ANNUAL REPORT2
01
7
ROBERT LIBUTTI, President Retired, UGI Energy Services
JASON BRUDERECK, Vice President Director of Communications Berks County Community Foundation
TERRY GRASSLEY, Treasurer SVP & Director of Administration, PA & NJ Customers Bank
EMILY L. HERSHEY, Secretary Secondary Teacher, Wilson School District
MEGAN ADUKAITIS Director of Career Development Alvernia University
BRIDGET CAMBRIA, ESQ. Partner – Attorney at Law, Cambria & Kline, PC
JAMES ELLIKER Doctoral Candidate in Leadership Studies Alvernia University
DR. ROULA ELLIKER Gifted Support Teacher Muhlenberg School District
JACQUELYN M. KLINE, ESQ. Partner – Attorney at Law Cambria & Kline, PC
DR. ARLENE OTIS Retired, Berks County Intermediate Unit
SONYA SMITH Assistant Director, Grants & Sponsored Projects, Kutztown University
PAT SNYDER Office Manager C. Malcolm Smith, CPA
DENISE STROHMAYR Assistant Professor, RACC
JIM WOOD VP Sales, Penske Truck Leasing
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF
Ryan A. Breisch, Executive Director
Laurie Dawkins, Associate Director
Beverly Hirneisen, Case Manager
Cathy Martin, Volunteer Coordinator
Robert Rio, Evening Desk Person
Wendy Rio, Data Entry Coordinator
Lillian Svenson, Administrative Assistant
INSTRUCTIONAL STAFF
Donald Bickel
Beth Ann Crippen
Susan Fineman
Jennifer Thompson
Patricia Rittenhouse
Pamela Sonon
Ramona Turpin
Kimberly Zientek
35 South Dwight Street West Lawn, PA 19609P: 610.670.9960 F: 610.927.4876 [email protected] www.lcrb.org
Dear Friends,
As we close the book on 2017 and look forward to 2018, our 50th anniversary year, I am reminded of how far our organization has come. 2017 was full of change and progress. We welcomed new Board members, renovated classroom space, created a brand-new strategic plan to guide us over the next three years, and have been building partnerships that will have a lasting and positive impact for Berks County residents.
We’re proud to be working with a wide range of dedicated, caring individuals and organizations. From government to the faith community, there’s a genuine groundswell and focus on seeing an improvement to adult literacy here in Berks County.
In 2017, our English Forward program helped provide English-language classes to over 350 adults in 17 different community-based classes. In total, we helped over 670 adults complete over 23,000 learning hours in our literacy programs last year.
Our success is the community’s success. With the ongoing support of our donors, partners, Board and volunteers, the Literacy Council is ready for the challenges and achievements ahead in our 50th year of service to Berks County! Thank you for helping us make an impact in our community.
A MESSAGE FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
MISSION
The mission of the Literacy Council of Reading-Berks is to help people better communicate, collaborate and contribute to their workplace and community.
VISION
To eradicate illiteracy in Berks County by teaching people the vital reading, writing, speaking, listening and language skills needed to improve their quality of life and enable more productive employment and community citizenship.
VALUES AND GOALS
Respect for all
Empower volunteers and staff to provide quality services
Provide a spectrum of literacy services
Develop curricula to respond to the changing literacy needs of the community
Implement innovative technology and techniques
Network to identify resources and partnerships
Guide all participants in achieving their goalsRyan A. Breisch
Executive Director1HEP – High School Equivalency Program
One-on-One Tutoring 94 students / 5,796 hours of tutoring
ESL Classes 336 students / 11,969 hours of class
HEP1 Classes 204 students / 5,095 hours of class
Citizenship Preparation Classes 32 students / 389 hours of class
Tutor Volunteers 60 / 4,443 volunteer hours
Non-tutor Volunteers 15 / 849 volunteer hours
WE PROVIDED THE FOLLOWING SERVICES FINANCIAL REPORT
REVENUE: $485,250.71
Federal, State and United Way Grants:
$338,228.89
Fee-for-Service Programs:
$14,086.76
Contributions, Gifts, Foundations: $111,815.77
Fundraising [Special Events]:
$21,119.29
500,000
400,000
300,000
200,000
100,000
0
500,000
400,000
300,000
200,000
100,000
0
EXPENSES: $411,232.96
Literacy Program Services:
$306,954.18
Management and General:
$91,888.31
Fundraising: $12,390.47
THE LITERACY COUNCIL BY THE NUMBERS
After I dropped out of high school in 12th grade, I
started working for a local restaurant in Robesonia,
not knowing what I was going to do with the rest of
my life. After a few years, I quit my job and enrolled
in a GED class at RACC. While I attended RACC,
Ramona Turpin from the Literacy Council came to
recruit for the Workforce Development Program.
