Did you miss the 15th Annual Authors for Literacy Event?

We loved having New York Times bestselling author Lisa See join us for an evening of inspiring stories, laughter, and connection. This video highlights the most touching moments of the event. Thank you to Andy Crespo for this beautiful work. Enjoy!

Our programs are growing as we enter a new fiscal year, and we need more volunteers to support our students. Below, you'll find our greatest needs. Please share with your friends, family, and neighbors. We can accomplish so much together! THANKS 😊

Record year for ESOL + new initiative

In 2023-24 our adult ESOL program served 299 students, an all-time high and an 18% increase over last year. More important than increasing the number of students served, though, is the progress they demonstrated: we had 29% more students this year than last year showing the kind of progress that the US Department of Education recognizes.

Another all-time high for Literacy Together this past year was that 17 students passed the US Naturalization Exam and became citizens - including a family of three: a mother and two adult children. We also had students win asylum claims, get promotions at work, and navigate doctors’ appointments and parent-teacher conferences without needing interpreters. The keys to all this success, of course, are the 228 amazing volunteer tutors who so generously gave their time and effort to help our students reach their goals of becoming more independent and empowered to not just survive but thrive in the US.

Looking forward to the year ahead, we plan to increase the number of small-group adult ESOL classes we offer in the community. We’ll partner with schools, churches, and community centers in our students’ neighborhoods to offer instruction at times and in places that are convenient for students. We’ll need some new volunteers to teach these classes, as well as to offer one-on-one instruction to the 70+ prospective students currently on our waiting list.

If you’re not currently tutoring with us and would like to give it a try, contact Laura at laura@lit-together.org or register to attend an orientation meeting. We’d love to have you, and you’ll likely find that your life is as enriched by the experience as your student’s is!

"First Job Ballad," by Elaha, a graduated ESOL student

Elaha, a 19-year-old Afghan woman, arrived in the US in 2021 as a refugee. She and her relatives shared a small house provided by Catholic Charities. Soon after, she embarked on her ESOL journey with Martha, a volunteer tutor who not only taught her English but also became her friend, mentor, adopted family member, and greatest fan.

Elaha graduated from ESOL and is now taking curriculum courses at AB Tech. She plans to become a neurosurgeon! She wrote the poem "First Job Ballad," and we are sharing it with her permission. I hope it inspires you as much as it has inspired us! Ours is a country of immigrants, new beginnings, and dreams come true. Thank you, Elaha, for putting the experiences of so many into this beautiful poem!

Never been outside, never alone,
First job ever, without even a phone,
Waiting on people, “What did you say?”
They repeat and repeat, all through the day.

Today is Ramadan, no water, no food.
Not allowed either, affecting my mood.
From pouring coffee to perfecting service,
Filling to the brim is making me nervous.

Fasting, not feasting; wrapped head to toe,
Aroma of chocolate, still I had to say no.
Would people reject me and wonder aloud,
"What is she doing in this local crowd?"
As each person asks, “What did you say?”
Repeating, repeating, all through the day.

Pleased to discover much kindness shown,
With each passing day, success has grown.
In my nineteenth year, the first ever pay,
How powerful it felt to now have a say.
No need to repeat, for now, I am heard,
Laughing and joking, I know every word.

Succeeding in work, now given much praise,
How quickly a year has changed all the days.
Alive in America, a new world begins,
The horizon ahead shows nothing but wins.

I want to thank Literacy Together for all the good things they have done. They gave me the most valuable gift, my friend Martha. She is a gift of God and Literacy Together in my life, and I am very thankful to Erin, who matched Martha and me together. In this new journey of my life, Martha is like an angel who helps me and teaches me everything, not just English. I am very thankful. ~Elaha

This is the transformative power of our ESOL Program!

Join the adult literacy program in supporting incarcerated women and youth facing homelessness

Did you know that homelessness is one of the greatest threats to students and families in all of our programs? This summer, we attended a three-day series on homelessness sponsored by the City of Asheville's Community and Economic Development department and presented by Debbie Alford, a Homeless Strategy Specialist. To learn more about the roots of homelessness, you can read this article by Rebecca Massey, the Adult Literacy Program Director.

Recent reports indicate that Buncombe County has over 750 homeless students (here is the information shared by United Way of Asheville and Buncombe County). This fall, the Adult Literacy Program will partner with HARK to support high schoolers experiencing homelessness. We need volunteers who are willing to help them during this critical time.

We are also excited to launch a prison literacy initiative for incarcerated women at Western Correctional Center for Women (WCCW) later this fall. We know that 75 percent of incarcerated people have low literacy skills, and we are currently recruiting tutors to help the residents at WCCW develop the skills they need to improve their literacy skills and pass the high school equivalency exam.

We are also searching for volunteer tutors to support adults in our core program who are learning how to read and working towards achieving their high school equivalency diploma.

Become an adult literacy tutor

Friend-Raiser at Hi-Wire Brewing!

We can't wait to meet you at Hi-Wire Brewing, which will donate a percentage of its profits that night to Literacy Together (thank you!). We're looking forward to making new friends and winning some fun prizes 😉

Another fun-filled event for Dolly! Thank you to the Buncombe County Sheriff's Office for having us at the National Night Out at Owens Park, and thank you to our amazing volunteer, Liz, for always representing us in such a charming way 😍.

Dolly Parton's Imagination Library puts books into the hands and hearts of children worldwide. We're mailing a free book monthly to over 5,500 registered children in Buncombe County.

So far, 109 people have attended our online volunteer orientation meetings in 2024! We've modified the format 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.

Upcoming Online Orientation Meetings

Tuesday, September 10th, 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Thursday, September 12th, 10:00 am - 11:00 am

Your generosity provides literacy services to our neighbors of every age.

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