Minnesota Literacy Council 2003 – 2004 Annual Report

Share the power of learning

Our Mission: To share the power of learning througheducation, community building, and advocacy.

That’s how we begin our annual “Partners in Literacy”conference, which brings together hundreds of adultlearners, volunteers and teachers to advance literacyin Minnesota. As beginning reading students sit sideby side with literacy professionals, everyone’s anequal – sometimes talking, sometimes listening, butalways learning from each other.

In 2003-2004, the Minnesota Literacy Council(MLC) continued to be a learning organization. Weobserved the changes in our communities, listened tothe needs of our students and volunteers, andrespected requests from our supporters. At a timewhen many nonprofits had to retrench, MLC held itsown – learning, adapting and, at the same time,reaching new heights. We’re proud to note:• By adding a dedicated volunteer outreach coordinator,

we increased volunteer queries by more than 50 percent,which in turn improved our level of service to localliteracy programs and their adult students.

• Through relocation of our Minneapolis adult learningcenters, we immediately filled our ESL (English as aSecond Language) classes with eager students fromincreasingly diverse neighborhoods.

• With increased collaboration with AmeriCorps*VISTA, wehelped establish the Early Literacy Corps, improvingschool readiness for at-risk Head Start children.

• By incorporating new evaluation methods, our LiteracyHome Visitors found new evidence of the vital role ofimmigrant parents in helping their preschoolers acquireearly literacy skills.

These are just a few accomplishments that arehighlighted in this annual report. We encourage youto read it thoroughly and give us your feedback. It’s away for us to “share the power of learning” witheach other. And set even higher goals for next year.

Judy Morgan Eric NesheimBoard President Executive Director

2

“We’re all learners here.”

Contents

Adult Direct Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-5• Serving neighborhoods with acute literacy needs• Optimizing learner successes with one-to-one and classroom options • Preparing immigrants and refugees for the rights and responsibilities of citizenship

Associate Program Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-7• Strengthening community literacy programs through resources and consultation• Advancing literacy through publications, workshops and conferences• Connecting learners and volunteers to literacy programs statewide

Volunteer Training and Outreach . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8• Preparing well-trained and effective volunteer tutors• Expanding the use of volunteers

Early Literacy Corps and Teacher Corps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9• Building school-readiness for Head Start children• Fostering professional development of teaching and education assistants

AmeriCorps*VISTA Programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10• Building local literacy programs across the state• Increasing reading success for at-risk, K-3 children

Words Work!. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11• Engaging parents in improving their children’s education• Preparing at-risk preschool children for school success

Financial Statements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Associate Programs, Staff and Board. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

2003-2004 Donors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14-15

3

Adult Direct Services

Many new and old partnerships blossomed in2003-2004 at MLC adult direct service sites. AtEast Metro Learning Center in East St. Paul,volunteer tutors were carefully matched withadult learners who thrived with individualizedinstruction and one-to-one help. Learner goalsranged from learning English, to preparing forthe GED, to mastering basic reading, math, andcomputer skills. In the same neighborhood, MLCcontinued its partnership with Sacred HeartChurch, serving an increasing number of ESLlearners from the Latino community.

At the MLC Functional Work Englishprogram, located in St. Paul’s Skyline Tower, twobilingual teachers prepared their students forthe American workplace. The adult learners,Somalis and East Africans receiving publicassistance, improved their English literacy andemployment skills.

Minneapolis ChangesMLC renewed its commitment to NortheastMinneapolis by offering expanded adult literacy

Learner. . . and Volunteer“Ahamadou Alassani came to Hiawatha Lake Learning Center in March. A refugeefrom Togo, he began rebuilding his life in the U.S. by setting to work increasing hisEnglish skills. In Togo, Ahamadou had been an electrical engineer. His first goal isto prepare for a U.S. college, where he will need to repeat his engineering studiesin order to pursue his professional interests. He also knows he needs Englishlanguage skills to navigate a new culture and a new city and become self-sufficient.

“Ahamadou works diligently on his English speaking and listening skills atHiawatha Lake. But in addition to being a student at the site, he became avolunteer. He tutors foreign-born students in math at the adjacent charter highschool. He helped set up the MLC computer lab, assembling chairs and installingsoftware – all while bringing a gentle sense of humor and an amazing work ethicto his tasks.

“To keep his mind off his troubles, Ahamadou says he needs to be busy. Hewillingly shares his skills, yet insists that he is the learner. His humility, generosityand wisdom have touched many people during his short time here.”

– Gail Irish, Hiawatha Lake Learning Center Coordinator4

services in space provided by Trinity United MethodistChurch. Ongoing evening ESL classes were supplemented withfull-day programming, including ESL, basic skills, GED andpre-GED, and computer instruction. Multi-cultural learners,primarily from Latin American countries, as well as American-born students attended classes or took advantage ofone-to-one tutoring options.

To maintain high-quality services and increaseaccountability, MLC reassessed services at Ubah EducationalResources and closed this downtown Minneapolis site.Resources were redirected to a new location, Hiawatha LakeLearning Center, that could meet the growing need for ESLinstruction in South Central Minneapolis. By the end of theprogram year classes at the new site were quickly filled byEast African and Latino students. A team of experiencedteachers led beginning-literacy through high-intermediateESL classes with the support of trained classroom volunteers.

At the Hiawatha Lake location MLC also partnered withtwo charter secondary schools to offer a high schooldiploma program for adult learners. Nearby, MLC continuedto work with Holy Rosary Church to serve Spanish-speakingand other immigrant communities through a volunteer-ledESL program.