I was intrigued and enrolled!
The class taught me how to communicate with
co-workers and supervisors, understand workplace
culture, be safe in the work environment, work in
teams and problem solve. It was a great refresher
of some things I already knew. Part of the course
involved job shadowing and mentoring. I was
fortunate to do my shadowing at the DoubleTree
by Hilton in Reading.
After graduating from the WDP, I was offered a
full-time job at the DoubleTree, and then was offered the
position of front desk supervisor. After I started working at
the DoubleTree, we won The Connie Award, the highest hotel
award for all brands across Hilton Worldwide. I recently went
to Washington D.C. and completed Hilton Hotel’s Front Office
Academy. The Literacy Council’s Workforce Development
Program has been a blessing to me, as my passion has always
been working in the hospitality field. Now I get to do what I
love every day!
RA
ND
ALL
GAHRES
Eight years ago, I was living on my own in Delaware after my mother was forced to return
to the Dominican Republic. I met a man and became pregnant with my daughter, Gianna.
A few years later, when I was pregnant again, the man left me. I trusted the wrong person,
who didn’t care what happened to me.
Since I could not afford a place
to live, I went to a shelter for
homeless women. There wasn’t
enough space for me there, but I eventually connected with Mary’s Shelter in Reading, where
I was welcomed in November 2014. My son, Josiah, was born in March 2015, and I stayed
at Mary’s Shelter until they helped me get an apartment and provide support for my children
and me.
That’s when I started taking classes at RACC. I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do with my life,
but one day, I noticed a sign for the Community Health Worker Program, instructed
by the Literacy Council and sponsored by Penn State Health St. Joseph and the East Central
Pennsylvania Area Health Education Center. Something about the program appealed to me,
so I called to find out how I could sign up.
Thrilled with the opportunity, I attended every class, learning about topics such as chronic
diseases, behavioral health, tobacco cessation, health care access, first aid and CPR training.
I knew this class was where I needed to be. I knew that once I finished the course, I would be
able to give back to the community that gave me so much.
Thanks to the Community Health Worker class, I am currently working at Safe Berks as a
hotline intake worker. Because of my experience in Mary’s Shelter, I can empathize with the
clients. Little did I know that all the difficulties I experienced would lead me to help others.
AHELY ESPINOZA
The Connie Award, the highest hotel award for all brands across Hilton Worldwide.
FOUNDATIONSDollar General Literacy FoundationCatherine V. & Martin W. Hofmann FoundationHolleran Donor-Advised Fund of Berks Co. Community FoundationHenry Janssen FoundationShillington Lions Club FoundationJohn Wilson Smith Family FundWells Fargo Foundation
BENEFACTORS, PATRONS, SPONSORS, SUBSCRIBERS & CONTRIBUTORSBENEFACTORS ($1,000+)Customers BankFidelity Charitable In memory of Mr. John Smith IIIMrs. Elizabeth C. Wolfe
PATRONS ($500 – $999)Alsace Lutheran ChurchDr. & Mrs. Stephen CarlsonMr. & Mrs. James EllikerMr. Charles A. Gerhart & Ruth A. HinesMr. Mike Gibbs – UGI Energy ServicesMr. & Mrs. Ronald J. HunsickerMr. Steven S. KeiserMr. & Mrs. Kevin J. OchsPenske Truck Leasing CompanySt. Mark’s Evangelical Lutheran ChurchDr. & Mrs. David E. Texter
Megan Adukaitis
Kendra Bailey
Linda Beck
Angela Blum
Diane Bostelle
Gerri Brenner
Jason Brudereck
Bridget Cambria
Stephen Carlson
Janet Clemmer
Michael Collins
Vanessa Culbertson
Phyllis Dessel
Helen Didyoung
Erika Dominguez
James Elliker
Roula Elliker
Kenneth Emkey
Sandie Evans
Michele Foreman
Brian Forsyth
Christine Galanti
Bernice Gehman
Barbara Geisler
Charlie Gerhart
John Goldstan
Matthew Goldstan
Debra Goodman
Nancy Graff
Terry Grassley
Ann Greenstein
Joan Halabura
Emily Hershey
Christa Hirneisen
Cathy Hubis
Ronald Hunsicker
Matthew Johnson
Robert Jones
Cynthia Kadel
Margaret Keltz
Jacqueline Kline
Lily Kober
Kathy Landis
Phil Lehman
Robert J. Libutti
Freddie Martin
Bob McMechan
Judy McMechan
Susan Miller
Beverly Myers
Mary Namiotka
Arlene Otis
Eva Plichta
Danette Posey
Thomas Powell
Danielle Pritz
Lisa Randow
Jane Reitz
Susan Renda
Roger Schein
Dell Scherneck
Patricia Schuettler
Christine Seghetti
Diane Shalter
Tim Shores
John Small
Sonya Smith
Patricia Snyder
Judy Speicher
Joanne Stamm
Denise Strohmayr
Sylvia Summers
William Thompson, Jr.
