i m pac t r e p o r t 2016
EVERYONE CAN REACH
T H E I R F U L L P OT E N T I A L In today’s complex world, literacy is about using printed and written information to function in society, achieve one’s goals and develop one’s knowledge and potential. With this notion at the core of our mission, we believe everyone can gain the skills they need to reach their full potential. To make this happen, we must all have sufficient literacy skills to: • • • • •
Understand medical instructions, Use a computer, Have a solid command of the English language, Navigate the transit and workforce systems and Help prepare our kids for school.
Our programs are innovatively designed to be embedded in the business, healthcare and nonprofit sectors, with the sole goal of meeting the needs of clients and families where they already go to work, receive support services or seek care.
A message
from the chief executive officer Dear friends, We are living in rapidly changing times, making the work of the Literacy Coalition of Central Texas more and more important every day.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS Kimberly Davis, Chair Charles Schwab Ian Burk, Vice Chair Community Volunteer Michael Mackert, Secretary University of Texas at Austin Alan Mayer, Treasurer Dell Michael Simons, Immediate Past Chair Vinson & Elkins
The last three years brought a significant increase in the breadth and scope of our services. First, we merged with two Coalition Partners: the Ascend Center for Learning and English @ Work. Second, we started a bilingual parenting program. And last, we added a workforce development component to our collaborative, capacity-building programs across 12 partner sites.
Rajiv Bala S3 Ventures
We are excited to embark on a journey which will result in our 2017-2020 Strategic Plan. Given the current landscape in the adult education and family literacy sectors, we are embracing a new national industry standard which integrates literacy with occupation-specific workforce preparation and training.
Nancy Nicolas Travis County District Attorney’s Office
This approach is important because it helps our clients break barriers to literacy, math, language competency, or credentialing programs, all of which keep our clients from accessing a living wage job. Nearly all of our clients are living at or below 200 percent of the Federal Poverty Income Level, meaning the household income for a family of three is about $3,400 a month. With our complementary programs and our tight network of literacy providers and business partners, we are well positioned to help our community reach the ambitious goal of filling 64,000 middle-skilled jobs in the next four years. We look forward to continuing to share our progress on this in the year ahead. Thank you for your ongoing commitment to helping Central Texans reach their full potential. With gratitude,
Jacqueline Bergen FINCA International Sally Clark-Raphael Community Volunteer Elizabeth Danon-Leva Business Consultant Bryan Lauer Scott Douglass & McConnico Monica Fernandes Texas Capital Bank
Lynn Nolen Nolen & Associates Jim Skelding Community Volunteer Maya Smart Community Volunteer Marcus Strenk Microsoft Jonathan Engel Emeritus Retta Van Auken Founder, Emeritus
LEADERSHIP TEAM Meg Poag, MSSW Chief Executive Officer Ivan Dávila, MBA Director of Development and Communication Justin DeBrosse, MA Director of Instructional Quality Katherine Keegan, MSSW Director of Service Programs Selena Muñoz, MPA Director of Adult Education Blanca Quiroz, PhD Director of Early Literacy
Meg Poag Chief Executive Officer
Teresa Wagner, DrPH, MS, CPH, LD/RD Director of Health Literacy
STRENGTHENING Today’s Workforce through
adult education and workforce development
2,248
COMMUNITY SERVICE FOR SUCCESS
ADULTS RECEIVED LITERACY SERVICES IN CENTRAL TEXAS & HOUSTON 51% demonstrated learning gains in : reading mathematics computation applied mathematics language english language proficiency
773 ADULTS RECEIVED WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT IN CENTRAL TEXAS 13% had a job gain through : a compensation increase an enhanced work schedule an increase in hours worked
Thirty-six million adults in the United States lack basic work skills like literacy, numeracy and problem-solving.1 In the Austin area alone, the demand for middle and high-skilled workers continues to outpace the supply. There are approximately 90,000 workingage adults in the Austin area who have no higher education, college or career training and cannot access middle-skill jobs.2 Like many of these adults in Central Texas, Jerry knew if he wanted to be successful at work, he would need to improve his literacy skills. The Literacy Coalition’s Collaborative AmeriCorps Service Programs provide early-literacy to preschool-age children and literacy, English as a Second Language and job readiness instruction to low-income adult learners, like Jerry, at over a dozen Coalition Partner sites in Central Texas and Houston. “After learning how to send and receive emails, I learned how to use Excel,” Jerry said. “I came to understand that in order to succeed in today’s job market, digital literacy skills are required. The best part about all this is that I can now put my new skills to work!” Additionally, the organization recruits and places 26 AmeriCorps VISTA members to build capacity across 19 organizations. 1 2
Organization for Cooperation and Development/US Department of Education Austin/Travis County Workforce Continuum
LEARNERS AT work Lack of English proficiency is the biggest factor preventing immigrants in the United States from qualifying for sustainably paying jobs. The Literacy Coalition’s English @ Work program provides methods that break the barriers preventing immigrants from accessing instruction, meeting both employers’ and employees’ needs by customizing lessons specific to each work environment. Enrique, a clothing designer by trade, began working at Ace Tailors after he moved from Mexico City to Austin—not long ago. The program helps students like Enrique navigate complex systems in the United States. “I am fortunate Ace Tailors partners with the Literacy Coalition to provide free English classes to employees,” said Enrique in his native language. “Since I started taking their classes, I’ve been able to communicate with my supervisor, and I feel more comfortable when I go buy groceries.”