CitizenshipWith support from the St. Paul Community LiteracyConsortium, MLC continued to provide citizenshipservices. MLC staff conducted citizenship classes at sixlocations for more than 100 students, all of whom passedtheir U.S. citizenship exam. Staff members also distributedvoter registration cards at swearing-in ceremonies, guidedstudents toward sources for legal assistance and helped themcomplete forms and navigate sometimes-challengingprocedures and systems.

MLC citizenship staff also worked aroundthe state to train teachers and volunteerson how to prepare immigrants seekingcitizenship. Training programs includedreproducible handouts and worksheetsand an overview of new citizenshipprocesses, forms and timelines. MLC alsoprovided a comprehensive list ofcitizenship resources at www.theMLC.org.

It’s Her Job, Plus the Little Things“Linda Markfort came to East Metro Learning Center to improve her basic readingskills through one-to-one tutoring. In a classroom setting at another school Lindahad worked hard and showed dedication to her studies, but she really neededindividual attention to achieve her basic reading goals.

“When Linda first arrived at East Metro, she couldn’t read past the first line inher placement test. Eager to learn, Linda began to study regularly with two tutors,one focusing on reading and phonics, and one working with her on computeractivities that build and reinforce basic skills.

“With time and effort, Linda has greatly improved her reading skills and nowreads material she once couldn’t. Linda says, ‘I can write a note where I couldn’tbefore. It’s just the little things.’”

— Colleen Casey, East Metro Learning Center Coordinator

“East Metro Learning

Center helps me to learn

how to read and spell.

If this school wasn’t here,

I’d probably be out of a

job. My boss found out I

couldn’t read.”

- Linda Markfort, MLC adult learner

5

Associate Program Services

Pride and Inspiration“We love ‘To Open Your Mind!’We use it in class periodically throughout theyear – sometimes to introduce a topic. It’spriceless to students and for me, as ateacher. It validates the students as ‘winners’– they are so proud when they see their storiesin print. It’s a big encouragement. It alsoinspires them as they read others’ stories.”

— Mary Hoffman, Mounds View ABE

6

To support improved literacy statewide, MLCprovides services to hundreds of local ABE (AdultBasic Education) programs in Minnesota. Last year,volunteer tutors at community literacy programsgave more than 150,000 hours to help adultsachieve their goals – building basic reading andmath skills, learning English and preparing for GEDand citizenship tests.

MLC helps local literacy programs in manyways: offering technical assistance and advice;training on volunteer and program managementissues; advising on curriculum selection andaccountability systems; and promoting networkingbetween programs. MLC also maintains a lendinglibrary of literacy resources and offers onlineprogram support.

Educational PublicationsLast year more than 440 contributors from over 90communities submitted stories to “To Open YourMind,” the MLC journal of writings by adultlearners. The publication recognizes learners fortheir accomplishments, and it has become a usefulteaching resource in many programs.

MLC publishes “Literacy Update” and “Literacy Landscape”to disseminate information to teachers, volunteers, and othersinterested in learning about and supporting literacy. “LiteracyUpdate” includes an insert for volunteers that features tutortips, teaching resources, and training schedules. Printededitions of “Literacy Landscape,” which is written specificallyfor ABE professionals, were supplemented last year with a newonline version of the publication.

Literacy WorkshopsMLC hosted its ninth annual “Partners in Literacy” conferencein April. Of 380 attendees, 165 were adult learners whojoined tutors, teachers and other literacy practitioners inhands-on workshops and leadership activities.

At the annual Volunteer Management Conference, MLCprovided 16 educational sessions on program managementissues. More than 60 literacy program coordinators from 28Minnesota communities attended.

Adult Literacy HotlineThe Adult Literacy Hotline continued to be popular and usefulfor adult learners, volunteers, social service providers and ABEprograms. MLC hotline staff handled more than 4,700 calls inEnglish and Spanish. The online database received 16,648hits, up from 13,302 for the previous year.

7

Technology ServicesMLC is dedicated to increasing the use of technology by ABEprofessionals, volunteers and students. Because deliveringresources and services via technology is an efficient andeffective way to meet statewide needs, MLC used the onlineenvironment for trainings and information sharing, including:

• A 10-week online course titled “Using Technology To Enhance theABE/ESL Curriculum.”

• The MLC Web site (www.theMLC.org), which offers a growingcollection of ABE resources.

• The MLC-hosted FirstClass communication software, which local ABEprograms use to facilitate resource-sharing and communication.

Other technology services highlights from last year include:

• MLC conducted 30 technology trainings across Minnesota andhosted in-service workshops at the MLC computer lab in St. Paul.

• At the Technology in Adult Literacy Conference more than 70ABE professionals participated in 12 hands-on sessions.

• MLC awarded four mini-grants to ABE teachers to developtechnology-related curricula for low-level learners.

Full Circle Results“MLC has had a positive impact on our program in so many ways, from the training and support of our staff and volunteers to theopportunities MLC offers for learner involvement. I have to say that the greatest impact I’ve seen has been on our learners.

“I’ve seen a shy, withdrawn immigrant from Togo submit a heartfelt poem to be published in “To Open Your Mind.” While at the“Partners in Literacy” conference he was asked to read his poem, and he courageously got up in front of hundreds of people to sharesomething very close to his heart.

“This is an example of how MLC’s work comes around full circle. This learner was tutored by MLC-trained volunteers, and as aresult of gaining confidence and English language skills, he was able to share something with people at the conference, and was alsomade to feel part of a broader, supportive community.

“It is learners like him that I’ve seen begin to take advantage of training opportunities through MLC, and now, those learners(after a lot of hard work and dedication) are becoming volunteers for our program. MLC has had both a powerful and empoweringeffect on our learners, and seeing our learners succeed is what motivates our staff and volunteers.”

