Literacy Council, Pathways PA, Community College
Join to Celebrate Delaware County GED Graduates

In Africa we have a saying,” Mussa Kromah told his fellow GED graduates. “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.”

Kromah, shown in above-right photo, was one of the featured speakers at a special collaborative GED Graduation Ceremony held at Delaware County Community College (DCCC) in June 2017. The ceremony honored nine adult students who earned their GED through the Delaware County Literacy Council (DCLC), ten graduates from DCCC’s GED program, and nineteen graduates from PathWays PA’s GED program.

Kromah also told his fellow graduates and their guests that he took the English portion of the GED test five times before passing it. “That taught me a good lesson: keep working. Keep working, and one day you will succeed!”

Other student speakers at the event were Leonard Johnson, Jr., of PathWays PA’s program and Ernest Gomer of DCCC’s program.

The keynote speaker for the ceremony was John Linder, former mayor of the City of Chester, DCLC board member, and DCCC adjunct professor (shown congratulating DCLC GED Graduate Allen Sterling in above-left photo).

Linder praised the graduates, telling them “Now you’re in the degree family. Now you have something you can use to participate in life, something you can use to compete.” He also said, “It’s clear sailing from here. It’s not necessarily smooth sailing, but it’s clear…. Don’t stop now. Go to the next level.”

View entire Annual Report here.

DCLC Financial Data 2016–2017

View entire Annual Report here.

Message from the Director

Dear Friends of the Literacy Council,

Looking back on our 2016-17 program year, it is exciting to see the many ways our supporters help build our community, in spirit and in structure. DCLC is a special place where people from all backgrounds and walks of life come together to create a community that empowers people to be the best versions of themselves. No matter what challenges and struggles our adult learners may be facing in their daily lives, DCLC is a safe and welcoming place.

While the country struggled to find a common path to bring our diverse citizenry together, inside our doors our diversity made us stronger. About a third of our students grew up in the United States, but the remaining majority of our students are from 51 other countries. Many of these students have either mastered English in our classes or have arrived from English-speaking countries and have joined our U.S.-educated students in reading or high school equivalency classes.

Within our classroom walls our students could discuss the changes in the American political landscape while feeling welcomed and supported by their teachers, tutors, and the many donors whose contributions keep the organization running. I am so grateful for the efforts and good intentions of the students, tutors, staff, and donors who create this refuge where all students are valued and supported.

Beyond the changing political climate, DCLC faced the challenge of maintaining our 250-year-old building. I frequently think of an Amish proverb that says “very few burdens are heavy if everyone lifts.” Though this wisdom could be applied to many things, this year it applied to our roof and building exterior.

After having an engineering firm assess our building we prioritized replacing our leaky, old roof. Given the size and age of the roof, the cost was something we asked that “everyone lift.” Through a combination of testimony to County Council (see sidebar at left) and increased donations for a matching grant, our supporters helped raise $150,000 for a new roof. The new roof should be in place by summer 2018.

Beyond fundraising for the roof, we also noticed the signage for our building was showing its age. Even our signature large blue awning couldn’t survive the weight of Winter Storm Stella (as shown below left). Luckily, Harrah’s stepped in with a $10,000 grant to help us get a new sign on our front lawn and generally spruce up the building (see back page).

I want to thank everyone who made a donation, shared their time, or listened to the experience of someone new. This open-hearted community has come together to create a home for our learners.

Thank you,

Kate McGeever

View entire Annual Report here.

Program Results

602         Students Served

33,685   Instructional Hours

186          Volunteers

9            GED Graduates

24            New Citizens

View entire Annual Report here.

Appreciating DCLC’s Volunteer Tutors with Pizza and Awards 

DCLC Student Benjamin Butler (shown below) praised his volunteer tutor Andrew Cogbill at the DCLC’s 2017 Volunteer Appreciation Pizza Party on April 25, 2017.

“Andrew doesn’t just teach me about education, he teaches me about life.
He’s full of wisdom, very humble, and also modest about the impact he has on people’s lives,” Butler explained.

Held at the Helen Kate Furness Library in Wallingford, the party included games, refreshments, and awards—all meant to shine a spotlight on the dedicated work of DCLC’s volunteers, who tutor adults in either basic literacy or English as a Second Language (ESL).

Photos courtesy of Evgeny Verivski

Volunteer Tutor Lisa Brinkman (shown above at left) received the Helen B. Simyak Tutor of the Year Award, presented to her by Adult Education Coordinator Karen Hamilton.

View entire Annual Report here.

Community Rallies
in Support of New Roof

When DCLC put out the call for help in funding a new roof, supporters took decisive action.

Some attended hearings or sent messages to Delaware County Council in support of DCLC’s application for a Community Development Block Grant. Here is a sampling:

“No organization I’ve met is more efficient at utilizing resources for public good than DCLC.”
—Peter Stroup, Tutor and Donor

“I can say, without reservation, that they do remarkable work with minimal resources and are able to literally change peoples’ and families’ lives.”
—Maria Strauman, Volunteer and Donor

“I firmly believe their work in the community is vital toward helping individuals and their families advance in their literacy goals.”
—Charlyene C. Pinckney, Ed.D., Tutor

Thanks to this support, DCLC was approved for a $100,000 Community Development Grant from Delaware County Council, and a $5,000 Community Grant from the City of Chester.

Many donors also took action by increasing their donations to help DCLC receive a $20,000 matching grant from the McClean Contributionship.

As a result of the strength and caring of the local community, DCLC’s adult learners can look forward to a sturdy roof over their heads in the years to come.

View entire Annual Report here.

Gifts in Honor of

Florence Appel
Steven Arnold and
Reisa Mukamal

Alpha Delta Kappa,
Upsilon Chapter
Hollie Citerone

Naomi Bailey
Wendella Ricker

Madeline Bialecki
Tatiana Moskatova

Frances Bloom
Kristin, Casey, Cicely
and Erin Clark

Cristian Lloyd Carew
Ann K. Seidman

Sheri Carney
Steven Arnold and
Reisa Mukamal

Andrew Cogbill
Ilene D. Lieberman

Delaware County
Literacy Council
Shirley B. Birenbaum

Karen Hamilton
Patricia R. Gaul

Immigrants
Terrance and Shonette
Harrison Carew

Immigrants, English Language Learners, Adult Learners, and People with Special Needs
Amanda Lange

Kai Park
Anne Iskrant

Patricia Paul
Richard Paul

Linda Ramsey
Wendy J. Bracaglia

Marie Reich
Carol Reich

Elizabeth Rossman
Melinda Clemmer

Charles Zech
Pat Rizzo

View entire Annual Report here.

Gifts in Memory of

James Bajorek
Carol Lingle
Kenneth and Debra Margolis

Anthony Blagman
Ronald Blagman

Rudolph Bloom, Jr.
Frances Bloom

Richard Burns
Judith Burns

Ruth Farling
Judy Farling

Lloyd Harrison II
Terrance and Shonette
Harrison Carew

Rachel McGeever
Patrick McGeever

Pat Miele
Barbara Logan

Howard Moyer
Frances Moyer

Joan Pilson
Frank Pilson

Marie Pinnie
Mark and Sidney Pinnie

Deborah Preg
John and Margaret Preg
Neal Rightley
Mary Jane C. Sturgis

Renee Ross
Lisa Smulyan
Brenda Wilson

Elizabeth S. Walsh
Gretchen Gill
Erika Kavanagh-Stein
Anne C. Wall
Jennifer Wall

Gerald J. Ward
Gerald J. Ward Trust

View entire Annual Report here.