learning IS A LIFELONG JOURNEY Ninety-three million Americans with low literacy skills are unprepared to enroll in the postsecondary education or job-training programs they need to enter the workforce.1 The Literacy Coalition’s Learning Center offers personalized one-on-one tutoring and wrap-around social services for individuals at or below the ninth grade level who are planning on entering the workforce for the first time or re-entering after some time off. Now a student in the Career Pathways Program at Austin Community College, Carl, a recent Learning Center graduate, feels confident about rejoining the workforce once he completes the program in May. “When I finished the job readiness program at the Literacy Coalition’s Learning Center, I felt accomplished,” Carl said. “The volunteers and staff were there every step of the way, helping me with my resume and cover letter, and providing me with job and community resources.” National Center on Education Statistics, National Assessment of Adult Literacy, (NAAL, 2003), U.S. Department of Education, 2005 1
ENGLISH @ WORK 228 PARTICIPANTS
LEARNING CENTER 100 PARTICIPANTS
76%
increased ability to understand english
80% DEMOGRAPHICS
had no high school diploma
26 countries 20 different languages at or below a 9 th 55% have grade education
LEARNING GAINS
increased ability to speak
participated in job readiness
47%
had a job placement
35% received their certificate of high school equivalency 73%
34%
PREPARING THE NEXT GENERATION OF
Young Leaders
through EARLY-LITERACY & PARENTING EDUCATION
PALS PARENTING PROGRAM 208 FAMILIES 91% completed the program
education truly begins at home By the time a child in a low-income family turns four, he or she will have heard two words for every seven that a child in a higher-income family has heard. The Literacy Coalition’s bilingual parenting program, modeled after the University of Texas Health Science Center Children’s Learning Institute’s Play and Learning Strategies© curriculum, is specifically designed to address this inter-generational achievement gap. The program builds the language and thinking skills of children 18 months to four years of age to ensure they are well prepared for kindergarten. The group session, one-on-one coaching and reflections are specifically designed to help parents learn how to be their child’s best teacher. “Before this program, I didn’t know that my child could communicate with me,” Rosalva said. “She did not talk very much, but now I know that my daughter is communicating with me. I read her signals, and I know I need to always respond, talk and listen to her—even when I’m busy—so we can have a better relationship.”
82% of children demonstrated an increase in : quality and quantity of language use responsiveness to socio - emotional support responsiveness to language and cognitive demands parent - child engagement
Rosalva states she has learned to be more patient. Through the program, she has now collected a variety of strategies that help her be her child’s best teacher. “Now I know my daughter listens to me more if I get down to her level and speak softly,” Rosalva said. “I feel like I’m becoming a better mom because now we both have fun together. I especially love it when she says, ‘mommy is fun’ and ‘I love my mommy!’”
BUILDING
Stronger Communities
through CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT & TRAINING FOR ADULT EDUCATORS & HEALTH PROFESSIONALS
inspiring students to move forward The demand for high-quality adult literacy instruction far outpaces the supply. Nationally, only four percent of the adult English as a Second Language population is served by state and federal programs. People in need of literacy services rely on community programs. And community literacy programs often lack the resources to provide their volunteer instructors with high-quality training opportunities. The result: less-than-optimal student outcomes.
ENGLISH FORWARD 342 INSTRUCTORS TRAINED IN CENTRAL TEXAS AND THROUGHOUT THE UNITED STATES
66% enhanced their teaching practices
The Literacy Coalition’s English Forward program provides comprehensive, highquality and consistent training, curricula and classroom materials at zero cost to local community literacy providers. After graduating college, Izamar knew she wanted to enter the adult education field, but did not know where to start until she joined the Literacy Coalition’s English @ Work program as an AmeriCorps service member. She was then given access to all the resources the Literacy Coalition provides to its partners, including English Forward. “Aside from all the training I’ve received, English Forward gave me access to webinars, teaching tips, more than 80 lesson plans, other classroom materials, and an instructor guide--all found in their web portal,” Izamar said. “I can also count on their network of instructors if presented with a challenge in my lesson or classroom.”