James Wood
Ruth Ann Yehl
Patricia Yoder
RECOGNITION OF OUR WONDERFUL VOLUNTEERS
SPONSORS ($250 – $499)Mr. & Mrs. Chris Aarons In memory of Theodore Z. AaronsBerks Technical Institute In memory of Phil BarbersEast Penn Manufacturing CompanyMr. Shawn Filby - Chick-fil-A ExeterMr. & Mrs. Robert J. LibuttiQuadrant EPP USA, Inc.St. John’s Lutheran ChurchJuan Garcia-VazquezMr. James T. WoodMr. & Mrs. Richard Zuidema
SUBSCRIBERS ($100 – $249)Ms. Lisa AdamsMrs. Megan AdukaitisMr. & Ms. Earl AndrewsMs. Harriet M. BaskinMr. Garland J. BearMr. & Mrs. Jeffrey A. BehmMr. & Mrs. Donald J. BickelMr. & Mrs. Harold W. BreischMr. & Mrs. Jason Brudereck In memory of William C. BrudereckMs. Bridget CambriaMs. Janet C. Clemmer In memory of Theodore Z. AaronsConnors Investor Services, Inc.H. Anderson EllsworthMr. & Mrs. John DeMartinoMs. Renee’ L. Dietrich In memory of Karen GoodDr. Connie Gallen - Northeast DentistryMs. Hildegarde GernsheimerMr. & Mrs. Jacob A. Gicker, Jr. In memory of Theodore Z. AaronsMr. Matthew GoldstanMr. & Mrs. Terry D. GrassleyDr. Ann T. GundryHartman, Valeriano, Magovern, & LutzMr. John D. HerringMs. Michelle L. JacobsMs. Georgianne JonesKautter & Kelley Architects, Inc.Mrs. Nancy J. KnoblachMr. & Mrs. Robert F. LefkowithMs. Hong Lin Mr. & Mrs. Robert E. McMechanMr. & Mrs. John G. Meharg, Jr.
Dr. C. Susan MunchDr. Arlene C. OtisAtty. Scott C. PainterMr. & Mrs. Henry A. PetersMr. Alfred W. PettitMr. & Mrs. Randall B. RentschlerMr. & Mrs. David RohrbachMrs. Jean A. Smith In memory of John W. SmithMrs. Patricia A. SnyderMs. Eugenia SowitzMs. Denise StrohmayrMr. & Mrs. David J. SvensonMs. Elizabeth A. TaylorMr. & Mrs. Ronald L. Tinderman In memory of Mr. Kenneth TindermanMr. & Mrs. Carl E. Trettin In memory of Theodore Z. AaronsVanity Fair OutletMs. Sharon VaughnMr. & Mrs. Clarence F. WrobelMr. Edward YanowskiMr. & Mrs. Stratton P. YatronMr. & Mrs. Aaron N. Zellers
CONTRIBUTORS ($25 – $99)AnonymousMr. & Mrs. Matthew E. BarnhartMr. & Mrs. Donald J. Bickel In memory of Theodore Z. AaronsMs. Irene C. BlattMr. & Mrs. Mark J. Braun Ms. Rachel G. BurketMrs. Patricia J. BuzzardMr. & Mrs. Daniel A. CascianoMs. Lillian ChinniciMs. Helen K. ClogstonMr. Thomas E. ConnorMr. & Mrs. Clair L. Derr, Jr. Mrs. Cassandra EvansMr. & Mrs. Thomas EvansDr. & Mrs. Marc FilsteinMs. Sara S. FlowersMr. & Mrs. John GajewskiMs. Bernice G. GehmanMr. & Mrs. John GoldstanMs. Karen H. GoodMrs. Linda R. GraceMr. Dennis L. HeimbachMr. & Mrs. Scott HirneisenMr. & Mrs. Paul HohMr. Christopher HunsickerMr. William HunsickerMs. Katarzyna JaniszewskiMr. & Mrs. Michael KastenbaumMr. & Mrs. Richard T. KimballMs. Mary B. KreiderMrs. Carole A. Kutscher Dr. & Mrs. Elliott LeisawitzMs. Maria Longo Mr. & Mrs. John C. Lupco, Jr. In memory of Theodore Z. Aarons
