Annual Report 2015–2016

New Citizens Celebrated at Donor Event

resident Judge Chad F. Kenney has the esteemed honor of regularly presiding

over Naturalization Ceremonies at the Delaware County Courthouse in Media,

Pennsylvania.

But the hard work of becoming a citizen still impresses him. Speaking at the

Literacy Council’s Donor Coffee Reception in March 2016, President Judge

Kenney described the “aha moments” that happen when a teacher helps a student

open up a new world of understanding. He marveled at “the miracles that teachers

and adult students create every day.”

The 2016 Donor Coffee Reception highlighted new U.S. Citizens, letting DCLC’s

generous donors know the tremendous impact their gifts are making on adults who

study with the Literacy Council.

Also speaking at the event was Madoussou

Fofana, a DCLC student from Liberia who

became a U.S. Citizen after working with

her Volunteer Tutor Barbara Demps.

Madoussou told of escaping the civil war in Liberia and living in two other

countries before arriving in the United States 16 years ago.

“I hope to have my own business someday,” she said. “I have already voted in one

election, for the governor of Pennsylvania. This fall I will vote in my first election

for president. I am very happy and thankful to be an American citizen.”

DCLC Student Frida Sri Levi had become a U.S. Citizen just a few days before the

event, with President Judge Kenney presiding at her naturalization ceremony. Frida

thanked her Volunteer Tutor Carol Weiss for her help and inspiration, saying that

Carol is like family to her since her family is so far away.

P

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

DCLC Student Frida Seri Levi (center) with President Judge Chad F. Kenney and Volunteer Tutor Carol Weiss at DCLC’s Donor Coffee Reception.

627 Students Served

33,941 Instructional Hours

183 Volunteers

11 GED Graduates

25 New Citizens

“I am very happy and thankful

to be an American Citizen.”

—DCLC Student Madoussou Fofana

DCLC Student Madoussou Fofana speaks at the

March 2016 Donor Coffee Reception.

2 DCLC Annual Report 2015–2016 610.876.4811

Message from the Director

Dear Friends of the Literacy Council,

During our program year of 2015-16, we were

reminded of the crucial role of our community’s

support. We rely on you—our donors, tutors, and

community partners—as much today as when we

got started over forty years ago.

One joyful reason for celebrating our community

support was the wrapping up of our 40th anniversary

activities in 2015. Former students, staff, and board

members joined our current community to celebrate our milestone at a summer

birthday party and then again at our Champions of Adult Literacy fundraiser. It

felt like a kind of homecoming for those who have moved on from DCLC and

was an inspiration for the staff and students here.

We try to harness that joyful energy and feeling of being supported by our

community for our daily work. Every time a new batch of students comes to

DCLC, I have the privilege of telling them about our history and what we have

to offer. I also make sure to tell them how the teachers, tutors, and staff they see

every day are only part of the team who are cheering for them. I tell them about

the donors and community partners who are investing in DCLC because they

expect great things from our adult students. Hearing about this support and these

high expectations boosts our students’ confidence as they return to learning.

A less joyful reason to be grateful for our supporters was the Pennsylvania

Assembly’s prolonged delay in passing a spending budget. As a result of the

budget impasse, grant payments from the Department of Education were delayed for

eight months. I cannot express how grateful I am that donors and supporters

stepped in to ensure our students received continuous educational services

without missing a single class due to lack of funds. DCLC’s strength and stability

are a direct result of support from our donors and partners.

I want to thank everyone who helped make our 40th year a success. With

continued support from donors, volunteers, and community partners, I know

DCLC will serve our community for another 40 years.

Thank you for your support,

Kate McGeever

VIPs Add Special Touch to 40th Birthday Party Well-wishers gathered on the lawn of

the Literacy Council building in Chester

on a sunny July afternoon to celebrate

DCLC’s 40th anniversary and to honor

GED Instructor Gwen Cottman on her

retirement from DCLC.

Delaware County Council adopted a

special resolution in honor of the

occasion, noting that since its founding

in 1975 the Literacy Council “has

worked with over 18,000 adults to

improve their skills” and “has trained

over 6,000 community members to

become volunteer literacy tutors.”

