New Citizens Celebrated at Donor Event

President 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.

View entire Annual Report here.

DCLC Financial Data 2015–2016

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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

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Program Results

627         Students Served

33,941   Instructional Hours

183          Volunteers

11            GED Graduates

25            New Citizens

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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.

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2016 GED Graduates
Reach Milestone 

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.”

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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

View entire Annual Report here.

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

View entire Annual Report here.