44% were trained by our master trainers
56% were trained by individuals we trained
HEALTH LITERACY 188 HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS TRAINED
keeping austin healthy Today’s health information is presented in a way most people can’t understand. The American Medical Association estimates that nearly four million Texans lack sufficient health literacy to effectively understand and execute needed medical treatments and preventive healthcare. The Literacy Coalition provides services for healthcare providers, organizations and individuals who want to promote health literacy in Texas. Most recently, Austin Travis County Integral Care received guidance from our health literacy program. “Communicating in a health literate way helps our community understand what we do and helps connect people to quality behavioral health services,” said Anne Nagelkirk, director of communications and engagement at Integral Care. “Since we sought advice from the Literacy Coalition, the response we have gotten from our staff and the community about our communication tools has been overwhelmingly positive.”
80% of participants felt prepared to enhance their organization ’ s health literacy practices
REVENUE
$2,410,447 PHILANTHROPIC SUPPORT GOVERNMENT CONTRACTS EARNED INCOME OTHER REVENUE
$ 534,006 $ 1,548,924 $ 320,071 $ 7,445 $ 2,410,447 *
EXPENSES
$2,402,786 AMERICORPS SERVICE PROGRAMS ENGLISH @ WORK
$ 1,094,023 $ 252,568
LEARNING CENTER
$ 371,561
PALS PARENTING PROGRAM
$ 259,125
ENGLISH FORWARD
$ 101,328
HEALTH LITERACY
$ 45,206
PUBLIC AWARENESS / PARTNERSHIP ACTIVITIES
$ 35,687
GENERAL & ADMIN DEVELOPMENT * Financials represent trial actuals on an accrual basis. For audited financial information, please refer to our most recently filed 990 Form.
$ 147,220 $ 96,068
$ 2,402,786 *
t h a n k yo u LEAD FUNDERS
KLE FOUNDATION
PUBLIC FUNDERS
MAJOR DONORS Half Price Books, Records,
Andy Pray
$10,000-$49,999
$1,000-$4,999
Dell, Inc.
Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP
H-E-B Grocery Company, LP
Scott Austin
Kirkus Reviews
Jim Skelding and Tracy Holland
IBM Corporation
Austin Pi Beta Phi Foundation
Bryan Lauer
Marcus and Kimberly Strenk
Seawell Elam Foundation
Rajiv and Krupa Bala
Elizabeth Danon-Leva and
Texas Capital Bank
Shield-Ayres Foundation
Todd and Angie Blackmon
Still Water Foundation
Broadway Bank, Austin Division
Catherine and Clay Levit
Topfer Family Foundation
Ian and Leah Burk
McGuire Moorman Hospitality Paula Vaughan
Calendar Holdings, LLC
Michelle Meaux
Jason Yau
Sally Clark-Raphael and Steve
Microsoft Corporation
Zulu Nyala Safari Game Lodge
$5,000-$9,999 Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. Donald D. Hammill Foundation Maya Payne Smart and Shaka Smart St. David’s Foundation Yelp Foundation
Raphael
Magazines, Inc.
Carey S. Leva
Don and Jeanie Murff
Kimberly and Ryan Davis
Tanuj and Nidhi Nakra
Justin DeBrosse
Nancy and Emilio Nicolas
ELM Restaurant Group
Lynn Nolen and Tom Wilkinson
Michael Simons
Retta Van Auken and Robert Schultz
OUR COALITION
partner network Part of what makes us unique is the way we embed our programs across the business, healthcare and nonprofit sectors. We are the needle threading services together for the betterment of our clients, with one common goal in mind—to build stronger communities by ensuring families and individuals can gain the skills they need to reach their full potential. Last year alone, we embedded our programs across 134 organizations all throughout the United States.
TYPE OF PARTNERS 3%
9%
12%
In addition to meeting the needs of clients and families where they already go to work, receive support services, or seek care through our collaborative, capacity-building and qualityenhancing programs, we bring local partners together to identify service gaps, address issues and improve systems along the continuum of literacy services in Central Texas. Along these lines, every two months, we host informational sessions, dialogues and professional development events for our partners. Through feedback surveys and an annual partner meeting, our partners guide the strategic direction of our partnership activities.