County Council Members John McBlain

and Michael Culp were two of the local

VIPs on hand to serve cake at the party.

Also serving cake and greeting guests

were Pennsylvania Representative of the

164th District Margo Davidson and

Superintendent of Upper Darby Police

Michael Chitwood, as well as Kenny

Covert, founder of the community

organization Brothers of Concern.

The event allowed supporters past and

present to gather and wish DCLC

“Happy Birthday” and to celebrate the

impressive career of Gwen Cottman.

More photos of the event can be found

on page 8.

County Council Member John McBlain serves birthday cake to DCLC Volunteer Tutor Arlette Liberatore at DCLC’s 40th Birthday Party .

PA State Representative Margo Davidson (left) and Upper Darby Police Superintendent Michael Chitwood were among the VIPs serving cake at DCLCs Community Birthday Party in July 2015.

www.delcoliteracy.org DCLC Annual Report 2015–2016 3

Marty Mannion

David Markman

David Marshall

Peter Matthews

Carolyn Jane McCall

Mary Ellen McCann

Scott McCarthy

Carolyn McGlinchey

Joseph McGonigle

Robyn McGonigle

Tracy McIntosh

William McLaurin

Sharyn Mead

Marjorie Merklin Lane

Kathy Messerman

Susan Maria Mikus

Dana Millio

Pam Mitchell

Ruth Montesines

David Morgan

Pamela Anne Morris

Renee Morris

Lori Morrisroe

Eve Mountford

Bill Murray

Anongnat Murtaugh

Margaret Natalie

Joan Neely

Elizabeth Neilson

Diane Nissen

Mary O'Connor

Charles O'Hala

Joshua Ocko

Briget OLeary

Kayla Panek

Susan Parker

Monica Pasquarella

Sara Pasternack

Pat Paul

Michael Perlstein

Ellen Pierce

Frank Pilson

Stephen Plafker

Samantha Porter

Leslie Pumphrey

Thomas Quagliariello

Linda Ramsey

Stephanie Reaves

Reginald Regis

Patricia Rizzo

Mona Rofail

Anne Rossi

Carol Rude

Gabriell Sacks

Denise Alire

Elise Van Arsdale

Stephen Austin

Valerie Bankert

Kyle Barger

Bob Bellino

Nancy Berger

Rob Berley

Shirley Birenbaum

Ron Blagman

Frances Bloom

Denice Bohl

Joseph Bohovic

Jill Bonner-Rementer

Susan Bowen

Hope Dalton Bowman

Jocolyn Bowser-Bostick

Michael Brant

Lisa Brinkman

Peter Brooks

Michaele Brown

Ronald Brylinski

Janet Buckley

Carolyn Bussey

Matthew Byrne

Irene Calabrese

Olga Canamucio

Nicholas Capriotti

Shonette Harrison Carew

Michelle Cavallaro

Joan Cheers-Lindsay

Susan Clarey

Bill Clendenin

Andrew Cogbill

Anne Cohen

Barbara Cohen

Michael Coladonato

Joanne Cook

Barry Cutler

Kathy Daly

Bessie Davis-Sparks

Barbara Demps

Mary Dunwoody

Rick Durante

Paul Durkin

Perry Durkin

Anna Maria Eakins

William Eichner

Eleanor Ercole

Patricia Farley

Chad Fehl

Edward Finn

Eileen Flanagan

Maureen Fleming

Joann Flocco

Jane Fortin

Joanne B. Frank

Elaine Frieberg

Donald Garfinkel

Roberta George

Chris Geraghty

Patricia Garzarella Gigl

Ann Gilligan

Celesta Gray

Flossie Graziola

Lorraine Grippi

Charles J. Hanna

Jeffrey Haviland

Bill Hayward

Suzanne Hayward

Virginia Coulter Heindl

Ginny Henderson

Joyce Henderson

Edward Hennessy

Wendy Hess

Jenna Hostutler

Diane Hughes

Penny Hughes

Hillary Hyduke

Gwynne Isaacs

Anthony Jennings

Megan Judge

Rachel Kachnycz

Theresa Kanya

Bonnie Kaplan

Sadhana Kapur

Sandy Kauffman

Charles Kelbley

Lynn Kelly

Kathryn Kenney

Michelle Minzee Kim

Jonathan Abdur Rahim King

Lyn Klock

Lauren Kohl

Ed Koons

Alison Kotras

Priyanka Kumar

Jacob L'Armand

Andrea Laepple

Olive Ledlie

William Levengood

Lois Levine-Elman

Patrick Lewis

Arlette Liberatore

Dick Linderman

Annie Long

Jo Lumley

Mary Coleen Lynch

Patricia Saltis

Rande Saxe

Patricia Scanlon

Ernest Schroeder

Janet Schroeder

