Guillaume Gornish Stanley Gornish Mary Graham Flossie Graziola Lorraine Grippi Charles J. Hanna Daniel Hanson Angelo Hardy Karen Hardy Joyce Henderson Elaine Herbert Gene Hillman Glenda Hodges

Linda Hosier Diane Hughes Penny Hughes Charles J Istak Anthony Jennings Jay Joyce Michael Jurski Sandy Kauffman Lynn Kelly Jonathan Abdur Rahim King Carolyn Klock Ed Koons Ellen Kornfield Hazel Lafleur-Vetter Joyce Lee Michael LeFevre Victoria Lender Lois Levine-Elman Patrick Lewis Arlette Liberatore Jourdeana Linder Dick Linderman Jo Lumley Marie Maloney Marty Mannion David Markman David Marshall Michael Martin Peter Matthews Joseph McGonigle Tracy McIntosh Pamela Mitchell Renee Morris Eve Mountford Barbara Murphy William Murray Shri Nandan Debra Naso Margaret Natalie Annette Newman Marie-Annette O'Connor Charles O'Hala Caroline Packard Kristie Palumbo Susan Parker Patricia Paul Michael Perlstein Nancy Philippi Frank Pilson Linda Ramsey Elsa Rapp Reginald Regis Carol Reich Sadia Riasat Patricia Rizzo Susan Roseman Anne Rossi Barbara Saling June Sargent Rande Saxe Michael Scalise Patricia Scanlon Edward Schellhase Frances Schultz Leah Semmelhaack

Volunteers in Program Year 2017–2018

To celebrate the “joy of reading” and to honor their 20 years together, the AfterWords Book Club (shown below) made a creative and generous donation to the Literacy Council. Members donated $1 for each of the 20 years the book club has been in existence, resulting in a $260 donation.

“We know how much we enjoy books, and we couldn’t imagine what it would be like not to be able to read. We wanted to give the gift of literacy to others,” said Nancy Waxman, who founded the book club. The group includes members from Delaware County and Greater Philadelphia.

The group wanted to take their donation a step further, however, so the AfterWords Book Club challenged other local book clubs to make an anniversary gift to the Literacy Council. The Book Club Challenge for Literacy was born!

The challenge was publicized on social media (#BookClubChallenge2018) and through libraries and tutors. DCLC continues to accept Book Club Challenge donations.

To learn more about participating book clubs or to take the Book Club Challenge for Literacy, visit https://delcoliteracy.org/donate/challenge/.

Book Club Donates, Issues Challenge

The AfterWords Book Club: front row (left to right): Judy Sharbaugh and Renee Lawler; middle row (left to right): Lillian Franklin, Kathy Barnick, Amy Leary, Holly Cross, Nancy Waxman, Sue Hoffman, Marilyn Firchow, and Vicki Israel; back row (left to right): Joan McGillen, Marge Slavin, and Julie Narkin. Not pictured: Annie Hasselhan, Trish Mazzella, and Janet Mullen.

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Delaware County Literacy Council 2017-2018 Financial Data

GED Graduate Continues on her Path to Success Earning a GED is a memorable milestone in an adult student’s life, but it also is the first step toward a better life for that student. Having a high school equivalency allows students to pursue further education and better jobs.

For Emily Branca (shown at right), earning a GED with DCLC in the spring of 2016 allowed her to pursue her goal of working in a spa or salon.

To achieve her goal, Emily took specific, practical steps. First, she enrolled in Jean Madeline Aveda Institute in Philadelphia to train to become an esthetician. After she earned her PA license, Emily applied for and obtained a position at Joseph Anthony Retreat Spa & Dry Bar in Springfield. Now she shares her talents and training doing work she loves.

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320 Market Cafe 3M Advanced Material

Division 3M Donation Program Richard Adelizzi AfterWords Book Club Agilent Technologies Helene S. Alexander Michael Allen Allstate Anonymous Aria's Restaurant Steven Arnold and Reisa

Mukamal Jomo Atkins Brian Badgley Robert Barkhau Charles Barksdale, Jr. Todd Bauders Nancy Baulis David Belanger Robert and Bonnie Bellino Linda Berkowitz Robert and Carole Berley Amy Berman Madeline Bialecki Ronald and Ann Binder Shirley B. Birenbaum Ronald Blagman Stephen Bobyock Joseph Bohovic Jane Bostwick Susan Bowen Thurman R. Brendlinger, Jr.

and Lisa O'Mahony Brenda Brenner Brinker Simpson & Company Lisa Brinkman Robert Briselli Peter Brooks Reece Brown Steven J. Brown Nicole L Bruno Jane Buchanan Carey Burns Judith Burns Nora Burridge D. Byrne Deanna Marie Byrne David and Margaret Camp Hilda Campbell John P. and Sharon J.