Dr. & Mrs. Gerald P. MalickMr. & Mrs. Francis B. MazurkiewiczDr. & Mrs. George M. McCloskey In memory of Theodore Z. AaronsMrs. Gloria A. Moser Ms. Joan T. Neustadter Dr. Robert E. Noga In memory of Theodore Z. AaronsMr. & Mrs. Dennis L. O’BrienMr. & Mrs. Thomas K. PowellReading Monthly Meeting of FriendsMr. & Mrs. Paul S. RittenhouseMs. Stephanie Kay RothMrs. Nancee Ryan Ms. Janet H. Schlegel Mr. Matthew T. SchrumMr. & Mrs. Willard F. SmithMr. & Mrs. Richard F. SpittlerMs. Rebecca E. Straus Mr. & Mrs. David J. Svenson In memory of Theodore Z. AaronsTrinity Lutheran ChurchMrs. Jenny L. Zehner
CONTRIBUTORS ($1 – $24)Ms. Doris M. FraserMs. Janet L. MooreMs. Nina QuagliaMr. & Mrs. Alvin F. Seyler, Jr.
COMMUNITY PARTNERSBerks Community Television (BCTV)Berks Connections Pretrial ServicesBerks County Community FoundationBerks County Workforce Development BoardCentro HispanoCovenant ChurchDoubleTree by HiltonEl Portico ChurchGoodwill Keystone AreaGreater Reading Chamber of Commerce and IndustryGreater Reading Immigration ProjectImmanuel United Church of ChristJimmie Kramer’s Peanut Bar Literacy Coalition of Central TexasMany Rivers Learning CenterMi Casa Su CasaMother Veronica Resource CenterMuhlenberg Community LibraryMuhlenberg Elementary CenterPennsylvania Area Health Education Center (AHEC)Pennsylvania Association of Adult and Continuing Education (PAACE)Pennsylvania CareerLink, Berks CountyPenn State BerksPenn State Hershey, St. JosephPitney BowesReading Area Community CollegeReading Berks Conference of Churches
Reading Elderly HousingReading Fightin PhilsReading Health SystemReading Muhlenberg Career and Technology CenterReading Public LibraryReading School DistrictSalvation ArmySt. Margaret’s SchoolTrinity Lutheran Church, ReadingTutors of Literacy in the Commonwealth (TLC)United Community ServicesUnited Way of Berks CountyWisdom 31YMCA of Reading
READERS WIN! CLASSROOM SPONSORSDr. Joel CavesMs. Janet C. ClemmerMr. Robert K. FleckMs. Bernice G. GehmanMr. & Mrs. Nicholas GiardielloMr. Matthew GoldstanMr. Darryl S. JeffriesMr. Steven KeiserMr. & Mrs. Jonathan F. MeterRob & Wendy Rio – Party Stars DJMr. & Mrs. David J. SvensonTrinity Lutheran ChurchMs. Janice Weaver
COPS ‘N KIDS CONTRIBUTIONSIN MEMORY OF HERB WACHSMs. Harriet M. BaskinMr. & Mrs. Martin B. BeckermanMr. & Mrs. Ronald J. BermanMrs. Shirley K. BoscovMr. & Mrs. Donald C. BristolMr. & Mrs. Eugene H. BrownMs. Suzanne Brubaker WeaverMr. & Mrs. Michael A. BudinMrs. Lois E. CohenMr. & Mrs. James T. ConnellyMs. Judith A. CopelandDr. & Mrs. Jeffrey DribenMr. & Mrs. William FranklinMr. & Mrs. Bernard FrommMs. Davida Fromm & FamilyMs. Austra GaigeMr. & Mrs. Ira GanslerMr. Bernard R. GerberMr. & Mrs. Jeffry GernsheimerMr. & Mrs. Edward F. GoldenMs. Deborah GoodmanMr. & Mrs. Michael E. GordonRichard & Lynda GordonMs. Rachelle GrossM. Thomas GrumbacherMr. & Mrs. Jan K. GubenMs. Roslyn M. Guben