Frances Schultz

Heather Seifrit

Robert Senior

Renee Settles-Bean

Theresa Sharp

Barbara Sheehan

Frances Shehadi

Andrew Sheridan

Harriet Sherman

Arthur Sherry

Suzanne Sherry

Florence Silvey

Helen Simyak

Josephine Singer

Rise Skobeloff

Stephen Small

Lois Snyder

Jane Spiller

Jennifer Stevens

Suzanne Stewart

Jennifer Stock

Jack Stoddard

Peter Stokes

Maria Strauman

Peter Stroup

Alyssa Suhm

Kelly Thornton

Ilene Chester

Cynthia Trago

Lauren Marie Trexler

Saral Waldorf

Christine Walton

Anne Weisbord

Carol Weiss

Dick Whittington

Morgan Wieziolowski

Eileen Wiley

Kevin Wilson

Peggy Wyant

Colleen Yost

Volunteers in Program Year 2015–2016

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.

4 DCLC Annual Report 2015–2016 610.876.4811

Champions Fundraiser Highlights 40 Years

To mark 40 years of providing free literacy services to local adults, DCLC honored

four champions from its own ranks at the Third Annual “Champions of Adult

Literacy” Awards Reception on November 10, 2015, at Harrah’s Casino and

Racetrack in Chester. Here are the 2015 Champions.

Bob Preston (shown at right below) is DCLC’s Master Tutor Trainer and one of the

founders of the Literacy Council. In the 1970s he volunteered first to tutor, then to

train tutors, and finally to help the new organization establish itself. Preston has

continued to train volunteer tutors for all of DCLC's 40 years, launching the

generous efforts of more than 3,000 volunteers during that time.

Charlotte Hobson Griffin (see sidebar at left) first came to DCLC as an adult

student who wanted to work on her reading

skills. After reaching her student goals, she

served on the DCLC Board of Directors from

2005 to 2013.

Gwen Cottman taught evening GED Preparation

classes at DCLC for 30 years. She is well known

and loved for her personal approach to helping

adult students (see also page 8).

Madeline Bialecki served as DCLC’s

Executive Director from 2006 to 2013. During

that time she bolstered the Literacy Council's

public profile and community connections.

Generous sponsors who made the Third Annual

Champions of Adult Literacy event possible

include Franklin Mint Federal Credit Union,

Harrah’s Casino & Racetrack, Brinker Simpson & Co., the Swarthmore Rotary

Club, Andy Shelter Photography, Crozer Keystone, Chester Water Authority,

Delaware County Medical Society, John Cipollone Heating & Cooling, Perri

Evanson Homes, Plush Mills Retirement Community, Rose Valley Appraisal

Associates, Twist ’n Shout Graphic Design, and Baker Printing.

Charlotte Hobson Griffin (right) was honored as a 2015 DCLC Champion of Adult Literacy. Charlotte came to DCLC in the 1990s as a student and was paired with Volunteer Tutor Ellen Murphey (left). The two remain friends.

Ellen introduced Charlotte as a 2015 Champion, saying, “It takes a huge amount of courage to ask for help.”

In accepting her award, Charlotte admitted that for years she had hidden her poor reading ability. She came to the Literacy Council with the goal of passing a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) test.

“Ellen worked with me, and I was able to learn how to read and write well enough to pass the test,” she said.

Charlotte also shared a “most exciting moment” from her life when being able to read road signs correctly allowed her to drive from her home in Upper Darby to her mother’s home in Long Island, New York.

Once she achieved her student goals, Charlotte provided leadership at the Literacy Council through public speaking, serving on the board of directors, and coordinating special events. She is a true champion!