— Kim Tauer, Education Coordinator, Hope Community, Inc.

Volunteer Training and Outreach

Recognizing that volunteers can truly mean the difference between successand failure for struggling adult learners, MLC added a volunteer outreachcoordinator to its staff. The coordinator’s recruitment and referral workcontributed to filled-to-capacity training sessions for new tutors.

More than 700 volunteers attended ESL and Literacy pre-servicetrainings. The 12-hour courses prepared the new tutors to teach Englishor reading in one-to-one or classroom settings. Attendance at in-serviceworkshops also increased: more than 600 people attended one or moreof 47 two-hour sessions. Topics covered a broad range, includinglearning disabilities, Somali culture, workforce English and citizenship.

By adding the volunteer outreach position, MLC met the needs ofAssociate Programs and their adult learners. From initial query toplacement, each tutor prospect received personalized attention. His orher interests and skills were carefully matched with an appropriatetraining workshop and the needs of a local literacy program. Throughthis process learners were well served, volunteers were satisfied, andprogram coordinators appreciated the extra support.

Children’s Tutor TrainingIn addition to training tutors to help adults, MLC offered trainings forvolunteers who tutor children in grades K-3. Nearly 50 Twin Citiesreading programs sent participants to the “ABCs of Reading” workshops.

Recruitment “Miracle”“At the end of May we needed 18 newvolunteers to begin teaching English with uson June 14th. In other words, we needed twoto three new volunteers each day for threeweeks straight.

“In short, we needed a miracle.We recruited non-stop from every place wecould think of. But the most fruitful andeffective place was MLC.

“Over half of our new volunteers werethrough referrals from Heather Cox (MLCVolunteer Outreach Coordinator) — sherecruited tirelessly, non-stop for us.

“And we were happy to know that thosevolunteers were ready to hit our classrooms ata run, and are more likely to be with us long-term, since they were through training withSuzanne McCurdy (MLC ESL TrainingCoordinator).

“This is our most successful summerrecruitment round ever, and it is due in nosmall part to Heather and Suzanne!”

— Nicole Pettitt, Adult Program Director,English Learning Center

8

Early Literacy Corps and Teacher Corps

The Early Literacy Corps, an AmeriCorps–Head Start partnership, beganits first year of operation in 2003-2004. Twenty-three AmeriCorpsmembers tutored children in four Head Start agencies: PICA inHennepin County; Anoka/Washington; Reach Up in St. Cloud; and Lakes& Pines in north central Minnesota.

Based on needs identified in the 2002 Minnesota School ReadinessStudy, Early Literacy Corps sought to: 1) improve early literacy skills infour-year-old Head Start children; 2) expand teaching skills of EarlyLiteracy Corps members and Head Start staff; 3) increase educationalopportunities for Head Start staff and parents through AmeriCorpseducation awards; and 4) expand volunteer capacity, emphasizingparent involvement in child literacy activities.

Program results indicated that participating children increased theirphonological awareness (rhyming, beginning sounds), vocabulary,and letter naming – all of which are critical foundations forreading success in first grade.

Early Literacy Corps members included Head Start staff andparents, individuals entering the workforce and recent collegegraduates. Members received a 17-hour early-literacy training andcoaches worked with ELC members throughout the year to helpidentify teaching activities that best support the children’s needs.

Teacher Corps ExpansionIn 2002-2003, MLC piloted Teacher Corps, aprogram in which teaching assistants tutor K-3children and develop service-learningprojects. With successful outcomes from thepilot, MLC set the stage in 2003-2004 towiden the program’s geographic reach beyondthe Twin Cities. A ServeMinnesota planninggrant enabled MLC to research teacherdemand and children’s literacy needs aroundthe state. New Teacher Corps sites wereidentified for 2004-2005 in the seven-countymetro area as well as Southern Minnesota –where growing refugee/immigrant andmigrant populations urgently need literacyand English skills.

Also during 2003-2004, eight outstandingTeacher Corps members from the prior yearserved as “Select Corps” members, continuingtheir service to K-3 children in schools andafter-school tutoring programs and receivinga small education award.

9

Early Literacy Corps (ELC) Results

Pre-Literacy Preschool Preschool ELCMeasures Students Students in Participating

Poverty Students

Picture Naming 0.44 0.28 0.83

Rhyming 0.38 0.95 1.17

Alliteration 0.38 0.25 0.50

“This program gave me an opportunity to extendmyself – in my job andpersonally – and to helpstudents.That experience is a truly rewarding onethat I won’t forget.”

— a “Select Corps” Teacher Corps member

AmeriCorps*VISTA Programs

Thirty-five MLC yearlong AmeriCorps*VISTA (Volunteers In Service ToAmerica) members served throughout Minnesota in 2003-2004. The VISTAsrecruited more than 6,000 volunteers to tutor 13,000 children, youth andadults. The Minnesota Literacy Council provided the VISTA members withsupport and training so that they could expand literacy programs and fightpoverty in local communities. Some VISTA projects included:• Connecting service-learning students at colleges and universities with

literacy projects in their communities;• Organizing and implementing literacy and homework help projects;• Recruiting volunteers and developing curricula for Adult Basic Education,

English as a Second Language and Citizenship classes.

Summer ReadsThe MLC Summer Reads program successfully served more than 5,000 low-income, K-3 emerging readers thanks to 25 dedicated VISTA members. TheVISTAs tutored students in summer schools and led group literacy activitiesat neighborhood sites in Minneapolis and Saint Paul.