Capuzzi Thea Carey Jacqueline Castagna Joseph and Debra Charley David and Adriana Chalson Chester Water Authority Mary E. Chollet-Lordan Patricia Cimino Hollie Citerone Peter and Susan Clarey Kristin, Casey, Cicely and

Erin Clark William Clendenin

Comcast Theresa Connors Ryan Conte Gwendolyn Cottman Wilson Cottman Charles and Sabine Cranmer Diane Crompton Joann Crowley Michael and Maureen Culbert Barbara Daley Michael and Erica Danowitz Elizabeth Davis Susanna DeCecco Delaware County Human

Resources Assn. Thomas Deluca Louise Denight William and Carol DiMaio Joan Dlugos Nancy Ducato Elizabeth Dunford Rick Durante Paul and Catherine Durkin Mary Anne Duthie Pierce Eckhart William Eichner Daniel and Lisa Embon Exelon Foundation ExxonMobil Foundation Judy Farling Caroline Marie Fecek Frank and Mary Fee Mary Ann Fiebert Catherine Fine Edward and Ellen Finn Beth Fitzsimons Eileen Flanagan Maureen Fleming Pasqualyn C. Flick The Franklin Fountain Arthur Frank Franklin Mint Federal Credit

Union Peter and Irene Friedrichs Friends of Brian Kirkland Joseph Gyourko and

Sally Fullam Dara Gaeta Donald Garfinkel Jocelyn Garfinkel Susan Garfinkel Patricia R. Gaul Teresa Gault Gerald J. Ward Trust Emmanuel Gilbert Jeanine Gillespie Tyrone Gilliam Ann Gilligan Arthur G. Girton, Esq. Gary Glenn and Judith Buck-

Glenn Joshua and Cecilia Gold Flossie Graziola Ann Green Nina Grier and Lynne

Jeannie Longin Jo Lumley Christopher Maher Toby and Melanie Maloney Greg and Mara Manfre Martin and Mary Mannion Michael Marinucci David Markman David and Cynthia Marshall Irma Mason Peter Matthews Stephen B. Maurer and

Frances Stier Joan P. Mauriello Kenneth L. McCalla Laura McCree Patrick McGeever Carolyn McGlinchey Peter McLaughlin Gloria McNutt Media Music Theatre Co. Candace Meier Andrew Merz and Ann

Broussard Pamela A Messaros Allen and Elizabeth Meyer John and Faith Midwood Marge W. Mirarchi Vincent and Laura Mirigliani Gloria Jean Mitchell Pamela Mitchell Doris Mitrani Joe and Lillian Mittleman Byron D. Moat Pat Morgan William and Virginia Mosher Tatiana Moskatova George and Eve Mountford Marshall Muhammad Karen Munin Ellen Murphey and

Zara Joffe Barbara Murphy John Murphy Rostyslav and Victoria

Muzychko National Spanish Honor

Society, Upper Darby H.S. Donna Neary David Neill Richard and Mary Nenno Brian and Linda O'Hara Patricia O'Donnell Richard and Patricia Paul Jacqualine Peace Judith and Thomas Pearsall Peoples Light & Theatre Steven Perry and Meredith

Flower Alfred and Ellen Pierce Frank Pilson Christine Polischuk David and Amy Pollack Robert Pope