Champion Spotlight

“Faces of Literacy” Exhibit Tours Delco DCLC’s “Faces of Literacy” exhibit features photographs of adults who have overcome

life’s obstacles and who are improving their lives by pursuing better jobs, improving

their reading and writing, or learning to speak English for the first time.

Thanks to wonderful community partnerships, the exhibit made its way to several

locations in Delaware County in the spring of 2016. The exhibit was on display at

the Marple Library in February 2016, at Swarthmore College’s Lang Center for

Civic and Social Responsibility

in April 2016, at the Springfield

Township Library in May 2016,

and at the Media Borough Hall

in June of 2016.

At right, Karen Repino,

Media Borough Executive

Assistant (left), and DCLC

Volunteer Pam Mitchell

admire some of the works

from the “Faces of Literacy”

exhibit displayed in the

Media Borough Hall.

DCLC leads a collaborative of literacy

organizations serving Montgomery

and Delaware Counties, including

Keystone Opportunity Center in

Souderton, Adult Literacy Program at

the Abington Free Library, YWCA

Tri-County Area in Pottstown, Literacy

Council of Norristown, Won

Community Service Center in

Glenside, and the Delaware County

Technical School in Broomall.

Kim Kondla (left) introduced Bob Preston as a 2015 Champion of Adult Literacy. Both train volunteer tutors for the Literacy Council.

www.delcoliteracy.org DCLC Annual Report 2015–2016 5

DCLC Financial Data for 2015–2016

Eleven DCLC students earned their high school equivalency diplomas in 2015-

2016 by passing the GED tests. These students were honored at the Literacy

Council’s Annual GED Graduation Ceremony on June 15, 2016.

Several inspiring speakers addressed the graduates. Chester City Council Member

Elizabeth Williams congratulated the graduates for “taking a major step.” She

called GED graduation “the most important graduation of your life” because so

many other graduations are possible only with a high school diploma.

GED graduate Jean Badou shared his journey from the Republic of Benin in Africa

to earning his GED. When Jean arrived in the U.S., he first had to learn English,

studying with his DCLC Volunteer Tutor Caroline Packard. Then he entered a

GED class and, with hard work, earned his GED.

“I am still learning,” he told his fellow graduates. “You have to go for it and not be

afraid. Even to learn to walk, you have to fall down again and again.”

2016 GED Graduates Reach Milestone

Farzana Adil (right) landed a part-time position with Goodwill Industries in Swarthmore in May 2016. Employment Coach Wilma Guzman-Perez (left) helped Farzana with the many steps of her job search, including creating a resume and practicing for the job interview.

Wilma is available to help all DCLC students with setting goals and then pursuing a job search or further training.

DCLC Students Receive Help with Job Searches

DCLC students celebrate earning their GEDs. Pictured left to right are Charmaine Hawkins, Venice Rochester, Jean Badou, Tatianna Washington, Prince Dalieh, Jaqueline Nagy, Emily Branca, and De′Vante Edmonds-Williams.

6 DCLC Annual Report 2015–2016 610.876.4811

Lillie Guytonwallace

Wilma Guzman-Perez

Kerry and Rebecca Haber

Rush and Susan Haines

Elizabeth Hamilton

Charles J. Hanna

Holger and Anne Hansen

Harrah’s Philadelphia Casino

and Racetrack

Cynthia S. Harrington

Brian and Barbara Harris

Health Care Solutions of

Delaware Valley, LLC

Martin Spiegel and Linda

Heffernan

Frank Heinze

Sandra Herman

Sharon Hill

Robin L. Holmes

House Restaurant

Constance L. Howell

Clayton Hurlburt

Iron Hill Brewery &

Restaurant

J&R Associates

Donna M. James

Jenny Jex

John Cipollone, Inc.

William and Jeneane Johnson

Edmund Jones

Lisa A. Kaiser

Theresa Kanya

Heather Karlheim

Lynn Kelly

Kimberly Clark Corporation

King’s Automotive, Inc.