The Summer Reads VISTAs helped students raise their readingscores: tutored students showed more than twice the improvement ofnon-tutored students. These results – plus growing confidence andenthusiasm for reading – reflect the impact of one-to-one attention forstruggling readers.

Metro State Read! Read! Read!“A favorite of mine from this year was a readingchallenge for the first graders at Dayton’s BluffElementary. After ten weeks and a lot of hardwork (particularly from a few of the MetropolitanState tutors), all of the students completed theirgoal of reading 21 books and were rewarded at aceremony.

“One of my favorite moments came when Ipresented wrapped boxes of books to each of theteachers and announced that each of thestudents would be able to pick out two books totake home. They responded heartwarmingly, bybursting into claps and cheers — to see these kidsget so excited about reading was extremelyrewarding (as were all the hugs).”

— Caitlin Moore, yearlong VISTA

10

11

During the 2003-2004 program year, MLC Literacy Home Visitorscontinued their successful work with RAP Head Start families whoparticipated in the St. Paul Foundation’s Words Work! program. MLCstaff members visited monthly with the multi-cultural families, bringingbooks, simple materials and research-based information to support andeducate parents about their critical role in their child’s learning.

Because the level of parent engagement during each visit is acritical factor in making change, the Literacy Home Visitors increasedtheir repertoire of strategies that involved parents more directly. Thisincluded setting goals with families, offering more direct suggestionsfor follow-up activities, and revising assessment instruments.

Program evaluation showed that after 5 to 10 home visits theWords Work! families made statistically significant gains in reading totheir children, telling stories, and having more books in the home.Families also increased in literacy knowledge and awareness of theimportance of their own role in their children’s educations. Parentslearned to recognize the print-rich environment right in their ownhome: calendars, mail, cereal boxes, signs, and other everyday itemsbecame resources for learning letters and print rules.

This and other information gathered from evaluations of WordsWork! families will be used during the 2004-2005 program year as MLCestablishes the Literacy Home Visiting Project, an off-shoot of theWords Work! effort.

Bilingual Benefits“When I started meeting with Yeshu, herdaughter Marta had many behavior challenges.Now Marta is truly one of the best-behavedstudents in her class and is reading off the charts.Her four-year-old sister, Hana, already knows herABCs, can read her name and can count to 50.

“Yeshu and her children are Ethiopian. ButYeshu was reluctant to speak and read to her kidsin their native language of Tigrinia. I broughtfolktale books about Ethiopia that we readtogether. We created a bingo game of animalpictures and names in English and Tigrinia. Thekids and their mom got excited and laughed andlearned together. I helped Yeshu understand thatreading and speaking to her children in Tigriniahelps them develop fundamental literacy skillsthat last a lifetime.”

— Kate Krueger, MLC Literacy Home Visitor

More Parent Involvement

ReadTogether

5.0

4.5

4.0

3.5

3.0

2.5

2.0

1.5

1.0Tell Child

StoryOthersRead To Child

Words Work!

Statement of Financial Position

12

June 30, 2004 and 20032004 2003

AssetsCash and Cash Equivalents $ 745,924 $ 602,895Accounts Receivable 9,207 2,601Grants Receivable 925,786 660,022Prepaid Expenses 6,916 8,339Equipment, Net of Accumulated Depreciation 58,085 92,707

Total Assets $1,745,918 $1,366,564

Liabilities and Net Assets

LiabilitiesAccounts Payable $ 71,373 $ 68,082Capital Lease Payable 2,843 5,054Accrued Expenses 36,388 27,361Deferred Revenue 12,291 20,927

Total Liabilities 122,895 121,424

Net AssetsUnrestricted

Undesignated 241,992 247,721Designated by Board of Directors 475,000 475,000

Temporarily Restricted 906,031 522,419Total Net Assets 1,623,023 1,245,140

Total Liabilities and Net Assets $1,745,918 $1,366,564

Statement of ActivitiesJune 30, 2004 and 2003 2004 2003

Unrestricted Temporarily Total Unrestricted Temporarily TotalRestricted Restricted

Support and RevenuesCorporation/Foundation Grants $ 46,700 $ 661,844 $ 708,544 $ 45,317 $ 500,074 $ 545,391Government Grants — 2,221,531 2,221,531 — 2,043,028 2,043,028Special Events 35,853 — 35,853 27,467 — 27,467Contributions 78,378 964 79,342 62,690 5,064 67,754Program Service Fees 29,669 — 29,669 26,234 — 26,234Pass-through Grants 0 — – 57,787 — 57,787Interest 10,926 — 10,926 5,670 — 5,670

Subtotal Support and Revenues 201,526 2,884,339 3,085,865 225,165 2,548,166 2,773,331

Net Assets Released from Restrictions2,500,727 (2,500,727) — 2,558,126 (2,558,126) —

Total Support and Revenues 2,702,253 383,612 3,085,865 2,783,291 (9,960) 2,773,331

ExpensesProgram Services 2,398,676 — 2,398,676 2,494,382 — 2,494,382Management and General 200,764 — 200,764 208,337 — 208,337Fundraising 108,542 — 108,542 113,939 — 113,939

Total Expenses 2,707,982 — 2,707,982 2,816,658 — 2,816,658

Change in Net Assets (5,729) 383,612 377,883 (33,367) (9,960) (43,327)

Beginning Net Assets 722,721 522,419 1,245,140 756,088 532,379 1,288,467

Ending Net Assets $ 716,992 $ 906,031 $1,623,023 $ 722,721 $ 522,419 $1,245,140

Complete copies of MLC financial statements are available upon request.