17%
92%
BUSINESS EDUCATION
DIALOGUES AND INFO SESSIONS IN 2016:
NONPROFIT
• • • • •
PUBLIC
Quality of Instructional Delivery Critical Gaps in the Service Continuum Public Awareness and Public Relations Childcare Transportation
RELIGIOUS
CURRENT PARTNERSHIPS LEARNING CENTER
ENGLISH @ WORK
PALS PARENTING PROGRAM
AMERICORPS SERVICE PROGRAMS
HEALTH LITERACY
ENGLISH FORWARD
= 10 PARTNERS
TOGETHER
WE BUILD STRONGER COMMUNITIES C E N T RA L T E X A S
Ace Tailors American Youthworks Anderson Mill Church ESL Program Any Baby Can ARYZTA Austin Achieve Public Schools Austin Career Institute Austin Community College Austin Free-Net Austin Independent School District Austin Travis County Integral Care AVANCE Austin Blackland Community Development Corporation Bookspring Caritas of Austin Casa Marianella Central Health City of Austin Communitites in Schools: ASPIRE Community Action, Inc. Hays County CommUnity Care Dell Medical School Dynamic Manufacturing Solutions El Buen Samaritano El Milagro Explore Austin Faith United Methodist Church
Family Eldercare Financial Literacy Coalition of Central Texas Foundation Communities Four Seasons GirlForward Goodwill Central Texas Greater Texas Landscapes HEB Hotel Van Zandt Illumitex Interfaith Action of Central Texas International Friends at Riverbend (ESL) It’s Time Texas Katherine Anne Porter School Kids in a New Groove Latino Healthcare Forum Leander Independent School District LifeWorks Little Folks Childcare Mainspring Schools Manos De Cristo Meals on Wheels Oldcastle (APAC Texas) Omni Downtown Omni Southpark Open Door Preschool People’s Community Clinic
STAT E W I D E
Adult Reading Center Houston Center for Literacy Alliance for Multicultural Community Services Huguley/Texas Health Resources Alzheimer’s Association of North Texas Humanitarian Hands Charities Association for the Advancement of Mexican Americans John Peter Smith Health System AVANCE Houston La Raza United Chinese Community Center Literacy San Antonio/SAReads College of the Mainland Memorial Assistance Ministries Corpus Christi Literacy Council One Powerful Movement Each One Teach One San Antonio Open Door Mission Eastside University Village Community Learning Center Prestige Learning Institute
Professional Janitorial Services Querencia Refugee Services of Texas Round Rock Independent School District Seton Healthcare Sí Se Puede Southwest Key St. David’s Foundation TDIndustries TECO Westinghouse Texas Association of Community Health Centers Texas Department of State Health Services Texas Hospital Association Texas Medical Foundation Health Quality Institute Texas Workforce Commission The SEED Trinity Child Development Center United Way for Greater Austin Westminster Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Workers Defense Project Workforce Solutions Capital Area
Restore Education Sharing Life Community Outreach Somali Bantu Community of Greater Houston South Texas College South Texas Literacy Coalition Victoria Business & Education Coalition West Houston Assistance Ministries YWCA El Paso
N AT I O N A L Adult Literacy Movement of Albuquerque Alameda County Libraries Arkansas Literacy Councils Aurora Community Connection Central Wisconsin Literacy Council Clark County Literacy Council Eastern Arkansas Literacy Project English Skills Learning Center Learning Quest Literacy Action of Central Arkansas Literacy Council of Lancaster-Lebanon Literacy Council of North Central Arkansas
Literacy Council of Reading-Berks Literacy Council of Sarasota Literacy Council of White County Literacy For All Literacy League of Craighead County Literacy Mid-South Literacy Outreach Literacy Volunteers of Maricopa County Literacy West Virginia Lutheran Services in Iowa Refugee Community Services Oklahoma Department of Career and
Technology Polytech Adult Education Racine Literacy Council Sheboygan Literacy Council Twin Lakes Literacy Council Winnebago County Literacy Council Wisconsin Literacy, Inc. The Literacy Coalition is proud to operate AmeriCorps Texas and AmeriCorps VISTA programs.
EXPLORE OUR INTERACTIVE MAP OF PARTNERS: WILLREAD.ORG/PARTNERS
Our M i s s i o n
to improve the quality and increase the availability of literacy services for Central Texans
Our V i s i o n
a community that is 100 percent literate, employable and engaged
C o n n e c t w i t h u s willread.org
@LITERACYCO
LITERACY COALITION OF CENTRAL TEXAS | 1640B EAST 2ND, SUITE 100 | AUSTIN, TX 78702 | 512.326.8655