Ed Koons

Thomas Korman

Frederick Kosel

Adrian Leaf

Michael and Nancy Letts

Deanna Levin

Arlette Liberatore

Ilene D. Lieberman

Dick Linderman

Barbara Logan

Jeannie Longin

Jo Lumley

Christopher Maher

Toby and Melanie Maloney

Gordon Manin

Martin and Mary Mannion

The Ken Margolis Family

Giving Fund

Michael Marinucci

David Markman

David Marshall

Joseph Masek

Michael Allen

Jomo Atkins

Avenue Delicatessen

Naomi Bailey

Russell and JoAnn Bankes

Robert Barkhau

Charles Barksdale, Jr.

Arthur and Pamela

Bartholomew

Gloria Beam

David Belanger

Robert and Bonnie Bellino

Linda Berkowitz

Robert and Carole Berley

Madeline Bialecki

Paul and Jane Billings

Ronald and Ann Binder

Shirley B. Birenbaum

Ronald Blagman

Frances Bloom

Stephen Bobyock

James and Ruth Bock

Joseph Bohovic

Susan Bowen

Brinker, Simpson &

Company

Lisa Brinkman

Peter Brooks

Steven J. Brown

Bryn Mawr Running Co.

The Bryn Mawr Trust

Company

Ronald Burke

Judith Burns

Deanna Marie Byrne

Denise Campbell

John P. and Sharon J.

Capuzzi

Francis and Victoria Cardell

Terrance and Shonette

Harrison Carew

William Carney

Thomas Cavanaugh

Joseph and Debra Charley

Carrie Chelko

Chester Water Authority

Kristin, Casey, Cicely and

Erin Clark

Andrew Cogbill

Andrew Coleman

Stacy Collins

Desiree Collins

Comcast

Theresa Connors

Gwendolyn Cottman

Wilson Cottman

Joann Crowley

Crozer Keystone

Nina M. Cruice

Michael and Maureen Culbert

Susanna DeCecco

Desert Rose Restaurant

William and Carol DiMaio

Joan Dlugos

Linda P. Donnelly

Scott and Julianne Donnini

Dos Gringos Restaurant

Rick Durante

Paul and Catherine Durkin

Eastern State Penitentiary

Pierce Eckhart

Eugene Egan

William Eichner

George J. and Maureen A.

Eisele

Pat Engelbrecht

Richard and Renee Erickson

David and Perri Evanson

ExxonMobil Foundation

Judy Farling

Frank and Mary Fee

Edward and Ellen Finn

Eileen Flanagan

Judith A. Flannery

Maureen Fleming

The Foundation of the

Delaware County

Medical Society

The Franklin Fountain

Arthur Frank

Franklin Mint Federal

Credit Union

Joseph Gyourko and

Sally Fullam

Rith Furman

John M. Gardner

Donald Garfinkel

Gillian Geiger

General Electric Matching

Gifts

Chris Geraghty

Gerald J. Ward Trust

John Gillespie

Ann Gilligan

Rachel Giuliano

GlaxoSmithKline Foundation

Joshua and Cecilia Gold

Alan Gordon

Joseph and Celesta Gray

Sarell Grayson

Flossie Graziola

Ann Green

Charlotte Griffin

Daniel Guerin

Stephen B. and Annmichele P.