Financial Statements

13

2003-2004 Associate ProgramsAdult Options in EducationAlbert Lea Literacy Project Alexandria ABEArea Adult Learning CooperativeArrowhead Economic Opportunity

Agency, Inc.Austin ABEBasilica ChurchBemidji ABEBlue Earth Literacy Project Brainerd Learning Project Brown County Literacy ProjectCambridge-Isanti ABECapitol Hill English SchoolCarver Scott Educational CooperativeCass Lake-Bena ABECatholic CharitiesCenter for Victims of TortureCentral Minnesota ABEChicanos Latinos United in Service

(CLUES) – MinneapolisChicanos Latinos United in Service

(CLUES) – St. Paul Chisago Lakes Literacy Project CommonBond CommunitiesCourage CenterDakota Prairie ABEDetroit Lakes ABEDuluth Adult Learning CenterEarly Childhood Resource and

Training CenterEnglish Learning CenterFaribault ABEFaribault County ABEFaribault County Library Literacy

Partnership Franklin Learning CenterFreshwater ABEGranite Falls ABEGuadalupe Alternative ProgramsGuatemalan Latinos United EffortHastings ABEHiawatha Valley ABEHibbing Literacy Action Center Highland Mac-Groveland Family CenterHmong American Partnership Holy Rosary ChurchHope CommunityISD #191 School for AdultsISD #196 ABEISD #465, Community EducationISD #622, North St. Paul, Maplewood,

OakdaleInstitute for New Americans International Falls Literacy ActionJackson ABEJewish Community CenterJewish Family and Children’s ServicesLakes and Prairies ABELakeville Area Learning Center/Options in

Adult Education

Lao Family English SchoolLEAP English AcademyLincoln English Language SchoolLuverne ABEMadelia ABEMahtomedi ABEMankato Literacy ProjectMarshall Area Adult Learning CenterMartin County Literacy ProjectMetro North ABEMinneapolis Public Schools ABEMinnesota Chinese Service CenterMinnesota Internship Center Charter

SchoolMinnewaska Literacy Project Moorhead ABEMORE Multicultural School for

EmpowermentMorris ABEMounds View Public Schools ABENeighborhood HouseNorth St. Paul ABEOsseo ABEOwatonna ABEPathways to Success ABE Program Pelican Rapids Literacy ProjectPerson to PersonPillsbury HousePine City Literacy ProjectPPL IndustriesRobbinsdale ABERochester Adult Literacy ProjectRosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan ABERoseville Adult Learning CenterSHAPE (Volunteer Connection)Sabathani Community CenterSt. Anthony Park Lutheran ChurchSt. Charles Community EducationSt. Croix River Education District ABESt. Paul Public Schools ABESalvation Army English Language

ProgramSauk Centre/Melrose Literacy ProjectSomalian Women’s AssociationSouth Suburban ABESouth Washington County ABEStillwater Area Schools Community

Education ABEUnited Cambodian Association of

MinnesotaUrban Communities Association of

MinneapolisVietnamese Social ServicesWaseca ABEWEST ABE Consortium Westonka ABEWillmar ABEWinona Adult Literacy World ReliefWorthington Area Learning Center

StaffHassan Abdillahi, FWE TeacherMarya Abraham, ESL TeacherStephen Ashcroft, VISTA LeaderJessica Ayers, Early Literacy Corps

AssistantJason Brazier, Technology Services

SpecialistJane Cagle, Communications SpecialistNicole Carson, ESL TeacherColleen Casey, Direct Service Site

CoordinatorMegan Conley, Summer Reads

CoordinatorHeather Cox, Volunteer Outreach

CoordinatorJanna Dethmers, Accounting

Assistant/Referral SpecialistDesiree Fintel, ESL TeacherAnne Gomez, Teacher Corps CoordinatorCathy Grady, Program DirectorGuy Haglund, Senior Office ManagerMarian Hassan, Literacy Home Visitor Paula Hastings, Literacy Home VisitorVicki Hawley, Early Literacy CoordinatorDeborah Holbrook, Controller Gail Irish, Direct Service Site CoordinatorZakaria Ismail, FWE TeacherRyan Johnson, Community

Services ManagerStacy Johnson, Teacher Corps AssistantMelissa Ketelsen, ESL TeacherKathleen Klumb, SPELL CoordinatorKate Krueger, Literacy Home Visitor

CoordinatorGarrett LePage, Direct Service Site

CoordinatorAstrid Liden, Adult Direct Services

ManagerRon Mazurowski, Citizenship TeacherSuzanne McCurdy, ESL Training

CoordinatorValerie Mettler, ESL TeacherEric Nesheim, Executive DirectorSadiann O’Connor, Early Literacy

Corps CoordinatorRob Podlasek, Senior Training ManagerNima Salehi, ESL SpecialistJessica Schachterle, ESL/Computer

TeacherJenny Schlukebier, Technology

Services ManagerVallay Moua Varro, Early Literacy

ManagerWendy Wehr, Development DirectorTerri Werner, Literacy Home VisitorAlyssa Wetzel, Referral Specialist/ABE

Data CoordinatorSunny Yang, Literacy Home Visitor

Board of DirectorsJudy Morgan – President, CSD

of MinnesotaJoan Berg – Treasurer, Thermo King

CorporationLaura Lazar – Management Chair, Thrivent

Financial for LutheransSusan Cowsert, Edina RealtyBilquis Dairkee, Community

RepresentativeDen Gardner, Gardner & Gardner

CommunicationsMarcia Garton, International Institute of

MinnesotaAlissa Haller, Ernst & YoungRobert Hanvik, Medtronic, Inc.Shagufta Husen, State

Rehabilitation ServicesJeanne Jacobson, HealthEast Care SystemGinny Latocki, Western National