Donors in Fiscal Year 2017–2018 Coleman

Charlotte Griffin Daniel Guerin Stephen B. and Annmichele

P. Gutsche Wilma Guzman-Perez Kerry and Rebecca Haber Alfred Johnson, Jr. and

Nancy Halli Mary Halloran Karen Hamilton Connie Haney Charles J. Hanna Holger and Anne Hansen Harrah's Philadelphia Casino

and Racetrack Brian and Barbara Harris Kathleen Hauger Health Care Solutions of

Delaware Valley, LLC Frank Heinze Kathy Henderson Charlene Hennessy Naomi Hirahara Robin L. Holmes Kevin and Bridget Hughes Iacona Collision Specialists Charles J Istak Donna M. James Michelle Janmey JB Collision, Inc. Jenny Jex John Cipollone, Inc. Caryn Johnson Jay Joyce Lisa A. Kaiser Janise Kane Steven Katz and Lauren

Freidus Katz Sandy Kauffman Susan Keller Lynn Kelly Kimberly Clark Corporation King's Automotive, Inc. Thaddeus Kirkland Ruth Kivitz Carolyn Klock Kim Kondla Ed Koons Thomas Korman Don Korobkin and Sandra

Herman Frederick Kosel KPB Realtor David E. Landau and

Stephanie H. Klein Mary Beth Lauer Barbara A. Laurenzi Michael LeFevre Melissa Lenhard Deanna Levin Patrick Lewis Arlette Liberatore Dick Linderman Barbara Logan

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John and Margaret Preg Professional Duplicating, Inc. James and Kathleen Proud Linda Ramsey Lizzie Reed Carol Reich Wayne and Patricia Reid Andrew and Joann Reinsel Donald Richter and

Jane Gilligan Wendella Ricker Neal Rightley David Riley Annette Rizzo Doug Sisk and Patricia Rizzo Sarah Roemer Lynne Roots Stefan Roots Paula Rosen Arlene Rossi Mary Ellen Roy Thomasine Ryan Robert and Judith Schachner Carrie Schiavo Ann K. Seidman Robert T. Senior Maureen Sharon Frances Sheehan Daniel and Barbara Sheehan Eunice Silver Hannah Sisk David and Carol Smallwood Thomas D. and Teresa M.

Smedile Dan Snyder and Joan Neely Lois F. Snyder Marianne Stapf Star Vista Enterprisess, LLC Renae Ross Starker John and Susan Stefanski James Stein and

Richard Couch Tyler L Stewart Jennifer L. Stock Kelli Stock Teresa J. Stock Peter Stokes and Nikki

Senecal Maria Strauman Peter Stroup and Moira Hahn Mary Jane C. Sturgis Helen Subbio Flora Sullivan Sun East Charitable

Foundation Sun East Federal Credit

Union Alfred and Mariann Talbot Anne Tallent The Bryn Mawr Trust

Company The Inn at Swarthmore The Interboro Kindergarden

Academy The Merck Foundation Terry Thornton Kelly Thornton

Dottie Tiffany Lyndora Patterson Tiller Frank Tobin and

Ilene Chester Top Class Detailing Eric Townes Marie Treftz Joseph and Louise Troiani Thomas and Jean Ann Tryson Eleanor Vadala Kathleen Vukoder Saral Waldorf Margaret Wales Barbara Walsh Brian K. Washington Nancy Waxman Cathy Weaver Carol A. Weiss Garry and Susanne Werner Edwin and Suzanne West Lois A. Westhoff Scott Whelan Robert White Crystal Whitehead Richard Whittington Molly Williamson Sallie J. Wilson Paul Winnington, III Mark Winston Tracey Witchko Ernest Wright Margaret Wyant Malcolm Yates Linda Youngstrom Charles and Ann Zech Jo-Ann Zoll

2017–2018 Tribute and Memorial Gifts

Gifts in Honor of

Sheila Bell Melissa Lenhard Robert and Carole Berley Lizzie Reed Madeline Bialecki Frank and Mary Fee Frances Bloom Kristin, Casey, Cicely and Erin Clark John Byrne D. Byrne Delaware County Literacy Council Shirley B. Birenbaum Jean Dorschu Renae Ross Starker Don Garfinkel Amy Garfinkel Karen Hamilton Patricia R. Gaul Charlotte Hobson Griffin Ellen Murphey and Zara Joffe Marie Reich Carol Reich Alfred and Mariann Talbot Frances Stier Stephen B. Maurer Jennifer L. Stock Garry and Susanne Werner Volunteers Jacqueline Castagna