Gutsche

Peter Matthews

Joan P. Mauriello

Kenneth L. McCalla

Laura McCree

Patrick McGeever

Gloria McNutt

Florence Medica

Candace Meier

Sharon Menaldino

Kathy Messerman

Allen and Elizabeth Meyer

Melina Micich

Marge W. Mirarchi

Pamela Mitchell

Doris Mitrani

Joe and Lillian Mittleman

Byron D. Moat

Anita Jean Moran

William and Virginia Mosher

Christopher Mills and

Elizabeth Mosier

George and Eve Mountford

Frances Moyer

Debbi Muenz

Marshall Muhammad

Ellen Murphey and

Zara Joffe

Anongnat Murtaugh

Rostyslav and Victoria

Muzychko

John and Kay Myers

Joan Neely

David Neill

Richard and Mary Nenno

Newcomers Neighbors of the

Newtown Square Area

Barbara Norton

Patricia O’Donnell

Kenneth Takeshi Ogawa

Pamela Orr

Judith Owen

Caroline Packard

Richard and Patricia Paul

Andrea M. Paxton

Pennsylvania Institute of

Technology

Margaret Perry

Steven Perry and

Meredith Flower

Philadelphia Eagles

Philadelphia Flyers

Philadelphia Soul Arena

Football Team

Christine Polischuk

David and Amy Pollack

Robert Pope

John and Anne Poulin

Robert Preston

Donors in Fiscal Year 2015–2016

www.delcoliteracy.org DCLC Annual Report 2015–2016 7

Thomas Quagliariello

Linda Ramsey

Carol Reich

Andrew and Joann Reinsel

Donald Richter and

Jane Gilligan

Wendella Ricker

Trudi Rockwell

Paula Rosen

Renee Ross

Arlene Rossi

Mary Ellen Roy

Michael and Maureen

Rutkowski

Barbara Saling

Salon Olivia

Patricia Saltis

Robert and Judith Schachner

Carrie Schiavo

Louis and Patricia Scotto

Ann K. Seidman

Warren and Carol Sell

Robert T. Senior

Daniel and Barbara Sheehan

Andy and Vicki Shelter

Helen B. Simyak

Rise Skobeloff

David and Carol Smallwood

Thomas D. and Teresa M.

Smedile

Christine C. Smith

Dan Snyder

Lois F. Snyder

Charles and Ellen Spencer

Renae Ross Starker

John and Susan Stefanski

Cheryl D. Stevenson

Michelle Stewart-Greene

Joe and Fran Stimmler

Jennifer L. Stock

Catherine Stoddard

Thomas D. Stoddard

Chris and Jack Stoddard

Scott Stoddard

Peter Stokes

Maria Strauman

Amy Strauss

Peter Stroup

Helen Subbio

Flora Sullivan

Anne Tallent

Susan V. Tartaglia

Taylor Community

Foundation

Ten Thousand Villages

David and Christina Teter

Kelly Thornton

Dottie Tiffany

Lyndora Patterson Tiller

Barbara Timony

Frank Tobin and Ilene

Chester

Trader Joe’s

Marie Treftz

Thomas and Jean Ann Tryson

Twist n Shout

Union Methodist Men

Unitarian Universalist Church

of Delaware County

Unity Animal Hospital

Mina Hale Varney

Kathleen Vukoder

W.F. Wechsler & Associates,

LLC

Margaret Wales

Linda Walker

Anthony and Joan Watson

Carol A. Weiss

Susan E Wendt

Lois A. Westhoff

Robert White

Mitch and Laura Wienick

Charitable Contribution

Fund

Michael and Marcia

Wileczek

Sarette Williams

Henry V. Williams

Theresa A. Wilson

Allen Wizdo and Kay Fairs

Fily Wolczek

Mary Woods

Ernest Wright

Margaret Wyant

Yangtze Inn

Jerry Young

Charles and Ann Zech

Honoraria and Memoria Gifts

Bad weather and overgrown weeds did not deter the Rotary Club of Chester from lending a helping hand in May 2016. Members of the club donned their rain gear, picked up their garden tools, and cleared the area around the Literacy Council’s sign on Providence Avenue in Chester (shown at left).

Gifts in Honor of

Madeline Bialecki

Thomas D. and Teresa M.

Smedile

Frances Bloom

Kristin, Casey, Cicely and Erin

Clark

Susan Clarey

Judith Owen

Herb Cohen

Paula Rosen

Gwen Cottman

Sarell Grayson

Sarette Williams

Delaware County Literacy

Council

Shirley B. Birenbaum

Charlotte Griffin

Ellen Murphey and Zara Joffe

Ilene D. Lieberman

Barbara Norton

Margaret H. Light

Clayton Hurlburt

Kate McGeever

Patrick McGeever

Joan Neely and Dan Snyder

Linda P. Donnelly

Robert Preston

Stacy Collins

Hannah Rappaport’s

Birthday

Pamela Orr

Anne Tallent

Susan E Wendt

Ann Ward

Gerald J. Ward Trust

Gifts in Memory of

James Bajorek

The Ken Margolis Family

Giving Fund

Robert White

Topsy Blagman

Ronald Blagman

Rudolph Bloom, Jr.