Insurance CompanyMary Luther, Star TribunePreeti Mathur, Community RepresentativeKate Olson, Community RepresentativeJudith Walker, Blue Cross and Blue Shield

of MinnesotaBeth Grover Wiederholt, Minnesota Life

Insurance Company

Associates, Staff and Board

14

ORGANIZATIONS3M FoundationAAUW, Minneapolis Branch Achievement DataElmer and Eleanor Andersen FoundationHugh J. Andersen FoundationAnderson Agency InsuranceAthwin FoundationBasilica Literacy ProgramBORNConnect Us-RussiaDeluxe Corporation FoundationLivingston Griggs/Griggs Burke FoundationHalf Price BooksHennepin County AFSCME Local 34Highlands Elementary School PTAHubbard FoundationI.C. System, Inc. E.C.H.O. ProgramImationING FoundationJostens FoundationMark Kirkbride and AssociatesKopp Family FoundationLocal 7200 Communications Workers

of AmericaMardag FoundationMcKnight FoundationMedtronic FoundationMesabi Literacy Council, Inc.Metris Companies FoundationMidwest Fiction WritersMinnesota Masonic HomeMinnesota Mutual FoundationMinnesota Newspaper AssociationNelson, Tietz and HoyeNodin PressOak Grove FoundationOliver for Senate CommitteePentair FoundationGeorge Peters Design and IllustrationPitney BowesREELL Precision Manufacturing Corp.The Saint Paul FoundationServCom AssociatesSmith Family Fund of the Minneapolis Jewish

FederationSt. Anthony Park BankSt. Croix FoundationSt. Paul Companies, Inc. FoundationSt. Peders Evangelical Lutheran ChurchTarget Corporation/Marshall Field’sThermo KingThomson WestThrivent Financial for LutheransWal-Mart StoresR.J. Walser FoundationH.E. and Helen R. Warren FoundationWestern National Insurance GroupWords At WorkXcel Energy FoundationZion Baptist Church

INDIVIDUALS$1,000 or moreAdair, Helen V.Harpole, RuthRogers, John and Lois

$500 or moreAnonymous donorsHansen, Amy and Schmidt, WalterChernow, Paige and Konings, Mark

Dunifon, KarenHauwiller, AlfredHoye, Tina and DennisKlinkhammer, Dale and Stone, JoanneWalker, Judith

$250 or moreAnonymous donorsBerg, Joan Koerber and Berg, EricBurke, Jim and NancyDorn, PaulDoty, David S. and Mary W.Fulk, Howard and JudithHaller, AlissaLeonard, Brian and MarthaMcKee, Scott and MarilynNesheim, Carole and JosephOdegard, LindaPeterson, Kirsten and JimRumpza, RobertVelett, Kirk and LaurieWark, Mary Ann and DavidWilke, John W. and Jan

$100 or moreAnonymous donorsAltstatt, Gene and MarciaAndersen, LaraBardwell, Christine PetersonBayerl, Randy and SusanBunnett, Alfred and NancyCajacob, Mary and Eisenberg, PeterCheney, MarciaConnolly, PhebeConzemius, Bob and NicoleCopenhaver, JohnCree, EllenCytron-Hysom, TomDairkee, BilquisDasburg, John and Mary LouDiggs-Kleber FamilyDueltgen, Ron and LoisDworsky, ShirleyFeshbach, Andrea and MarkFleig, BarbaraFrench, Shari and TimothyGilmore, ElizabethGoldfein, Judith and MelvinHanson, MiriamHesselroth, Karen and Peterson, TimothyHeymans, Mark and Burleigh, DonnHolm, Alice Shallbetter and Holm, DavidHoule, Cheryl M.Johnson, Butch and Kraut, BilleeKeller, AudraKing, AnneLaird, David and JoanneLarson, Carolyn and RichardLauer, Greg and Mai-TramLazar, Laura K.Luther, MaryMacEachern, PhilipMcGinnis, Jill and RobertMelander, MaureenMelnick, MaryMiley, Tim and MaryMiller, MildredMuchow, WilliamMyers, Peter and KarlaNesheim, Eric and MirthaNiemiec, Dick and Joan

Olson, KateParker, ElizabethPitner, Kolean and Wilson, RichardPoncin, JohnPrentiss, Judy and RobertSchenian, Dale and BettySchneider, ThomasSchreurs, Raymond and LeolaSeroshek, ToniSmith, MaureenStabenow, Grant and MaryleeStephens, William and JudithStults, KathySutter-Maas, JeffreySwedeen, Brian and Burnor, TerriThimmesh, Doris and RobertUschold, RosanneVanden Plas, Larry and SuzanneVergeront, Jeanne and Dick, AndrewWallis, LillianWelshons, John and LoisWirth-Johnson, Margaret and Johnson, JimWray, BetsyZinos, Nicholas

Under $100Anonymous donorsAamodt, Arthur and AliceAddison, Mary JaneAkhtar, Moiz and DurresaminAllen, Barbara and ChipAmundson, WendyAnderson, JaniceAnderson, MaryAndrea, AlexAndrews, Jim and NettieAustin-Roehler, ChristineBabler, Greg and Van Roekel, MarthaBarbis, MargaretBauer, Marvin and HelenBeltran, Raiza Bendel, Julie Thalhuber and ChrisBergstrom, Jane and HowardBjornson, Nancy and RagnarBlenkush, MickiBodell, Sister StephenBonne, MarshaBorgh, MaryBossenmaier, MonicaBoylan, Mary Kate and Verner, RickBraeunig, JanBratland, Kathy and RogerBrauer, SusanBreslermann, RuthBronson, Edgerton and MarlysBrooks, Bernice and HortonBrown Mascioli, Susan and Mascioli, StephenButler, Chuck and LisbethByrne, MaryCahalan, PaulineCampbell, Patti and BenCan, Brenda LeeCarey, PatriciaCarty, SylviaCaspersen, Millie and PaulChrist, EricaCitron, Ellen and PaulConnolly, LouiseCornwell, LynnCovey, Nancy H.Cowsert, SusanCroes, LynneDaly, EleanorDavies, KendrickDeCoster, JulieDeGroot, Dean

