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Authors for Literacy + Aran Shetterly + Corporate Sponsors Match!
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The 17th Annual Authors for Literacy fundraiser is this Thursday, April 30th. We are thrilled to welcome best-selling author of Hidden Figures, Margot Lee Shetterly. Tickets have SOLD OUT. Email development@lit-together.org to join the waitlist.
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| $30,000 Corporate Sponsorship Match Met
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Thank you to our presenting sponsor, Pisgah Investments, for their leadership in our community. In an effort to inspire more generosity with local businesses, Pisgah Investments established a matching gift challenge, doubling each gift made by a local business. We are thrilled to announce that 22 corporate sponsors signed on with Literacy Together, collectively raising $69,000. This support changes lives.
We are so grateful to Pisgah Investments for their leadership and to all of our sponsors for transforming lives in our community through literacy.
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| Aran Shetterly Presents MORNINGSIDE
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Did you know that Margot's husband, Aran, is also a writer and researcher? Our event partner, Malaprop's Bookstore & Cafe, presents an evening with Aran Shetterly on Wednesday, April 29 at 6 p.m. at its Haywood Street store. Aran, in conversation with Margot, will discuss his book, MORNINGSIDE: The 1979 Greensboro Massacre and the Struggle for an American City’s Soul. The event is free, but registration is required to reserve your seat.
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Literacy Leaders Summer Internship: Applications Are Open
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We are excited about the 2026 Literacy Leaders Internship! Applications are open until May 4. Do you know someone between the ages of 15 and 23 who wants to see a more just and equitable world? Working with students in our summer programs teaches leadership, phonics-based instruction, and civic engagement in our community.
Thank you to our new funder, Blue Cross Blue Shield of NC, for providing a grant to help fund stipends for these paid positions. Your support changes lives!
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Mastering English Is a Marathon, Not a Sprint
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Four years ago, Cristhian stepped off a plane in the mountains of western North Carolina and into a new life. Since then, he’s run hundreds of miles in the mornings before work at Pisgah Legal Services, where he helps Spanish-speaking clients seeking pro bono legal services. Each week after work, he heads to Literacy Together to meet with his tutor MaryPaul to work on his English pronunciation, writing, and preparation for the U.S. Naturalization Exam.
All that hard work is paying off. Cristhian recently completed his first marathon and he’s applying to graduate school in social work, hoping to advance his career as a bilingual professional helping others overcome the challenges before them.
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| Coming Soon to Your Little Free Library: The Book Fairy
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To share the love of stories with readers all over Buncombe County, our book fairy, AKA Carol Anne, picks up surplus books from our office and distributes them to little free libraries in neighborhoods across town.
While we no longer accept unsolicited book donations, we welcome gently used, high quality books appropriate for general readers, ages 3-13. Contact volunteers@lit-together.org to discuss a book donation.
Thank you, Carol Anne, and ALL of our volunteers for sprinkling your magic reading dust into our community!
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Volunteer Appreciation Week
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Literacy Together is a network of more than 350 volunteers, individuals who show up for at least two hours a week to support learning needs in our community. We are grateful to each and every one of you!
Last week, more than 45 individuals from Literacy Together's ESOL program attended the United Way volunteer appreciation Asheville Tourists baseball game. Tutors, students, staff, and their friends and family enjoyed a gorgeous night at the ballpark. Thank you, United Way!
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Champion Credit Union Teaches Financial Literacy to Our Interns
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Thank you to our friends at Champion Credit Union for stopping by a recent professional development workshop for our Literacy Leader interns. Interns had in-depth conversations around credit cards, in-person vs. online banking, fraud awareness, and budgeting. These young adults asked questions and got real advice as they began planning their futures. Thank you, Champion Credit Union, for your support!
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Celebrating Gigi — A TEFL Graduate!
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Shout out to Gigi, ESOL Associate, for earning her Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) Certification! Gigi was born and raised in Venezuela, moved to Asheville in 2022, and joined our staff in 2024. After more than 120 hours of coursework on topics including lesson planning and practical strategies for working with English learners at different levels, Gigi will now be able to share all her learning with our lucky tutors and students! Congratulations, Gigi, on this prodigious achievement!
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| Real-Life Tasks Motivate and Empower Students
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Calvin teaches our group ESOL class at Bounty & Soul in Swannanoa. This month he asked students to draw a map of downtown streets and label the buildings. Students then worked together to ask for and give directions from one location to the next. Real world examples are the best teaching tool!
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| Upcoming Online Orientation Meetings
Tuesday, May 5, at 6:00 pm
Friday, May 8, at 10:00 am
Tuesday, June 9, at 6:00 p.m.
Thursday, June 11, at 10 a.m.
We have urgent needs for tutors in our Adult Literacy Program and ESOL programs.
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"Tutoring is a shared experience that allows both of us to broaden our educational and cultural horizons." - ESOL tutor
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