Frances Bloom

Rick Burns

Judith Burns

Dorothy (Miller) Buxton

Scott and Julianne Donnini

Gordon Manin

Theresa A Wilson

Ruth Farling

Judy Farling

Lilian Finn

Edward and Ellen Finn

Mary Gilligan

Ann Gilligan

LeNora Hamilton

Michael and Nancy Letts

Elizabeth Keller

Charlotte Hobson Griffin

Edith Lefferts

Michael and Nancy Letts

Thulia Mead

John and Kay Myers

Patricia Miele

Barbara Logan

Howard Moyer

Frances Moyer

Rhoads and Eleanor

Murphey

Charlotte Hobson Griffin

Robert Neill

Charlotte Hobson Griffin

Deborah Preg

Margaret Perry

Arlene Rossi

William and Jeneane Johnson

DCLC Benefits from Generous Grants In 2015–2016, the Delaware County Literacy Council received several generous grants

from foundations, including:

$35,000 from The Philadelphia Foundation for general operating support.

$32,000 from the United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey for

general operating support.

$5,000 from the Connelly Foundation for general operating support.

$3,000 from the Ohev Shalom Community Outreach Committee for the purchase of

books for English as a Second Language students.

$2,000 from Chester Rotary for the purchase of books. DCLC Staff Full-Time Staff Kate McGeever, Executive Director Deb Charley, Adult Education

Coordinator Karen Hamilton, Adult Education

Coordinator Susan Keller, Communications

and Technology Specialist Tatiana Moskatova, Data Quality

Specialist

Part-Time Staff Naomi Bailey, Math Coordinator Linda Berkowitz, EL Civics Instructor

and ESL Tutor Trainer Khalif Brown, EL Civics Instructor Maureen Culbert, Bookkeeper Ann Gilligan, GED Instructor Wilma Guzman-Perez, Employment

Coach Kathleen Hauger, ABE Instructor Nancy Kirkwood, ESL Tutor Trainer Kim Kondla, Tutor Trainer Patrick Lewis, Volunteer Recruiter Candace Meier, EL Civics Instructor Robert Preston, Master Trainer Amy Rosenberg, GED Instructor

DCLC Board of Directors Robert M. Berley, President Kelly Thornton, Vice President Jennifer Stock, Secretary Penny Hughes, Treasurer Rick Durante Donald Garfinkel Jonathan Abdur Rahim King John Linder Dick Linderman David Marshall Charles O'Hala Linda Ramsey Patricia Rizzo Lois Snyder Carol Weiss

County Council presented Executive Director Kate McGeever (far right) with an official resolution recognizing DCLC’s 40th anniversary. Also shown in photo, from left: County Council Member Michael Kulp and DCLC Board Members Rick Durante and Dick Linderman.

DCLC Mission The Delaware County Literacy

Council works with adults who

wish to read, write, speak and

understand English, helping them

to increase their communication

skills and to participate more fully

in society. The Council uses

volunteers to ensure that programs

are free and accessible to everyone.

In Memory of Renée Ross Renée Ross came to the Literacy Council in the spring of 2010 after a stroke impaired her brain function and she needed to re-learn to read and write. Everyone at the Literacy Council was immediately taken by her vivacious personality and her willingness to learn and help. Living across the street from DCLC meant she was on hand for almost every DCLC event and witnessed the daily comings and goings at the Literacy Council.

Renée has won student awards, spoken at DCLC events, and created a video for the organization (search “Renée’s Story delcoliteracy” at youtube.com). Renée was a crafter, and she often showed her gratitude to her tutors and the Literacy Council staff by making beautiful, glittery gifts. She also donated many lovely craft items for our gift basket raffles. Renée died of a prolonged illness on March 22, 2017. We at DCLC will miss her.

More Highlights from DCLC’s 40th Birthday Party

Gwen Cottman (left) gets a hug from DCLC Math Coordinator Naomi Bailey (right) at the outdoor party celebrating DCLC’s 40th anniversary and Gwen’s retirement. Gwen taught GED preparation classes for 30 years at DCLC.

Photos in this publication are courtesy of Na’chelle Morris and Andy Shelter Photography.