DeRosier, GingerDethmers, Gordon and SusanDixon, JanetDuFresne, Jeffrey and JorjaDunn, JamesEnstad, JamesErickson, Marilyn E.Ewert, WilliamFallat, JudyFehrenbach, Paul and DonnaFelker, Barbara and ArthurFelker, David and LindaFiola, Jerry and JudyFisher, Robert D. and LindaFitzgerald, KimFlorance, M. J.Fraser, Thomas and Strand, MaryFristik, John and Rupp, CynthiaFuller, CarolFuller, Susan J.Gaines, SuzanneGardner, DanGeorgens, Kay and RodneyGerlach, BarbaraGilanshah, FereshtehGrant, Debra Nelson and Todd FlemingGrass, BerdellaGreen, Tom and Gadbois Green, GinnyGreenbaum, Larry and AliceGreenfield, Alton and AudreyGuiney, JoeGuss, LucilleGyurci, ValHaglund, Roger and FayeHague, Patti and Merrill, BarbaraHaley, CorneliaHamermesh, Morton and MadelineHannes, KurtHardwick, Zola and EugeneHart, Jean E.Hart, JulieHawley, Vicki and DaleHays, DarleneHealy, BeatriceHedeen, Joyce and JimHedlund, PaulHeimann, NorbertHenderson, Stuart Christopher and MelanieHillerman, KarenHodges, Barbara WaltersHollingsworth, GordonHotaling, LeisaHoward, JulianaHughes, VirginiaHusen, ShaguftaJackson, OzellaJacobson, Erica and TomJenkins, Marjorie L.Jorgens, Gayle A.Jukulen, Inez E.Keiser, Tom and Furlong, EileenKendle, Terri and Sievers, PhilKeppler, BettyKeyes, AnitaKittenger, BarbaraKline, Jim and JaneKlug, Holly and JohnKonu, FlorenceKozitza, JerryLande, Donna and SheldonLarson, Curtis and MarjorieLatocki, GinnyLawrence, PatLaxdal, Sue and StefanLayton, Pamela and Giguere, PaulLearn, Carrie

2003-2004 DonorsJuly 1, 2003 – June 30, 2004

15

Leicinger, GayleLeiste, Sara MarieLelievre, StewartLentz, Chuck and Rose, BarbLevine, Barbie and Newberger, Sara LynnLindgren, Anne WinslowLittle, Peggy and LindsayLoff, Gary and Curley, DeniseLynk, Ruby L.Lyons, BillMackie, AndreaMaglich, GretchenMalecki, KathleenMaltz, EmilyMarchwick, KellyMarks, Darlene and JerryMarshall, Judith and ToddMatts, Le Hutchins and JohnMazur, CelesteMcIntire, CatherineMcNab, Meredith A.McVay, Christine and ToddMelnick, Laura and Dahlager, MarkMenninga, BethMichaelson, MargaretMohabir, KatyMohseni, Navid and Kousha, MahnazMurakami, JudyMurray, GordonMurray, SusanNelson, Marilyn and DouglasNesheim, David and TamiNetwal, KarenNolan, CarolynNorling, KeithNygren, JimOgden, ElinorOlsen, Alis and BarneyOlson, PollyOnslow, RichardOrton, Carole and DavidOstrom, Vicki LynnPaist, Jennifer and Teigen, TomPederson, William and EleanorePercy, Pamela and Jackson, RogerPeterson, Cheryl and Schaefer, KrisPeterson, Donna and RichardPike, LorrainePrince, Robb and JackieQuay, GingerQuimby, Charlie amd Cushman, SusanRamalingam, VivianRanney, Susan and Shapiro, BrianRausch, DorisRead, Mark and SueReader, Mark and DorothyRhodus, Patti and NelsonRice, Melissa and TimothyRiesman, SuzanneRobbins, Emma B.Robinson, KarenRosenbrook, Dee and RobertRouda, Ilona and RobertRussell, PatriseSanders, GeraldSandkamp, JoanSansone, NancySchally, MargaretSchlukebier, Jack and JudithSchlukebier, Jenny and Woolman, BenSchmitz, ConnieScholer, MarySchuman, VickiSeek, ShirleyShaw, DennisShelver, Elizabeth

Siller, DeborahSmall, SuzanneSmith, Marilyn R.Smukler, Sue and Milavitz, BrianSolseng, Claudine and PhilipSpitzer, Susanne and DavidStanville, RichardStater, Catherine and Weir, DennisStengel, EvaStevens, Jim and RuthStevens, TedStright, Lois and RichardStrong, Gene and SharonStuhlman, Sheila and Crippen, JohnSutfin, LoisSuttie, Mary JoSwanberg, ShirleeSwanson, JuneSweetser, KateThompson, BarbaraThornbury, NancyTierney, JoanneTitus, Jack and MarciaTorodor, Sharon Farsht and BillTrostel, ParkerTrulen, JohnTschida, JanetTuchscherer, James and GerdUnowsky, Cynthia and Badow, ThomasUtter, CarolWallner, Scott and ThereseWangensteen, Peg and DougWedin, JoAnnWedl, Kathy and RobertWehr, Mark and DeborahWehr, WendyWells, Keith and SharonWhite, ThomasWillis, RaymondWolf, Bruce and BeckyWolf, Norman and JoanneZimmerman, DeborahZisla, Debbie and PaulZweber, Pauline