Gifts in Memory of

James Bajorek Kenneth and Debra Margolis

Anthony Blagman Ronald Blagman

Topsy Blagman Ronald Blagman

Ruth Farling Judy Farling

Mary Gilligan Ann Gilligan

Leonard Goldfield Steven Arnold and Reisa Mukamal

Ethel I. Kennedy Ronald Blagman

Florence Klein David E. Landau and Stephanie H. Klein

Rachel McGeever Patrick McGeever

Pat Miele Barbara Logan

Joan Pilson Frank Pilson

Deborah Preg Karen Munin John and Margaret Preg Neal Rightley Arlene Rossi Mary Jane C. Sturgis

Helen B. Simyak Amy Berman Caroline Marie Fecek

Daniel Stevick Gary Glenn and Judith Buck- Glenn John and Faith Midwood James and Kathleen Proud Edwin and Suzanne West

Matthew Twyman, Jr. Lynne Roots

Earl Vadala Eleanor Vadala

Carl Westhoff Lois A. Westhof

Gerald J. Ward Gerald J. Ward Trust

DCLC appreciates all of our

generous donors and

volunteers. If we have

misspelled, misplaced, or

omitted your name in these

pages, please contact us so

we can correct the error.

DCLC Benefits from Generous Grants In 2017–2018, the Delaware County Literacy Council received several generous grants from foundations, including:

$30,000 Philadelphia Foundation

$4,000 Ohev Shalom Community Outreach Grant

$1,000 Cleveland Community Foundation

$1,000 CCRES

DCLC Staff Full-Time Staff Kate McGeever, Executive Director Duane Belgrave, Sr., ABE Instructor Liz Brenner, Director of Student

Support Services Deb Charley, Human Resources and

Facility Manager Karen Hamilton, Adult Education

Coordinator Jenn Kacimi, Director of Curriculum

and Instruction Susan Keller, Communications and

Technology Specialist Robert Lee, ESL Instructor, ESL Tutor

Trainer, and Volunteer Recruiter JoAnn Molitor, Employment Coach Kevin Morgan, Student Recruiter Tatiana Moskatova, Data Quality

Manager Steven Plominski, ESL Instructor Alison Priebe, IET Program Coordinator Kim Robinson, Student Support

Specialist Amy Rosenberg, ABE Instructor

Part-Time Staff Naomi Bailey, Math Coordinator Linda Berkowitz, ESL Instructor and

ESL Tutor Trainer Emily Crandell, ESL Instructor Maureen Culbert, Bookkeeper Ann Gilligan, ABE Instructor Wilma Guzman-Perez, Employment Coach Nancy Kirkwood, ESL Tutor Trainer Kim Kondla, ABE Tutor Trainer Candace Meier, ESL Instructor Robert Preston, Master Trainer James Stein, ESL Instructor

DCLC Board of Directors Kelly Thornton, President Lois Snyder, Vice President Jennifer Stock, Secretary Rick Durante, Treasurer Glen Cademartori Donald Garfinkel Jonathan Abdur Rahim King John Linder Greg Manfre David Marshall Patricia Rizzo Carol Weiss

In Memory of Patrick Lewis Patrick Lewis joined the Literacy Council as a volunteer tutor in 2014. By 2016, he was hired as DCLC’s Volunteer Recruiter. In his new role, Patrick publicized DCLC’s need for volunteers. He also enrolled new volunteers in tutor training, ensured that trainings went smoothly, and presided over DCLC’s volunteer appreciation event. While on staff, Patrick continued to volunteer as a DCLC tutor.

Patrick had a broad range of interests, including music, billiards, and poetry. He cared deeply about literacy, as evidenced in these quotes about his experiences as a tutor.

On tutoring: “DCLC has given me an immense sense of accomplishment by providing me an opportunity to help others achieve their personal goals.”

On meeting his student for the first time: “Instead of jumping right into the lessons, we sat and talked for almost 30 minutes and it helped to build a bond between us that has led to mutual respect and trust.”

Patrick died suddenly on November 16, 2018. We are thankful for all he contributed to DCLC, and we will miss him.

2018 Graduates Celebrate at Combined Ceremony

DCLC Graduates celebrated earning their GEDs at a combined graduation ceremony held at

Delaware County Community College. DCLC joined DCCC and Pathways PA in an inspiring graduation ceremony that honored 44 GED graduates from all three programs.