Mr. & Mrs. Terry D. HandMr. & Mrs. Conrad HeismanMs. Diane D. HillMs. Linda W. HodgdonMr. & Mrs. Duncan E. HuffMs. Ruth S. IsenbergMr. Michael KastenbaumMr. Al KatzMr. & Mrs. Donald G. KellyEdwin H. Kershner & Marilyn WademanMr. & Mrs. Douglas L. Krinski Mr. & Mrs. Stephen F. LatmanDr. & Mrs. Elliott LeisawitzMr. & Mrs. Alan D. Liss Mr. & Mrs. Donald E. NolfOffit Kurman Attorneys at LawMr. & Mrs. D. Robert Oppenheimer, Jr.Mr. & Mrs. Michael D. PerilsteinMs. Julie A. Powsner Mr. & Mrs. Thomas D. ReeseSeth & Barbara RosenzweigDr. & Mrs. Larry RotenbergMs. Susan Rundle Mr. & Mrs. Paul Safir Ms. Marilyn F. SalpeterMs. Harriet Saper Mr. & Mrs. Judson SartainMr. Roger Schein Mr. William L. SchruferSenator Judith L. SchwankMs. Norma N. Sigal Ms. Sharon M. Stump Ms. Mary Ellen Swoyer Ms. Joanne C. TammaroMr. & Mrs. Theodore TaroneMs. Mary Diana Tirion M.C. Trippe Ms. Amy White Berger Mrs. Rosalye L. Yashek Dr. & Mrs. Eric B. Zelnick
IN-KIND DONATIONSREADERS WIN! DONATIONSAnonymousAnthony’s TrattoriaBerks LanesBerks PackagingBistro 614Chick-fil-A of ExeterCrowne PlazaDan’s at Green HillsDoubleTree by HiltonEffie’s Charcoal GrillFox TheatersFrank & Diannah’s Arbor InnFriendly’s RestaurantMoe’s Southwest Grill/ExeterOlive Garden Italian RestaurantOutback SteakhouseOutside In Restaurant & BarOzzy’s Sports Fun Center
The following organizations
and individuals made our
programs possible in 2017.
Donations received between
January 1, 2017 and December
31, 2017 are recognized here.
Every effort has been made
to list donors and volunteers
accurately. Please inform the
office of any corrections at
610.670.9960.
Jimmie Kramer’s Peanut BarPhilly PretzelR.M. Palmer CompanyReading Movies 11 + IMAXReading Public MuseumReading Royals HockeyRed Lobster RestaurantSantino’s Family RestaurantSchell’s Mini-GolfStopper’s Great Food & SpiritsThai CuisineThe Bridge InnWal-Mart/TempleWal-Mart/WyomissingYellow House Hotel & Restaurant
BINGO! PRIZE SPONSORSA Taste of ReadingAnita’s BiscottisAnnette Darity Garber Children’s BookBeauty WorksBerks PackingChick-fil-AGanley’s RestaurantGiant MarketsHoneybee Gardens Make-UpIron RootsMister Full Service Car WashMuddy Creek Soap CompanyPagoda GolfReading Country Club GolfReading United SoccerSprecher’s MeatsThe WorksThirty-OneTom Snyder PretzelsWeis MarketsWilliams Family Restaurant
BINGO! VENDOR DONATIONSAvonCocoa ExchangeInspiration BeadsJewelry in CandlesLularoe ClothingMary KayNeriumOrigami OwlPampered ChefPaparazzi JewelryPark Lane JewelryPink ZebraRodin & Fields Skin CareScentsyStylin’ Tea BlendsTastefully SimpleThirty-OneTupperwareUsborne Books & More
THE LITERACY COUNCIL OF READING-BERKS WOULD NOT BE CELEBRATING 49 YEARS OF SUCCESS WITHOUT THE DEDICATION AND COMMITMENT OF OUR GENEROUS DONORS, AMAZING VOLUNTEERS AND HARD-WORKING ADULT LEARNERS.
OUR STUDENTS’ STORIES PROVE THAT BUILDING A BRIGHTER FUTURE IS
POSSIBLE THROUGH LITERACY EDUCATION. THE PASSION OF AHELY AND RANDALL
REFLECTS OUR OWN, AS THEIR TRANSFORMATIONS ARE JUST
A FEW OF THE MANY LIVES THAT OUR BOARD, STAFF,
VOLUNTEERS AND DONORS HAVE IMPACTED.