DONOR-DESIGNATED PLEDGESDesignated gifts received through workplacegiving programs, America’s Charities,Community Solutions Fund and Greater TwinCities United WayAnonymous DonorsHaller, AlissaKarlen, KellyKippley, CharlesLewis, RuthNisell, JoyO’Neill, JenniferRamerth, JaneSiemens Caring Hands Donors Voith, Rob

EVENT SUPPORT AND IN-KIND GIFTSA. Johnson and Sons FloristsAdelphia MetalsAffiance FinancialAgenziaBaker’s SquareBerg, Joan KoerberBillingham, LisaBishop, DanBrazier, JasonCagle, JaneCafe LatteCashman, MarkCayer, JohnChanhassen Dinner Theater

Colle+McVoy, Inc.Conzemius, BobCrossmarkCSDCub FoodsDoty, David S.Dunifon, KarenDunn Bros. CoffeeEdina Realty Home ServicesFast Horse, Inc.Fintegra Financial SolutionsFlint Hills Resources, LPFrench, Shari and TimGardner, DanGardner, Sandy and DenGardner and Gardner CommunicationsGeneral MillsGoering, ChadGraves, McKenna, Lundeen and AlmquistGrayson, JeffGuthrie TheaterHaglund, GuyHaller, AlissaHanvik, Robert Hilton MinneapolisHitchcock, FranHodapp, MathewHoisser, PaulHoward, KimJenks, MarkJohnson, LarryMelissa L. Johnson Real Estate Inc.Johnson, RyanJordan, Lani (Mary)Jostens, Inc.Khan’s Mongolian BarbecueKincaid’sKocon, Craig and LoisKQQL 108Kruger, Gordon and JeanLagoon CinemaLaser GraphicsLatocki, GinnyLawrence University Alumni Assn., Twin CitiesLawson SoftwareLocal 7200 Communications Workers

of AmericaLundquist, DavidM&I Bank - MinnesotaMall of AmericaMcDonald’s CorporationMcNeilus SteelMHC AssociatesMinnesota State Highway PatrolMinnesota TwinsMinnesota VikingsMinnesota WildMinnesota ZooMississippi MarketMixed Blood TheaterMoore, ChrisMorgan, JudyMuchlinski, ThomasMurakami, JudyMurphy, Ralph and JanNew Prague Chamber of CommerceNice Shots Custom GolfOdegard, LindaOld Log TheaterPark Square TheaterPeet, DonPi Beta PhiPierson, CarolPodlasek, RobPrior Lake Heating/Air ConditioningRadisson Plaza Hotel Minneapolis

RE/MAX Dynamic AssociatesRumpza, BobSchumacher’s New Prague HotelScience Museum of MinnesotaSletten, ScottSmith, David and AliciaSpotlight AdvertisingSt. Paul Chamber OrchestraStarbucks CoffeeSubway Sandwiches and Salad ShopSyngenta Crop Protection, Inc.Target Corporation/Marshall Field’sTheatre de la Jeune LuneTreasure Island Resort and CasinoTurf and Ornamental CommunicatorsUniversity Film SocietyUniversity TheaterValley View Golf CourseVarro, VallayWarner, WendiWeber Shandwick WorldwideWells Fargo Bank, New PragueWestern National Insurance GroupWhite Bear Township TheaterWillette, Brady

THOMAS M. KRAEMER MEMORIALEDUCATION GRANT FUNDBurke, Nancy and JimCourtney, CatherineCourtney, N. Warn and JeanHoye, Tina and DennisKraemer, Francis and MargaretKraemer, Kenneth and KarenKraemer, Mike and LindaKraemer, Phil and LaurieRoberts Saindon, Walter and KatieWalley, Percy

RECOGNITION GIFTSIn Honor of:Roger Betz: Betz, Charles and

Magdalene, SuzanneChinese students of: Haertel, CharlesESL instructors: Stedje, DonnaFamily of: Peters, MarieKali Freeman: Works, JohnAgnes Greene: Copeland, HarlanErwin Kelen: Kelen, MiriamAnne Marie Leland: Leland, John and Kranz,

JodyLiteracy Tutors: Smith, NancyBethany Magness: Simmonds, SusanAudrey and Don Mahr: Lubinski, David and

LindaMLC staff: Myers, SherryRichard Muellerleile: Steinhagen, VirginiaSherry Myers: Yager, Don and Groger, RichardMel and Agnes Platt: Rodriguez, KaariAl Quie: Bensman, Carol and AlanJackie Sheehan: Carlson, DawnMyles Stenshoel: Bensman, Carol and Alan

In Memory of:Mark Digre: Mueller, Walter and TerryPauline Lambert: Nequette, MerrittAlex McLeod: McLeod, CarolynRev. Grant Quill: Ellis, Claire and GeraldSvea Smith: Drentlaw, David and Smith, WendyMuriel Souba: Souba, FredEvan Stiebler: Stiebler, LaurelKarl Wehr: Conneman, George and DianeLorle Wurdak: South Suburban ABE

MLC apologizes for any errors or omissions. Please forward corrections to Jane Cagle-Kemp at jcagle@theMLC.org or 651-645-2277, ext. 234.

756 Transfer RoadSt. Paul, Minnesota 55114-1404651.645.2277800.225.READwww.theMLC.org