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| Introducing Linda Murphey, our new Youth Literacy Program Director!
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Linda Murphey joined Literacy Together after 10 years of working as a classroom teacher and freelance writer and editor. For the last seven years, she lived and worked abroad as a teacher at international schools in Lebanon and Colombia. This immersion in other cultures and languages deepened her appreciation for foundational literacy skills. After relocating to Asheville last year, she volunteered at Literacy Together and quickly saw what an impactful and vibrant organization it is.
Linda cares deeply about early childhood education and literacy as a means for adolescent development. Literacy skills go beyond helping students pass tests – it changes lives, opens doors, provides a mirror for understanding experience, and leads to a life of independence and exploration. She is thrilled to join the Literacy Together team and support our volunteers, amazing interns, and local partners in developing literacy skills for Buncombe County scholars.
She is currently learning the art and practice of pottery and lives in the Asheville area with her husband, cat, and new puppy. She enjoys reading, cooking, practicing yoga, playing board games, and traveling.
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Meet Gigi Cambero, our new ESOL Associate!
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Being born and raised in Venezuela gave Gigi a different perspective when she left her country to live alone in Mexico City in 2019. There, she immersed herself in a different culture and, with time, was able to create a community that started to form around her. She heard stories and became friends with people of all ages and backgrounds, which was an important part of her development.
She moved to Asheville in 2022, to be reunited with her family, and that was when she heard of the ESOL program for the first time since her cousin and aunt had been part of the program and were able to not only communicate much better in an environment that felt distant, but get better opportunities because of it. Gigi believes that everyone should have the same opportunities, and learning English as an immigrant from any country can be the start of a more rewarding life.
Gigi's home life is all about community, cooking delicious food with her fiance, and spending time with friends and family. She also enjoys hiking, swimming in any body of water she can find, and traveling whenever she can.
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Authors for Literacy is sold out!
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Thanks to everyone who bought tickets! Please email LuAnn at LuAnn@lit-together.org to be put on the waitlist.
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Do you remember Ariella? She just passed the US Naturalization Exam and became a citizen. Congratulations!
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“I came to America in my 50s, and I could not read or write. I knew from a very young age that I have dyslexia. My mother tried to get me help, but was not able to because of the teachers/principals at the schools. What happened was when my Mother spoke to the principal about my dyslexia, she told my Mother she should not worry because I had a pretty face and I would get someone to look after me. I was 10 years old."
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April 21-27 is National Volunteer Week
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Literacy Together's 300 volunteer tutors are essential to what we do, and there are no words to express our appreciation. They truly embody Literacy Together's mission of transforming lives and communities through the power of literacy. Our volunteer tutors do much more than teach; they become friends, partners, and the most enthusiastic cheerleaders to their students. Thank you to all of our volunteers for your dedication and commitment! Your work is changing the world, one lesson at a time. THANK YOU!
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This month, we are celebrating the 1st anniversary of our workplace literacy initiative at Mills Manufacturing!
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Gracias - dyakuku - thank you to Pisgah Investments Foundation for believing in the power of literacy and investing in the potential of our English-language learners. Big things are happening for the 40 students who have participated!
6 students have earned promotions.
12 students have received employee recognition and spotlight awards.
18 students have earned pay increases.
As always, this would not have been possible without the support of our wonderful volunteer tutors. Thank you!
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April is Second Chance Month
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This time is devoted to recognizing the collateral consequences of a criminal record and advancing efforts to promote fairness and access to opportunity for people directly impacted by the criminal legal system.
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| Thanks, St. Mark's Lutheran Church!
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Thanks to the St. Mark's Lutheran Church community for helping raise funds for Literacy Together through a "Literacy for Lent" campaign. We appreciate you!
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| Have you gone to High Five Coffee yet?
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This is a friendly reminder that, from April 1 through June 30, High Five Coffee will raise money for Literacy Together! They'll offer their customers the opportunity to add a $5 donation to their order at the registers, with 100% of the proceeds going to us!
In addition to that donation, 10% of their branded merch sales over those three months will also go towards the total gift. We're SO honored and grateful!
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| Literacy Together on The Overlook Podcast
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Here are journalist Matt Peiken, Erin Sebelius (ESOL Program Director), Rebecca Massey (Adult Literacy Program Director), and Amanda Wrublewski (Literacy Together’s Executive Director) after recording an episode of The Overlook Podcast. We’ll let you know when it’s posted! Thank you, Matt, for having us and allowing us to discuss our literacy challenges in Buncombe County.
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| The Oakley's Block Party was fun!
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Thanks to our amazing volunteer Liz for taking Dolly, games, books, and her kindness! Contact Laura@lit-together.org if you want to volunteer with the Imagination Library!
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Dolly Parton's Imagination Library puts books into the hands and hearts of children worldwide. We're mailing a free book monthly to over 5,300 registered children in Buncombe County.
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55 people have attended our online volunteer orientation meetings in 2024 so far! We've modified the format of our online orientation meeting to be more inclusive. Everyone is welcome to join us, from prospective volunteer tutors to community members to local business owners and nonprofits wanting to learn more about Literacy Together's work. This is what one participant said after an orientation meeting this month:
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I had a pretty good idea about the relationship between literacy and poverty but didn't realize the numbers were that high.
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| Upcoming Online Orientation Meetings
Tuesday, May 7th, 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Thursday, May 9th, 10:00 am - 11:00 am
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| Your generosity provides literacy services to our neighbors of every age.
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